Rhett Akins gets the surprise of his life | Music City Minute

Rhett Akins had no idea Jon Pardi was waiting backstage. Then came the words every country artist dreams of hearing. Sunday night at the Grand Ole Opry House, during a special Opry Celebrates '90s Country show, Rhett Akins finished his set and thought the night was done. It wasn't. Jon Pardi walked out from backstage, and the room changed. Pardi praised Akins as a mentor and friend before saying quote, "You've always been family to me, but I'm here to invite you to be part of a different family. Rhett Akins, I am here to invite you to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry." Akins was nearly speechless. The man who has written 36 No. 1 hits for other artists, including Pardi's "Dirt on My Boots" and Luke Bryan's "Huntin', Fishin' and Lovin' Every Day," could barely find any words of his own. "All I do every day is write words and I can't think of any right now except thank you, Lord Jesus," he said. He went on to say he'd been listening to the Opry since he was a little kid with his grandparents, and that anytime they asked him to play, even if he was in Alaska, he'd fly home immediately. Before he was known as Thomas Rhett's dad, Akins was topping charts himself with hits like "That Ain't My Truck." His son was in the crowd to witness it all, later posting quote, "My dad has had a dream to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry since he was a boy. He is a country music encyclopedia. Dad, I'm so proud of you."   I'm Brailey, and that's your Music City Minute.