Luke Bryan: ‘I’m Proud Of My Climb To Get Here’

Luke Bryan is featured on the cover of the upcoming issue of People magazine. In the cover story, he talks about the beginning of his career when he moved to Nashville at age 25. He'd originally planned to make the move a few years earlier but stayed with his family in Georgia after his brother Chris died in a car accident at age 30.

Bryan said it was a good thing to start in Nashville older. He noted that when he was younger, he wouldn't have really known who he was as an artist. Luke admitted, "Back then, I was just singing other people's songs and trying to figure out what I want to be." He now knows that the "main thing" is to do your best and "tell your story in the most authentic and relatable way."

Bryan added, "I can't go back and question any of the stars or fate at how it all shaped out. I look back, and I'm proud of my climb to get here."

He also told the publication that for most of his career, he was trying to prove himself and that his success is "liberating and gratifying to just go, 'I am what I am.'" Luke said he earned his rise to the top the "old-fashioned way: working my butt off."

After a brief bout with illness and losing his voice, Bryan is back on his "Country On Tour" playing for tens of thousands of fans this week. He had to scrap a couple of shows over the weekend and then canceled his headlining Watershed Festival performance slot Sunday (8/6). Luke posted the bad news to his fans on X (formerly Twitter).

He wrote, "This is such a frustrating weekend. 'Shedders, I am sorry to let you down, but I am not back singing – can hardly even talk still. This festival is one of the most beautiful places we perform and one of the most fun crowds always. I know my friends on the show will bring a great time for you! Show them all what you got. Love ya - Luke."

Bryan told People that he has a blast on stage whether he has 100 people in the crowd or tens of thousands. He said, "The day you quit loving it, it's time to move on. Thankfully I've never had those feelings. It's pretty hard for being in front of 20,000 people to get old."

Who has more fun than Luke Bryan? You can hear it on his songs, see it on his social media almost daily and also feel it when you see him perform live.

As Luke celebrates his 45th birthday today (7/17), we take a look at 17 songs that made him a country superstar.