Want to hear a tale about listening to some great music this summer?

Well, “It Goes Like This.”
No, really, “It Goes Like This,” as in one of two Thomas Rhett hits that have topped the country airplay charts. Rhett will take the Appalachian Fair’s Main Stage in August, bringing that tune along with his current hit, “Get Me Some of That,” and more.
Rhett’s Tuesday, Aug. 19, appointment with East Tennessee was announced Tuesday in Gray, along with the rest of the Fair’s Main Stage lineup.
Tyler Farr will open the Main Stage array for the 88th Appalachian Fair, which will run Aug. 18-Aug. 23, on the Fair’s opening night.

The full lineup:
• Monday, 8 p.m., Tyler Farr;
• Tuesday, 8 p.m., Thomas Rhett;
• Wednesday, 8 p.m., Parmalee;
• Thursday, 8 p.m., Craig Morgan;
• Friday, 8 p.m., Chase Rice;
• Saturday, 7 p.m., For King and Country; and
• Saturday, 8:45 p.m., Francesca Battistelli.

Tuesday’s headliner, Rhett, will release his debut album in October, but he’s already charted four hit releases from the project, including its title song, “It Goes Like This.”
Rhett says that with his country/rock title hit “I feel like I finally have an identifying song.” He said “It Goes Like This” is helping ”solidify what kind of music we play and it’s a really good representation of how the record sounds.”
Interestingly enough, the accomplished writer didn’t pen the title song, but he’s no stranger to the top spot. His works include Jason Aldean’s “1994;” Lee Brice’s “Parking Lot Party;” and “Round Here” for Florida Georgia Line.

Rhett’s talent comes naturally: his father, Rhett Akins, hit No. 1 on the country charts in the 1990s with “Don’t Get Me Started.”
Like Rhett, Farr has links to country tradition, as the Missourian’s stepfather played lead guitar for George Jones.
His career’s debut had less to do with music and more with muscle, however. Trying to break into the music scene, he worked as a bouncer at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge for months until persuaded management to let him sing.
He began playing the Tootsie’s stage four nights a week. Of course, he didn’t abandon his “roots:” He continued to work security at the door.

Farr’s hits include “Red Neck Crazy” and “Whiskey In My Water.”
Country rock group Parmalee, Wednesday’s headliner, has a sound with roots in bluegrass, traditional country, southern rock and blues. Their hits include “Carolina” & “Musta Had A Great Time.”
Thursday’s act, Tennessean Craig Morgan, has a unique resume: soldier, sheriff’s deputy, EMT, TV host, motocross racer, outdoorsman and farmer. Morgan’s songs include “Almost Home” and ”Woke Up Lovin’ You.”
Chase Rice’s background is one that can rival Morgan: it includes starting at linebacker for the University of North Carolina; being a member of a NASCAR pit crew; and a co-

writer of Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise.”
Rice’s hits include “Ready, Set, Roll” and “Buzz Back.”
For King and Country, Saturday’s first show, is brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone, who were born in Australia but relocated to Nashville. Their top hits are “Busted Heart” and “The Proof of Your Love.”
The week’s final show, Francesca Battistelli, is a familiar name to Christian music fans. A Dove Award winner, she’s had a number of hits and a Grammy nomination. Her top songs are “Write Your Story” and “Free to Be Me.”

Limited reserved seats will be $8. The last day to buy advance show tickets by phone is Aug. 8.
Free grandstand seating is available with gate admission of $8 for adults and $3 children 6-11 when accompanied by an adult.
The fair ticket office is open July 26-Aug. 17, Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturdays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 17, only, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. or by calling 423-477-142