As Thomas Rhett namechecks more than a dozen country smashes in his latest hit, “What’s Your Country Song,” he’s sharing his story — as well as yours.
For TR, one of the cornerstones is his dad, singer/songwriter Rhett Akins.
“It was really interesting the way that we started to progress the song,” he explains. “I actually threw one of my dad’s song titles, ‘That Ain’t My Truck,’ in the second verse.”
“So, we picked a lot of songs that I feel like really shaped me as an artist,” he continues, “and put those into the verses. And then hopefully when the listener’s listening they don’t really hear the song titles, but it sounds more like a story.”
Thomas also hopes “What’s Your Country Song” will set you on a trip down memory lane — and make you feel young again.
“The more they listen to the song, I hope they can kinda go through and be like, ‘Oh my gosh, I love that song. I love that song,'” he reflects.
“But I’m also wanting them to make their own interpretation of the song,” he adds, “and go, ‘Man, what were my songs that kind of defined my life? What songs did I hear on the radio, that when I hear ’em today as a 30-year-old or a 40-year-old, it makes me feel 17 again?'”
“What’s Your Country Song” is just the first taste of TR’s upcoming double album, Country Again, with the eleven-track Side A set to arrive April 30.
If that weren’t enough to keep the father-of-three busy, he’s also just launched his own Dos Primos brand of premium tequila with his cousin, Georgia pecan magnate Jeff Worn.
Matthew Jonas/MediaNews Group/Boulder Daily Camera via Getty ImagesBY: BILL HUTCHINSON, ABC NEWS
(DENVER) — An out-of-control street party near the campus of the University of Colorado, Boulder, on Saturday drew up to 800 people, most appearing to be college-aged, prompting violent clashes with SWAT police who deployed at least one armored vehicle to disperse the crowd, according to authorities.
The bedlam ensued in the University Hill neighborhood as hundreds of people took to the streets just blocks from the university campus, most dispensing with COVID-19 social distancing rules and mask wearing, according to a social media post authenticated by ABC News shows.
During the several hours of chaos, rowdy revelers shooting off fireworks are alleged to have thrown bricks and rocks at police, flipped over a private car and caused heavy damaged to a police armored vehicle and a fire truck, according to a spokesperson for the Boulder Police Department. Three Boulder SWAT team members suffered minor injuries, the spokesperson said.
“Regarding what happened tonight on University Hill, the Boulder Department is reviewing all body worn camera footage and shared social media videos/photos to identify the individuals involved in damaging property and assaulting first responders,” the Boulder Police Department said in a tweet early Sunday.
Colorado University, Boulder, officials condemned the conduct and threatened to permanently expel any student found to have attacked police and other first responders during the mayhem.
“It is unacceptable and irresponsible, particularly in light of the volume of training, communication and enforcement the campus and city have dedicated to ensuring compliance with COVID-19 public health orders. CU Boulder will not tolerate any of our students engaging in acts of violence or damaging property,” the university’s statement said.
Police started receiving complaints about 7 p.m. of a large gathering at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and 10th Street, about five blocks west of the university campus. At round 8:30 p.m., a SWAT team in an armored vehicle rolled into the neighborhood and a police officer on a loud speaker was heard ordering the crowd to disperse, saying, “This is an unlawful assembly.”
“Due to riot conditions, you are ordered to leave the area. You must leave the area immediately. If you fail to leave, you will be subject to arrest and the use of tear gas,” the police announced.
It was not immediately clear if police used tear gas on clear the street.
By 9 p.m., most of the revelers had cleared out.
“Detectives will review every lead we have to identify and arrest those responsible for this reprehensible and unacceptable behavior,” Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold said in a tweet.
Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty released a statement on Sunday, saying his office is working with police detectives to identify suspects who “should be held fully responsible for their outrageous actions.”
“Our community was put at risk last night by the individuals involved in the incident in the Hill area. Their callous disregard for our community’s safety and well-being is shameful,” Dougherty’s statement said. “There is no excuse for this conduct, especially while the people of this community endure the pandemic.”
The episode erupted as police and prosecutors were already investigating possible criminal and civil violations stemming from an off-campus party at an apartment building in the same University Hill neighborhood that occurred over the previous weekend, according to ABC affiliate station KMGH-TV in Denver. A screen recording of a Snapchat video taken by someone at the party was shared on social media, showing dozens of people at the event with no social distancing going on or masks being worn, according to KMGH.
In October, the City of Boulder issued a mandatory two-week quarantine for four properties in the neighborhood, city officials told KMGH, adding most are associated with fraternities.
ABC News’ Jeffrey Cook contributed to this report.
(ATLANTA)– Philadelphia star Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons will miss the All-Star game after coming in contact with someone who has since tested positive for COVID-19, the league announced Sunday.
ESPN NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski reports the pair were in contact with a Philadelphia barber. The barber tested positive following an inconclusive positive coronavirus test.
Wojnarowski says the two players traveled to Atlanta in private planes and have remained in quarantine, which is protocol for all participants. They have not had any contact with other players at the All-Star game.
The NBA says no other players at the All-Star game have been affected.
Team Durant takes on Team LeBron tonight at 8:00 PM ET.
(NEW YORK) — The warmest air in four months will spread across the Central and Eastern U.S. this week.
On Sunday afternoon, widespread temperatures in the 60s and 70s are expected across the much of the central U.S. and even northern locations like Minneapolis will reach 60 degrees or higher today when just 3 weeks ago, Minneapolis wasn’t getting above zero degrees.
The warmer weather will start to approach Chicago on Sunday as well, but even warmer weather will be arriving over the coming days.
Record highs will be possible on both Monday and Tuesday as temperatures soar to nearly 30 degrees above average in spots.
By Tuesday, parts of the Central and Eastern U.S. could approach or exceed 70 degrees and some parts of the Plains could reach 80 degrees or better.
Additionally, Minneapolis, Chicago and New York City will all be in the 60s and see lots of sun.
The warm and mild air will bring temperatures in the mid-60s and almost near 70 degrees in parts of the eastern U.S., including near Philadelphia and New York City by the end of the week.
The combination of the warmest air in months and sunshine will make for truly delightful weather this week for millions of Americans.
However, this does not mean winter has had its last gasp and there is an indication that a more turbulent weather pattern will return in the near future.
The West will remain unsettled for the next few days, with heavy and snow and rain expected on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Much of this rain and snow will head into California and into southern parts of the state and much of the region, but especially Los Angeles, could really benefit from this precipitation.
This storm will arrive in the central U.S. by next weekend and could potentially develop into a significant system that would bring snow to parts of the central U.S., heavy rain to the Ohio and Mississippi River valley, and perhaps our first shot of organized spring severe weather.
Behind this system, a cooler weather pattern will spread across the country as we head into the middle of the month.
Big Machine
