Luke Bryan

Luke Bryan
Bryan performing in 2014
Born
Thomas Luther Bryan

(1976-07-17) July 17, 1976 (age 47)
Alma materGeorgia Southern University
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • television personality
Spouse
Caroline Boyer
(m. 2006)
Children2
Musical career
OriginNashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Genres
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • piano
DiscographyLuke Bryan discography
Years active2001–present
Labels
Websitelukebryan.com

Thomas Luther "Luke" Bryan (born July 17, 1976) is an American country singer, songwriter, and television personality. 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. Since 2018, Bryan has been a judge on American Idol.

Bryan is a five-time "Entertainer of the Year", being awarded by both the Academy of Country Music Awards and the Country Music Association. In 2019, Bryan's 2013 album Crash My Party received the first Album of the Decade award from the Academy of Country Music. He is one of the world's best-selling music artists, with over 75 million records sold.

Early life

Luke Bryan was born in Leesburg, Georgia, to LeClaire and Tommy Bryan, who owned a peanut farm. Shortly before Luke was going to move to Nashville at age 19, his elder brother Chris was unexpectedly killed in a car accident. 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."

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.

Two years after graduating from college, Bryan finally made it to Nashville, 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".

Music career

2006–2009: I'll Stay Me

Bryan performing in 2008

Soon after his arrival in Nashville, Bryan joined a publishing house in the city. Among his first cuts was the title track of Travis Tritt's 2004 album My Honky Tonk History.

He was later signed by Capitol Nashville to a recording contract. In the meantime, Bryan co-wrote Billy Currington's single "Good Directions", which went to number one on the Hot Country Songs chart in mid-2007. Bryan co-wrote his debut single, "All My Friends Say", with producer Jeff Stevens. This song reached a peak of number 5 on the Hot Country Songs chart. In August 2007, Capitol Nashville released Bryan's debut album, I'll Stay Me. Bryan wrote or co-wrote all but one of its 11 songs. The album's second single, "We Rode in Trucks", peaked at number 33 while "Country Man" reached number 10.

2009–2011: Doin' My Thing

Bryan in 2010

On March 10, 2009, he released an EP titled Spring Break with All My Friends that featured two new songs, "Sorority Girls" and "Take My Drunk Ass Home," plus an acoustic version of "All My Friends Say". After this EP, he released his fourth single, "Do I" in May 2009. Bryan wrote the song with Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood of Lady A, whose lead singer Hillary Scott also sings backing vocals on it. The song reached number 2 on the Hot Country Songs chart.

"Do I" was included on Bryan's second album, Doin' My Thing, which was released in October 2009. Also included on the album was a cover of OneRepublic's "Apologize". Bryan wrote the album's next two singles, "Rain Is a Good Thing" and "Someone Else Calling You Baby", with Dallas Davidson and Jeff Stevens, respectively. Both of these songs went to number one on the country music charts. AllMusic gave this album a positive review as well, with Stephen Thomas Erlewine considering Bryan more "relaxed" in comparison to his debut. On February 26, 2010, Bryan released a second EP, titled Spring Break 2...Hangover Edition, which featured three new songs: "Wild Weekend", "Cold Beer Drinker", and "I'm Hungover".[citation needed] While Bryan is mainly known as a country music singer, he has explored other genres like alternative rock with his cover of "Apologize".

Bryan appeared on the April 18, 2010, episode of Celebrity Apprentice alongside fellow country star Emily West. The task for each team was to make over an up-and-coming country star, with Bryan being selected by Team Rocksolid, led by Bill Goldberg, and West being selected by team Tenacity, led by Cyndi Lauper. Bryan's makeover failed to impress the judges, leading to Rocksolid losing the task. Bryan's single "Rain Is a Good Thing" and West's single "Blue Sky" were both sold on iTunes, with a month's worth of sales being donated to Lauper's charity, the Stonewall Community Foundation, resulting in $25,000 being raised.

2011–2013: Tailgates & Tanlines

Bryan released his third EP, Spring Break 3...It's a Shore Thing, on February 25, 2011, featuring four new songs - "In Love With the Girl," "If You Ain't Here to Party," "Shore Thing," and "Love In a College Town". This release was followed by Bryan's seventh single, "Country Girl (Shake It for Me)", which was released on March 14, 2011. Also co-written by Bryan and Davidson, it served as the lead-off single to his third studio album, Tailgates & Tanlines, which was released August 9, 2011. The album peaked at number one on the Top Country Albums chart and number two on the Billboard 200 chart. "Country Girl" peaked at number 4 on the country music charts and number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The album's next three singles - "I Don't Want This Night to End", "Drunk on You", and "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye" - all reached number one on the country music charts. Bryan, along with Eric Church, sang guest vocals on Jason Aldean's "The Only Way I Know," the second single from his 2012 album, Night Train.[citation needed]

On March 6, 2012, Bryan released his fourth Spring Break EP entitled Spring Break 4...Suntan City. Along with the title track, which Bryan co-wrote with Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins and Ben Hayslip, the EP includes "Spring Break-Up," "Little Bit Later On," and "Shake the Sand". On January 30, 2013, Bryan announced his first compilation album, Spring Break...Here to Party, which includes fourteen songs - twelve from his previous Spring Break EPs and two new tracks. It was released on March 5. The album debuted at number one on both the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and the Billboard 200 chart, becoming the first album of his career to top the all-genre album chart. One of the new Spring Break songs, "Buzzkill", reached the top 20 on the Hot Country Songs chart.

2013–2015: Crash My Party

Luke Bryan's fourth studio album, Crash My Party, was released on August 12, 2013. The album's first single, "Crash My Party", was premiered in a performance at the 2013 ACM Awards and released on April 7, 2013. It reached number one on the Country Airplay chart in July 2013. The album's second single, "That's My Kind of Night", was released to country radio on August 5, 2013. It reached number one on the Hot Country Songs chart in August 2013 and peaked at number 2 on the Country Airplay chart in October 2013. The album's third single, "Drink a Beer", was released to country radio on October 24, 2013. It reached number one on the Hot Country Songs chart in January 2014 and number one on the Country Airplay chart in February 2014. During the kickoff show for his 2014 That's My Kind of Night Tour in Columbus, Ohio, Bryan announced to the crowd that "Play It Again" would become the album's fourth single. This song reached number one on both the Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts in May 2014. At the same time, Bryan sang guest vocals on Florida Georgia Line's 2014 single "This Is How We Roll". On July 14, 2014, the song "Roller Coaster" was released as the album's fifth single. It reached number one on the Country Airplay chart in October 2014. The album's sixth single, "I See You", was released to country radio on November 3, 2014. It reached number one on the Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts in February 2015.

On March 11, 2014, Bryan began his sixth year of spring performances at Spinnaker Beach Club in Panama City Beach, Florida. On the same day, he also released his sixth Spring Break EP, Spring Break 6...Like We Ain't Ever.

Bryan is the only country music artist to release an album of six number one singles on both the Billboard's Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts.

2015–2018: Kill the Lights and What Makes You Country

On November 11, 2014, it was confirmed that Bryan had begun writing and recording songs for his upcoming fifth studio album. His last Spring Break album, Spring Break...Checkin' Out, was released on March 10, 2015. It includes the six songs from the previous year's EP and five original new songs.

On May 19, 2015, Bryan released his first single from his fifth studio album, Kill the Lights, "Kick the Dust Up", which peaked at number one on the Country Airplay chart. He co-wrote over half of the songs on this album. This album provides not only his country flare, but also has tracks that include a disco type beat along with the songs of romance. The album's second single, "Strip It Down", was released to country radio on August 4, 2015. The album was released on August 7. Kill the Lights sold 345,000 total copies its first week and beat out Dr. Dre's Compton to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. "Strip It Down" went number one in October 2015, making fourteen cumulative number ones. The album's third single, "Home Alone Tonight", released to country radio on November 23, 2015. The song also became his fifteenth song to reach number one. The album's fourth single, "Huntin', Fishin' and Lovin' Every Day", released to country radio on March 14, 2016. All six of the singles released from Bryan's Kill the Lights album reached number one on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, making Bryan the first artist in the 27-year history of the chart to achieve six number one singles from one album.

It was announced that Bryan would perform at halftime of the 2015 Thanksgiving match-up between the Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers.

In 2016, Bryan was selected as one of 30 artists to perform on "Forever Country", a mash-up track of "Take Me Home, Country Roads", "On the Road Again" and "I Will Always Love You" which celebrates 50 years of the CMA Awards.

On February 5, 2017, Bryan performed the National Anthem at Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. In September 2017, Bryan was announced as a judge for the revival of American Idol on ABC.

Bryan released "Light It Up" in mid-2017. It served as the lead-off single to his sixth album, What Makes You Country, which was released on December 8, 2017. "Most People Are Good" and "Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset" were released as the album's second and third singles, respectively. The album's fourth single, the album's title track, released to country radio on October 22, 2018.

When American Idol returned for another season on ABC, Bryan returned along with Katy Perry and Lionel Richie as judges.

2019–2021: Born Here Live Here Die Here

"Knockin' Boots" was released to country radio in March 2019. In October 2019, "What She Wants Tonight" was released to country radio as the second single from his upcoming album. In January 2020, Bryan announced his next album would be titled Born Here Live Here Die Here and was scheduled to be released on April 24, 2020. The announcement of the album followed the announcement of his upcoming Proud to Be Right Here Tour. On March 13, 2020, "One Margarita" was released as the third single from his upcoming album. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bryan delayed the release of the album to August 7, 2020, and rescheduled the Proud to Be Right Here Tour to 2021. On June 12, 2020, Bryan released the track "Build Me A Daddy" along with a music video for the song. On October 19, 2020, the song "Down to One" was made the fourth single from the album. A Deluxe edition of Born Here Live Here Die Here, released on April 9, 2021, produced the album's fifth single, "Waves", as well as its sixth single, "Up," which was released on October 11, 2021. In October, it was announced that Bryan would host the 55th Annual Country Music Association Awards for the first time, making him the first solo host in 18 years.

Hosting

Bryan hosted the 50th annual ACM awards in 2015 with fellow country singer Blake Shelton. He sung "I See You" and won entertainer of the year.

Bryan hosted the 55th annual CMA awards in 2021. The awards show was held in Nashville Tennessee, and Bryan won entertainer of the year.

Bryan hosted the 56th annual CMA awards with retired NFL quarterback Peyton Manning in Nashville Tennessee in November 2022.

Personal life

Bryan is married to Caroline Boyer. They married on December 8, 2006, and have two sons together. They live in Williamson County, near Nashville. They named the house "Red Bird Farm" after Luke's older sister Kelly died. The design was inspired by the barn at Blackberry Farms in Walland, TN.

In 2007, Bryan's older sister Kelly died unexpectedly at home of unknown causes.

"My only older siblings...gone from the world, in a flash, in two...two different, crazy, tragic manners, that...we'll never know, and never understand." - Luke Bryan

After Kelly's husband Ben Lee Cheshire died in 2014, Bryan and his wife began raising their nephew and taking care of their nieces.

The combined losses of his brother and sister inspired the performance of Bryan's single "Drink a Beer" (written by Chris Stapleton).

In 2015, Forbes estimated Bryan's annual income at $42.5 million.

Philanthropy

Bryan has supported numerous charities and causes, including the City of Hope and Red Cross. Past causes Bryan supported were AIDS and HIV, cancer, children's disaster relief, health, and human rights.

Following the death of her niece, Bryan's wife Caroline established Brett's Barn in her honor. Brett's Barn, located on their family farm, is a sanctuary for rescue animals that invites sick children to spend time with the over 20 animals they host on the farm. She and Bryan are also on the board of directors of the Brett Boyer Foundation, which raises awareness for Down Syndrome and congenital heart disease. The organization also hosts a number of fundraisers to raise money for research, including "Bike for Brett" which occurs annually on World Down Syndrome Day.

Other ventures

Crash My Playa

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.

Luke's 32 Bridge Food + Drink

Luke's 32 Bridge Food + Drink is located in the heart of Broadway Street in Nashville, Tennessee. The 30,000 square feet multi-level entertainment facility features 6 levels, 8 bars, 3 stages with live music and two restaurants.

32 Bridge Entertainment

Luke Bryan started his own record label, 32 Bridge Entertainment, under the Universal Music Group Nashville umbrella. In 2018, Jon Langston became the first artist signed to the new label.

Artistry

Vocals

Bryan possesses a high baritone vocal range of two octaves from A2 to A4. Commenting on his vocal performance in "Tailgates and Tanlines," Slant magazine's Jonathan Keefer described Bryan's voice as "a pleasant, if slightly nasal, baritone".

Influences

Bryan has cited country artists George Strait, Alan Jackson, Alabama, and Merle Haggard as influences on his career. 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."

Discography

Studio albums

Tours

Residencies

  • Las Vegas (2022)

Awards and nominations

Year Association Category Nominated work Result Ref
2010 Academy of Country Music Awards Top New Solo Vocalist Himself Won
Top New Artist Won
CMT Music Awards USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year "Do I" Won
Country Music Association Awards New Artist of the Year Himself Nominated
2011 CMT Music Awards Best Web Video of the Year "It's a Shore Thing" Nominated
Nationwide Insurance On Your Side Award Himself Nominated
Country Music Association Awards New Artist of the Year Himself Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice Music: Country Song "Country Girl (Shake It for Me)" Nominated
Choice Music: Country Artist Male Himself Nominated
American Country Awards Male Artist of the Year Nominated
Single by a Male Artist "Someone Else Calling You Baby" Nominated
2012 CMT Music Awards Video of the Year: Male "I Don't Want This Night To End" Won
Teen Choice Awards Teen Choice Award for Music – Male Country Artist Himself Nominated
Country Music Association Awards Male Vocalist of the Year Nominated
Album of the Year Tailgates & Tanlines Nominated
American Music Awards Favorite Male Country Artist Himself Won
Favorite Country Album Tailgates & Tanlines Nominated
American Country Awards Artist of the Year Himself Won
Male Artist of the Year Won
Single of the Year "I Don't Want This Night to End" Won
Single by a Male Artist Won
Music Video of the Year Won
Music Video by a Male Artist Won
Album of the Year Tailgates & Tanlines Won
Most Played Radio Track "I Don't Want This Night to End" Won
Most Played Radio Track by a Male Artist Won
2013 Academy of Country Music Awards Entertainer of the Year Himself Won
Male Vocalist of the Year Nominated
Album of the Year Tailgates & Tanlines Nominated
Vocal Event of the Year "The Only Way I Know"
(with Jason Aldean and Eric Church)
Won
Billboard Music Awards Top Country Artist Himself Nominated
Top Country Album Tailgates & Tanlines Nominated
Top Country Song "Drunk on You" Nominated
CMT Music Awards Video of the Year "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye" Nominated
Male Video of the Year Nominated
Collaboration Video of the Year "The Only Way I Know"
(with Jason Aldean and Eric Church)
Won
CMT Performance of the Year "Drunk on You"/"Feel Again"
(with Ryan Tedder)
Nominated
American Music Awards Favorite Country Male Artist Himself Won
Favorite Country Album Crash My Party Nominated
2014 Billboard Music Awards Top Billboard 200 Album Crash My Party Nominated
Top Country Album Crash My Party Won
Top Male Artist Himself Nominated
Top Billboard 200 Artist Nominated
Top Country Artist Won
Top Country Song "Crash My Party" Won
Top Country Song "That's My Kind of Night" Nominated
Academy of Country Music Awards Entertainer of the Year Himself Nominated
Male Vocalist of the Year Nominated
Album of the Year Crash My Party Nominated
American Music Awards Artist of the Year Himself Nominated
Favorite Country Male Artist Won
American Country Countdown Awards Artist of the Year Nominated
Male Vocalist of the Year Won
Collaboration "This Is How We Roll"
(with Florida Georgia Line)
Won
Album Crash My Party Nominated
Digital Song of the Year "Drink a Beer" Nominated
Digital Song of the Year "This Is How We Roll"
(with Florida Georgia Line)
Won
Country Music Association Awards Entertainer of the Year Himself Won
Male Vocalist of the Year Nominated
Album of the Year Crash My Party Nominated
2015 People's Choice Awards Favorite Male Country Artist Himself Nominated
Academy of Country Music Awards Entertainer of the Year Won
Male Vocalist of the Year Nominated
Vocal Event of the Year "This Is How We Roll"
(with Florida Georgia Line)
Won
Song of the Year "Drink a Beer" (as the Artist) Nominated
Billboard Music Awards Top Country Artist Himself Nominated
Top Country Song "Play It Again" Nominated
"This Is How We Roll"
(with Florida Georgia Line)
Nominated
Top Country Album Crash My Party Nominated
CMT Music Awards Male Video of the Year "Play It Again" Won
Video of the Year Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice Country Artist Himself Nominated
Choice Country Song "Kick the Dust Up" Nominated
Canadian Country Music Association Top Selling Album Crash My Party Won
Country Music Association Awards Male Vocalist of the Year Himself Nominated
Entertainer of the Year Won
American Music Awards Artist of the Year Nominated
Favorite Country Male Artist Won
2016 People's Choice Awards Favorite Male Artist Nominated
Favorite Male Country Artist Nominated
iHeartRadio Music Awards Male Artist of the Year Himself Nominated
Best Tour Nominated
Country Artist of the Year Won
Country Song of the Year "I See You" Nominated
Academy of Country Music Awards Entertainer of the Year Himself Nominated
Vocal Event of the Year "Home Alone Tonight" (feat. Karen Fairchild) Nominated
American Country Countdown Awards Artist of the Year Himself Won
Male Vocalist of the Year Won
Song of the Year "Strip It Down" Nominated
Album of the Year "Kill the Lights" Nominated
Digital Song of the Year "Kick the Dust Up" Nominated
Touring Artist of the Year Himself Nominated
Billboard Music Awards Top Country Artist Won
Top Country Album Kill the Lights Nominated
Country Music Association Awards Entertainer of the Year Himself Nominated
Musical Event of the Year "Home Alone Tonight" (feat. Karen Fairchild) Nominated
American Music Awards Favorite Country Album Kill the Lights Nominated
Favorite Male Country Artist Himself Nominated
2017 Academy of Country Music Awards Entertainer of the Year Himself Nominated
People's Choice Awards Favorite Male Country Artist Himself Nominated
iHeartRadio Music Awards Male Artist of the Year Himself Nominated
Country Artist of the Year Himself Nominated
Billboard Music Awards Top Country Tour Kill the Lights Tour Nominated
Billboard Chart Achievement Award Himself Nominated
CMT Music Awards Video of the Year "Huntin', Fishin,' and Lovin' Every Day" Nominated
Male Video of the Year Nominated
CMT Performance of the Year "Want to Want Me" (with Jason Derulo) Won
Teen Choice Awards Choice Country Artist Himself Nominated
Country Music Association Awards Entertainer of the Year Himself Nominated
2018 Academy of Country Music Awards Entertainer of the Year Himself Nominated
Country Music Association Awards Entertainer of the Year Himself Nominated
American Music Awards Favorite Male Artist - Country Himself Nominated
2019 Academy of Country Music Awards Album of the Decade Crash My Party Won
Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan Nominated
Single of the Year "Most People Are Good" Nominated
iHeartRadio Music Awards Country Artist of the Year Himself Nominated
Country Song of the Year "Most People Are Good" Nominated
CMT Music Awards Male Video of the Year "Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset" Nominated
Collaborative Video of the Year "Straight To Hell" (with Darius Rucker, Jason Aldean, Charles Kelley) Nominated
2020 iHeartRadio Music Awards Country Artist of the Year Himself Nominated
Academy of Country Music Awards Entertainer of the Year Himself Nominated
CMT Music Awards Male Video of the Year One Margarita Won
2021 Country Radio Broadcasters Artist Humanitarian Award Himself Won
Academy of Country Music Awards Entertainer of the Year Himself Won
Album of the Year Born Here Live Here Die Here Nominated
American Music Awards Favorite Male Country Artist Himself Won
2023 CMT Music Awards Video of the Year Country On Nominated

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2011–present CMT Crossroads Himself with The Doobie Brothers and Jason Derulo
2013–2017 Academy of Country Music Awards Co-host With Blake Shelton and Dierks Bentley
2014 Nashville Himself Episode: How Far Down Can I Go?
2014–present Buck Commander Himself With Willie Robertson and Adam LaRoche
2015 The Voice Judge Season 8 finale result
2017 Advisor Season 12: Blake Shelton's team
2018–present American Idol Judge With Katy Perry and Lionel Richie.
2020 Jeopardy! The Greatest of All Time Video Clue Presenter 1 episode
2021 Surrender on the USS Missouri Narrator American Public Television documentary

This page was last updated at 2023-12-25 01:09 UTC. Update now. View original page.

All our content comes from Wikipedia and under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.


Top

If mathematical, chemical, physical and other formulas are not displayed correctly on this page, please useFirefox or Safari