Who Is Luke Bryan?
Born in Georgia in 1976, Luke Bryan found professional success as a
song writer before delivering his debut album, I'll Stay Me, in 2007.
He followed with the acclaimed albums Doin' My Thing,
Tailgates & Tanlines, Crash My Party and Kill the Lights, the last
of which produced a record-breaking six No. 1 singles on the
Billboard Country Airplay chart. In late 2017, Bryan released his
fourth album to top the Billboard Top 200, What Makes You Country,
before debuting as a judge for a revived American Idol early the
following year.
Luke Bryan's Albums and Hit Songs
'I'll Stay Me'
Bryan introduced himself to a wider audience with "All My Friends Say,"
the lead single from his debut album, I'll Stay Me (2007). The song
spent more than 30 weeks on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart,
peaking of No. 5, while "We Rode in Trucks" and "Country Man" also
earned favorable receptions, propelling the album to No. 2 on the
Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
'Doin' My Thing'
After kicking off Doin' My Thing (2009) with "Do I," a legitimate
crossover hit, Bryan scored his first two No. 1 country singles with
"Rain Is a Good Thing" and "Someone Else Calling You Baby." Doin'
My Thing became his second straight album to reach the No. 2 spot
on the Hot Country Songs chart.
'Tailgates & Tanlines'
Bryan made his fans wait another two years for Tailgates & Tanlines
(2011), an album that cemented his standing as one of the top artists
in the business. Several tracks, including "I Don't Want This Night to End,
" "Drunk on You" and "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye," became No. 1 country hits.
He followed with Spring Break...Here to Party (2013), an album of tracks
from previous EPs, as well as the new songs "Buzzkill" and "Just a Sip."
'Crash My Party'
Bryan notched a whopping five No. 1 singles on Billboard's Country
Airplay chart with his fourth studio effort, Crash My Party (2013).
Among its celebrated tracks are "Drink a Beer," which the artist has
described as "the coolest sad song ever," and "Play It Again."
'Kill the Lights'
Bryan's fifth studio album, Kill the Lights (2015), was noted for
showcasing the artist in a quieter, more contemplative light. The
result was an unprecedented level of success, as a record-breaking
six singles, including "Kick the Dust Up," "Strip It Down" and
"Fast," went on to top the Country Airplay chart.
'Here's To The Farmer'
To commemorate his upcoming “Farm Tour” series of dates this Autumn, the
singer is releasing a five-song set that is one of his most entertaining in
quite a while. With the emphasis on agriculture settings, the
instrumentation is a little bit more traditional Country based, and Bryan
sounds like he is in his element. Songs like “I Do All My Dreaming There”
reflect a Luke Bryan that is very much from the tiny metropolis of Leesburg,
Georgia. It’s a song about roots, and how Bryan’s played a role
in the artist that he has become.
'What Makes You Country'
Following the release of his new single "Light It Up," Bryan debuted
his fourth No. 1 album on the Billboard 200, What Makes You Country,
in December 2017. He dropped the album's second single, "Most People
Are Good," shortly before embarking on the What Makes You Country
Tour in February 2018.
Wife and Children
Bryan began dating his future wife, Caroline Boyer, while the two were
attending Georgia Southern University in 1998. Although they soon
split up, they rekindled the relationship a few years later.
Married in December 2006, they went on to have two sons, Thomas
"Bo" and Tatum "Tate" Bryan.
Family Tragedies
For all his successes, Bryan has also endured enough heartbreak for
one lifetime. When he was just 19 and ready for his big move to
Nashville, his world was rocked when his older brother, Chris, was
killed in a car accident. A few years later, in 2007, his sister, Kelly,
suddenly and mysteriously died, the autopsy unable to provide a cause.
In 2014, Kelly's husband also unexpectedly passed, leaving the three
surviving children with no parents. Noting, "We never thought twice
about it," Caroline and Luke Bryan soon became the guardians for their
nieces and nephew.
'American Idol ' Judge
In September 2017, Luke Bryan was announced as one of the judges for a
reboot of American Idol, rounding out a panel that also featured pop star
Katy Perry and veteran crooner Lionel Richie.
Prior to the show's debut in March 2018, Bryan admitted to Good Morning
America that he was no Simon Cowell when it came to dashing the dreams
of hopeful artists. "It's a little out of my comfort zone to just pick
people apart, but you have to," he said. "It's what you signed up for."
Award-Winning Artist
Beginning with his Academy of Country Music wins for top new vocalist and
artist, Bryan has racked up a truckload of awards since his first album.
He claimed a whopping nine wins at the 2012 American Country Awards,
and has earned Entertainer of the Year honors from both the Academy of
Country Music and Country Music Association. Byran has also taken home
trophies from the American Country Countdown Awards, the Billboard
Music Awards and the iHeartRadio Music Awards.
TV Special and Noted Performances
In November 2017, Bryan shared the stories of his triumphs and tragedies
and provided a look at his life offstage with the ABC special
Living Every Day: Luke Bryan.
The artist made his debut performance at the the Grand Ole Opry in 2007,
and 10 years later he was the first to perform at the Opry's "home away
from home" at the Opry City Stage in New York City's Times Square. Earlier
that year, he sang the national anthem at Super Bowl LI at
NRG Stadium in Houston.
Luke Bryan's Hometown and Musical Influences
Born Thomas Luther Bryan in Leesburg, Georgia, on July 17, 1976,
Luke Bryan grew up the youngest son of a farmer. Always interested in
music, Bryan was raised on his parents’ record collection, which included
such country artists as George Strait, Conway Twitty and Merle Haggard.
When he was 14, Bryan’s parents bought him a guitar, and it wasn’t long
before he was good enough on the instrument, and with his voice, to begin
sitting in with local musicians. In high school, Bryan performed in
musicals and wrote his own songs, which he sang with a band he started.
Georgia Southern to Nashville
Following his brother's death, Bryan put his Nashville dreams on hold
and continued his education at Georgia Southern University to be close
to his family. He also kept busy by working on his father’s peanut farm
and playing with a new band at night on campus and in local bars.
Bryan burned to pursue a musical career, and he wrote songs continually,
releasing a self-produced album during this period. His father saw
Bryan’s dream slipping away, and he knew there was only one way to get
Bryan back on track: He told his son to pack up his truck and hit the
road to Tennessee or he was fired.
Bryan moved to Nashville in 2001, quickly landing a songwriting contract
with a local publishing house. He earned writing credits for some of
country music's top artists, including Travis Tritt. At night, he performed
his own music at local clubs, and when an A&R rep from Capitol Records
saw him perform one night, Bryan was signed to the label.
Charity Work
When he’s not touring or recording new music, Bryan works with St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He has also
raised funds for his hometown YMCA in honor of his brother and sister.
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