Luke Bryan
Thomas Luther "Luke" Bryan (born July 17, 1976) is an American country singer, songwriter, and television personality. Bryan is a five-time "Entertainer of the Year", being awarded by both the Academy of Country Music Awards and the Country Music Association.[5] In 2019, Bryan's 2013 album Crash My Party received the first Album of the Decade award from the Academy of Country Music.[6] He is one of the world's best-selling music artists, with over 75 million records sold.[7] Since 2018, Bryan has been a judge on American Idol.
Luke Bryan
- Singer
- songwriter
- television personality
2
Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
- Vocals
- guitar
- piano
2001–present
- Capitol Nashville
- Row Crop
His first ten albums – I'll Stay Me (2007), Doin' My Thing (2009), Tailgates & Tanlines (2011), Crash My Party (2013), Spring Break...Here to Party (2013), Spring Break...Checkin' Out (2015), Kill the Lights (2015), Farm Tour... Here's to the Farmer (2016), What Makes You Country (2017), and Born Here Live Here Die Here (2020) – have included 30 number-one hits. Bryan often co-writes with Jeff Stevens.
Early life[edit]
Luke Bryan was born in Leesburg, Georgia,[8] to LeClaire and Tommy Bryan, who owned a peanut farm.[9]
[10] Shortly before Luke was going to move to Nashville at age 19, his elder brother Chris was unexpectedly killed in a car accident. [11] His mother, LeClaire, had made a statement: "We knew Luke at some point would come to Nashville," his mother said. "But ... you can't leave your family, and ... I couldn't bear the thought of him being away."[8]
Instead, Luke went to college at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia, where he joined the Sigma Chi fraternity, briefly dated his future wife Caroline, and graduated in 1999 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. Luke reconnected with Caroline several years later when he was performing at a bar in Statesboro when she was in town, later resuming their relationship and eventually marrying.[12]
Two years after graduating from college, Bryan finally made it to Nashville,[13] when his father urged him to pack his truck to pursue a career in music. He initially gained success as a songwriter, but soon after signed as a performer; his first major success was "All My Friends Say".
Hosting[edit]
Bryan hosted the 50th annual ACM awards in 2015 with fellow country singer Blake Shelton. He sang "I See You" and won entertainer of the year.[53]
Bryan hosted the 55th annual CMA awards in 2021. The awards show was held in Nashville Tennessee, and Bryan won entertainer of the year.[54]
Bryan hosted the 56th annual CMA awards with retired NFL quarterback Peyton Manning in Nashville Tennessee in November 2022.[55]
Other ventures[edit]
Crash My Playa[edit]
Crash My Playa is a 4-night all-inclusive concert vacation hosted by Luke Bryan in Cancun, Mexico. Past performers include Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line, Dierks Bentley, Chris Stapleton, Little Big Town, Sam Hunt, Dustin Lynch, Luke Combs, and Thomas Rhett.[65]
Artistry[edit]
Influences[edit]
Bryan has cited country artists George Strait, Alan Jackson, Alabama, and Merle Haggard as influences on his career.[70] He also cited hip hop bands Beastie Boys and Run-D.M.C. as a source of inspiration in an interview with The Huffington Post, noting, "I think there's been somewhat of a change with our generation. You know, nobody grew up more countrier than me, but I mean, I had Beastie Boys playing on little boom boxes and Run D.M.C. and all forms of music, so through the years, I just think it's all constantly blending together."[71]
Residencies