Luke Bryan On Collaborations With Non-Country Artists
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 12: Luke Bryan performs at Bridgestone Arena on August 12, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Should country music embrace artists from other formats? Luke Bryan, who is co-hosting the CMA Awards tomorrow night and who sits next to Katy Perry and Lionel Richie in his gig as an American Idol judge, discussed that point at a CMA Awards press conference today.
“I think music as a whole is integrating even more,” he said. “For years, country was a little satellite or an island.” But he noted that these days, country music artists are among the most popular artists in any genre. “Morgan [Wallen] and Luke Combs are outpacing all other forms of music.”
“So when you have artists from all genres wanting to come in and do collabs… I could do a podcast on my thoughts on collabs. I think music fans love seeing them. Those collabs, they bring cultures together. I think it’s all great for music, and I think it validates country’s spot in music. I think collabs are fun, and the song has to work.”
He also noted that country’s exposure in pop culture only helps. Paula Abdul, who was one of the original judges for American Idol, will be presenting at the CMAs tomorrow night. “Paula Abdul, she sat in the chair at American Idol watching country singers for years, so she obviously understands the importance of country music too.” Of course, Carrie Underwood was an American Idol winner during Abdul’s time on the show.
Most of Bryan’s collaborations have been with other country artists, although he did perform with R&B singer Jason DeRulo on CMT Crossroads. Bryan has ventured into the worlds of pop and R&B when he paid tribute to Lionel Richie at the Grammy Awards, and at the Kennedy Center Honors.
Watch Country Music’s Biggest Night hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning on Wednesday, November 8 at 8/7c on ABC.
17 Songs That Made Luke Bryan A True Superstar
Luke Bryan is a superstar today with twenty-seven number-one country songs to his credit. He is also a TV star as he is placed firmly as a celebrated Judge along with Katy Perry and Lionel Richie on TV’s American Idol.
Last month, Bryan was rehearsing for his “Country On Tour” in the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville during CMA Fest week. He had some of his people go out into the street, which was full of CMA Fest fans from all over the world, and gather about 30 of them inside for something unique. The fans did not know what or who to expect, and then Luke appeared. When he entered the room, he said, “Alright, you all ready?” The fans erupted into cheers and screams.
Bryan then sang his new song “Beer In My Hand” for the intimate crowd, walking around meeting the fans and taking selfies with them. Luke posted a video clip of what happened on Instagram; he captioned the post, “I’ve always wanted to do that. Anything can happen at #CMAfest! #BeerInMyHand.”
As he currently tours the country on his summer dates for his “Country On Tour,” he recently announced that he will headline his fourteenth “Farm Tour” this September during a break from his “Country On Tour.” The Georgia native will set up stages in the fields of local farms from September 14-23, 2023.
Luke said of his Farm tradition, “One of the reasons we created these Farm Tour shows – to bring the big-city tour to the people. These nights are one-of-a-kind, and we really enjoy getting to know the farmers and their families; we love the whole atmosphere of playing on these incredible farms and watching entire communities come together and get excited about these shows.”
FARM TOUR 2023
9/14 Shelbyville, KY Mulberry Orchard
9/15 Millersport, OH Miller Family Farm
9/21 Colfax, IA Schnell Family Farms
9/22 Brooklyn, WI Klondike Farms
9/23 Eyota, MN Gar-Lin Dairy LLC
Since 2009 when the Farm Tour began, Luke has granted 78 college scholarships to students from farming families to their local college or university near the tour stops. Over the years, event sponsors have donated money, food, and resources to the local communities and nationally.
Bryan celebrates his 47th birthday today (7/17), and to honor him, we ranked 17 of his finest songs.
Brian has been working in pop culture and media for about three decades: he’s worked at MTV, VH1, SiriusXM, CBS and Loudwire. Besides working as a writer and an editor-in-chief, he’s also appeared on air as a pundit, guested on radio shows and hosted podcasts. Over the years, he’s interviewed the surviving members of Led Zeppelin, the members of U2, Beyonce, Pink, Usher, Stevie Nicks, Lorde… and is grateful to have had the chance to interview Joe Strummer of the Clash and Tom Petty.
