1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:05,100 (dramatic music) 2 00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:07,000 Downloaded from YTS.MX 3 00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:13,000 Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX 4 00:00:18,000 --> 00:00:22,100 In the world of country music, there exist many a superstar. 5 00:00:23,160 --> 00:00:24,700 And then there's Luke Combs. 6 00:00:25,680 --> 00:00:29,134 A man who defied expectations, built a career 7 00:00:29,200 --> 00:00:32,654 on sheer grit, and connected with millions through 8 00:00:32,720 --> 00:00:34,740 songs that feel like old friends. 9 00:00:35,560 --> 00:00:39,020 I think anytime you're nominated for Entertainer is pretty wild. 10 00:00:39,520 --> 00:00:41,180 Hard to believe still, really. 11 00:00:41,360 --> 00:00:44,120 Just being in the conversation is really cool for me. 12 00:00:44,560 --> 00:00:46,734 It's something, I grew up watching the CMA 13 00:00:46,800 --> 00:00:53,334 Awards, and seeing your people that you idolize win that, and just to be in the 14 00:00:53,400 --> 00:00:54,540 mix for it is pretty cool. 15 00:00:54,640 --> 00:00:56,900 Obviously, I think all of us nominated would like to win. 16 00:00:57,000 --> 00:00:58,180 I would love to win. 17 00:00:58,400 --> 00:01:00,840 But if not, hey, it's gonna be good either way. 18 00:01:01,880 --> 00:01:04,980 He's not your typical Nashville-made star. 19 00:01:05,880 --> 00:01:08,454 No frills, no gimmicks, just a voice, a 20 00:01:08,520 --> 00:01:12,860 guitar, and a gift for storytelling that speaks to the heart of everyday life. 21 00:01:14,000 --> 00:01:17,860 We're gonna be doing a new song, brand new song, on this year's show. 22 00:01:18,160 --> 00:01:22,374 It's gonna be unreleased, un-teased, like no 23 00:01:22,440 --> 00:01:24,534 one's ever heard it before, so I'm definitely, 24 00:01:24,600 --> 00:01:26,960 definitely stoked to see what people think about it. 25 00:01:27,960 --> 00:01:31,094 From heartbreak to honky-tonks, from small-town 26 00:01:31,160 --> 00:01:34,614 struggles to sold-out stadiums, Luke Combs has 27 00:01:34,680 --> 00:01:36,900 captured the soul of modern country music. 28 00:01:38,920 --> 00:01:44,094 Join us as we find out what makes this country boy-tick and how he stole 29 00:01:44,160 --> 00:01:46,020 the hearts of many in the South. 30 00:01:47,120 --> 00:01:47,814 It's cool. 31 00:01:47,880 --> 00:01:52,894 It's kind of like kid on Christmas a little bit, at least for me, because it's 32 00:01:52,960 --> 00:01:53,620 neat, right? 33 00:01:53,720 --> 00:01:56,620 And it's not gonna happen that way forever. 34 00:01:56,920 --> 00:02:02,014 So, you know, enjoy it while you can and just try to be appreciative of it. 35 00:02:02,080 --> 00:02:07,180 (dramatic music) 36 00:02:17,160 --> 00:02:21,894 (dramatic music) 37 00:02:21,960 --> 00:02:25,094 Born on March 2nd, 1990, in Charlotte, North 38 00:02:25,160 --> 00:02:30,180 Carolina, Luke Albert Combs was just a small -town kid with big dreams. 39 00:02:30,840 --> 00:02:33,134 The little country boy grew up in the 40 00:02:33,200 --> 00:02:38,500 nearby town of Huntersville, a place where life was pleasant and simple. 41 00:02:39,280 --> 00:02:43,580 Life moved a little slower, and community meant everything. 42 00:02:44,400 --> 00:02:46,894 It was a place of tradition, where neighbors 43 00:02:46,960 --> 00:02:49,774 knew each other by name, and Friday nights 44 00:02:49,840 --> 00:02:54,420 were for high school football under the glow of stadium lights. 45 00:02:55,080 --> 00:02:58,214 Like many Southern boys, Luke spent his childhood 46 00:02:58,280 --> 00:03:01,380 hunting, fishing, and dreaming about the future. 47 00:03:01,800 --> 00:03:04,614 But while most kids pictured Friday night touchdowns 48 00:03:04,680 --> 00:03:08,580 or escaping small-town life, Luke's world was music. 49 00:03:10,600 --> 00:03:12,654 My dad has never been the hugest country 50 00:03:12,720 --> 00:03:14,894 music fan, but he's always been the biggest 51 00:03:14,960 --> 00:03:17,174 Hawaii Oakham fan, so we were always listening 52 00:03:17,240 --> 00:03:20,160 to his records together when I was growing up. 53 00:03:20,280 --> 00:03:21,694 So tonight will be really special. 54 00:03:21,760 --> 00:03:22,820 I'm super excited about it. 55 00:03:23,560 --> 00:03:26,580 He found his voice early on, quite literally, 56 00:03:27,120 --> 00:03:30,380 singing in the church choir at just eight years old. 57 00:03:30,840 --> 00:03:34,460 It was in that church where he first learned the power of a song. 58 00:03:34,880 --> 00:03:36,974 He could hear the way a song could 59 00:03:37,040 --> 00:03:40,614 connect people, how it could bring strangers together 60 00:03:40,680 --> 00:03:42,540 in a way nothing else could. 61 00:03:43,000 --> 00:03:45,220 A song wasn't just words. 62 00:03:45,520 --> 00:03:48,334 It was an experience, something that stuck with 63 00:03:48,400 --> 00:03:50,580 you long after the last note faded. 64 00:03:52,720 --> 00:03:56,860 As he got older, his love for music only grew stronger. 65 00:03:57,400 --> 00:03:59,774 He began listening to artists who spoke the 66 00:03:59,840 --> 00:04:03,254 language of his heart, drawing inspiration from legends 67 00:04:03,320 --> 00:04:07,260 like George Strait, Alan Jackson, and Randy Travis. 68 00:04:08,160 --> 00:04:12,820 But for a while, music was just a passion, not a career plan. 69 00:04:16,920 --> 00:04:21,934 In the world of small towns, music was often seen as a dream that was just 70 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:22,614 out of reach. 71 00:04:22,680 --> 00:04:25,740 But Luke wasn't like most kids. 72 00:04:26,040 --> 00:04:28,374 While his classmates were talking about their future 73 00:04:28,440 --> 00:04:31,900 careers, he was already plotting his own path, 74 00:04:32,240 --> 00:04:33,540 one note at a time. 75 00:04:35,800 --> 00:04:39,254 After high school, Luke enrolled at Appalachian State 76 00:04:39,320 --> 00:04:43,780 University in Boone, North Carolina, where he studied criminal justice. 77 00:04:44,640 --> 00:04:50,454 His mind may have been on education, but his heart was singing to him a melody 78 00:04:50,520 --> 00:04:51,820 he couldn't unhear. 79 00:04:54,040 --> 00:04:57,134 The hills of Appalachia had their own kind 80 00:04:57,200 --> 00:04:59,660 of magic, and it wasn't in textbooks. 81 00:05:00,280 --> 00:05:05,054 It was in the sound of the banjo, the strum of a guitar, and the lyrics 82 00:05:05,120 --> 00:05:09,300 that painted pictures of love, loss, and everything in between. 83 00:05:09,640 --> 00:05:13,134 The radios, the performances, the very culture of 84 00:05:13,200 --> 00:05:15,980 Huntersville itself was country music. 85 00:05:16,480 --> 00:05:18,880 It filled the air in the minds of many. 86 00:05:19,320 --> 00:05:22,020 He knew where his destiny lay. 87 00:05:23,240 --> 00:05:25,654 It was here, in the dorm rooms and 88 00:05:25,720 --> 00:05:29,414 dive bars of Boone, North Carolina, that Luke 89 00:05:29,480 --> 00:05:32,020 Combs, the country artist, was born. 90 00:05:33,600 --> 00:05:36,760 Soon, Luke made a choice that would change everything. 91 00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:39,134 He dropped out of college with just 21 92 00:05:39,200 --> 00:05:44,580 credit hours left, betting everything on music, a risky move, maybe. 93 00:05:45,080 --> 00:05:48,480 But for Luke Combs, there was no plan B. 94 00:05:49,040 --> 00:05:50,174 Music wasn't a backup. 95 00:05:50,240 --> 00:05:51,820 It was everything. 96 00:05:52,160 --> 00:05:54,260 The risk didn't feel like one. 97 00:05:54,400 --> 00:05:55,940 It felt like destiny. 98 00:05:57,200 --> 00:05:59,334 He poured his heart and soul into every 99 00:05:59,400 --> 00:06:03,600 performance, and slowly, the world began to take notice. 100 00:06:04,120 --> 00:06:06,260 His voice, raw and powerful. 101 00:06:06,520 --> 00:06:09,860 His lyrics, honest and unapologetic. 102 00:06:10,280 --> 00:06:14,820 They were the perfect blend of everything country music stood for. 103 00:06:15,360 --> 00:06:19,854 And just like that, a small-town kid armed with nothing more than a voice, a 104 00:06:19,920 --> 00:06:24,180 guitar, and a dream, was ready to take on the world. 105 00:06:24,840 --> 00:06:27,734 What started in those local bars and quiet 106 00:06:27,800 --> 00:06:32,420 corners of North Carolina was about to become something much bigger. 107 00:06:33,240 --> 00:06:37,500 He had found his way, and the world would soon hear his story. 108 00:06:38,760 --> 00:06:41,500 Luke Combs was no longer just a dreamer. 109 00:06:41,760 --> 00:06:43,780 He was an artist on the rise. 110 00:06:46,000 --> 00:06:51,100 (dramatic music) 111 00:06:54,240 --> 00:06:58,020 Early 2014 was a big moment for Combs, 112 00:06:58,480 --> 00:07:01,534 the moment where he would seize his destiny 113 00:07:01,600 --> 00:07:06,814 and set out on his personal quest when he packed up his car and left North 114 00:07:06,880 --> 00:07:10,940 Carolina for the heart of country music, Nashville, Tennessee. 115 00:07:25,080 --> 00:07:29,660 Nashville is a town built on talent, but it runs on hustle. 116 00:07:30,320 --> 00:07:33,360 Thankfully for our young hero, he had plenty of both. 117 00:07:34,280 --> 00:07:36,580 He wasn't a songwriter with connections. 118 00:07:36,800 --> 00:07:39,974 He wasn't the polished, next big thing Nashville 119 00:07:40,040 --> 00:07:43,134 executives were looking for, but what he had 120 00:07:43,200 --> 00:07:47,054 was raw, unfettered talent, and a growing army 121 00:07:47,120 --> 00:07:49,820 of fans who saw something special in him. 122 00:07:50,280 --> 00:07:56,134 With no record deal, no manager, and no big-budget studio, Luke did it the only 123 00:07:56,200 --> 00:07:58,780 way he knew how, DIY. 124 00:07:59,400 --> 00:08:01,960 He wasn't waiting for someone to hand him a shot. 125 00:08:02,040 --> 00:08:04,220 He was carving out his own path. 126 00:08:07,960 --> 00:08:10,934 He started self-releasing music, building a fan 127 00:08:11,000 --> 00:08:14,180 base through Facebook, YouTube, and word of mouth. 128 00:08:14,640 --> 00:08:16,220 Word spread quickly. 129 00:08:16,800 --> 00:08:18,300 Luke Combs was different. 130 00:08:18,680 --> 00:08:21,254 He wasn't trying to be the slick, radio 131 00:08:21,320 --> 00:08:23,940 friendly country star that was the norm. 132 00:08:24,560 --> 00:08:26,740 Instead, he was real. 133 00:08:27,360 --> 00:08:30,654 He was raw, and people loved him for it. 134 00:08:30,720 --> 00:08:35,820 (dramatic music) 135 00:08:36,400 --> 00:08:39,740 One song in particular changed everything. 136 00:08:43,600 --> 00:08:45,014 Yeah, I mean, it was when my song 137 00:08:45,080 --> 00:08:49,734 Hurricane kind of came out, and probably before I even had a deal, and so it 138 00:08:49,800 --> 00:08:55,094 was kind of like, man, this really feels like, it feels like real kind of at 139 00:08:55,160 --> 00:08:59,494 that point, because you see it, and you kind of like print it out, like I 140 00:08:59,560 --> 00:09:01,334 remember printing it out, and it was like, 141 00:09:01,400 --> 00:09:02,854 man, this is really neat, you know, like 142 00:09:02,920 --> 00:09:05,494 seeing your name up there with guys that 143 00:09:05,560 --> 00:09:09,060 now you're kind of in the conversation with is really awesome. 144 00:09:11,000 --> 00:09:11,660 Hurricane. 145 00:09:12,320 --> 00:09:16,534 A song he sang from the depths of his heart that captured the pain a heart 146 00:09:16,600 --> 00:09:19,320 break and the storm of emotions that come with it. 147 00:09:20,120 --> 00:09:23,580 There was no pretension in it, just pure honesty. 148 00:09:24,760 --> 00:09:26,734 The lyrics told a story of heartache and 149 00:09:26,800 --> 00:09:30,600 regret, the kind of emotions everyone could relate to. 150 00:09:30,960 --> 00:09:32,774 It wasn't just another country song. 151 00:09:32,840 --> 00:09:34,820 It was his story. 152 00:09:35,640 --> 00:09:36,780 People felt it. 153 00:09:39,560 --> 00:09:42,574 What started as an independent release took off 154 00:09:42,640 --> 00:09:46,294 like wildfire, and within just 24 hours, Hurricane 155 00:09:46,360 --> 00:09:49,180 shot to number one on iTunes' country chart, 156 00:09:49,360 --> 00:09:53,460 beating out major label artists with nothing but a grassroots following. 157 00:09:55,320 --> 00:09:56,620 It wasn't just a hit. 158 00:09:57,000 --> 00:09:57,860 It was a movement. 159 00:09:58,240 --> 00:10:03,140 It caught the attention of fans, industry professionals, and fellow artists. 160 00:10:05,280 --> 00:10:07,580 Luke wasn't just an unknown talent anymore. 161 00:10:07,760 --> 00:10:10,454 He was the guy everyone was talking about, 162 00:10:10,520 --> 00:10:14,614 and that overnight success, it turned into something 163 00:10:14,680 --> 00:10:17,780 much bigger than anyone could have imagined. 164 00:10:18,320 --> 00:10:21,020 It certainly was a hurricane. 165 00:10:22,680 --> 00:10:26,694 That overnight success rather fortuitously turned into a 166 00:10:26,760 --> 00:10:31,780 record deal with Columbia Nashville, and with that, 167 00:10:32,080 --> 00:10:35,420 Luke Combs, the bar singer from North Carolina, 168 00:10:35,520 --> 00:10:38,640 was about to take his music to the world. 169 00:10:39,000 --> 00:10:41,820 He wasn't waiting for fame to find him. 170 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:43,660 He was stepping up to claim it. 171 00:10:44,400 --> 00:10:50,774 The same passion he poured into every song was now the fuel for a career that 172 00:10:50,840 --> 00:10:52,260 was skyrocketing. 173 00:10:52,840 --> 00:10:54,694 It became a multi-week number one hit 174 00:10:54,760 --> 00:10:57,700 on country charts and earned him platinum certification. 175 00:10:58,800 --> 00:11:01,894 ♪ The moon went hidin’, stars quit shinin’ ♪ 176 00:11:01,960 --> 00:11:05,174 ♪ Rain’ was drivin’, thunder, lightnin’ ♪ 177 00:11:05,240 --> 00:11:09,974 ♪ You wrecked my whole world when you came ♪ 178 00:11:10,040 --> 00:11:14,414 ♪ And hit me like a hurricane ♪ 179 00:11:14,480 --> 00:11:16,774 This is my, gosh, fourth year in a row being 180 00:11:16,840 --> 00:11:19,060 nominated, which is crazy to think about. 181 00:11:19,160 --> 00:11:20,880 I try to enjoy it as much as I can. 182 00:11:21,960 --> 00:11:25,700 It would be so cool to win it for the team. 183 00:11:26,600 --> 00:11:30,020 It's been a crazy year for more than a few reasons. 184 00:11:31,200 --> 00:11:32,294 Yeah, it's always big. 185 00:11:32,360 --> 00:11:33,854 Everybody wants to win that one, but I 186 00:11:33,920 --> 00:11:38,740 think you're splitting hairs when you look at who's nominated every year. 187 00:11:38,880 --> 00:11:43,820 You're talking five people, entire body of work for a whole year. 188 00:11:43,960 --> 00:11:46,334 You really are getting down to the minutiae 189 00:11:46,400 --> 00:11:49,620 of what separates somebody else from someone else. 190 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:52,694 So I think just being nominated is huge, 191 00:11:52,760 --> 00:11:56,820 because it means that you're at the top of your craft. 192 00:11:57,160 --> 00:12:00,180 You're amongst the leaders of the pack in what you're doing. 193 00:12:00,680 --> 00:12:01,740 So that's cool. 194 00:12:04,200 --> 00:12:08,214 His debut album, This One's For You, didn't just make waves. 195 00:12:08,280 --> 00:12:10,500 It redefined the country music scene. 196 00:12:13,200 --> 00:12:16,374 Five number one singles, millions of records sold, 197 00:12:16,440 --> 00:12:20,620 and a voice that connected with listeners like no one else in the genre. 198 00:12:21,000 --> 00:12:22,574 It was the album that fans had been 199 00:12:22,640 --> 00:12:25,374 waiting for and the country music world took notice. 200 00:12:25,440 --> 00:12:30,540 (dramatic music) 201 00:12:34,760 --> 00:12:38,974 Luke proved that talent, heart, and authenticity would 202 00:12:39,040 --> 00:12:42,534 always win out over the manufactured image so 203 00:12:42,600 --> 00:12:44,820 many other artists tried to portray. 204 00:12:47,200 --> 00:12:50,640 But what made Luke different wasn't just the music. 205 00:12:51,160 --> 00:12:51,980 It was him. 206 00:12:52,600 --> 00:12:56,060 From years of online exposure on social media, 207 00:12:56,400 --> 00:12:59,140 he had an unprecedented connection with his fans. 208 00:12:59,400 --> 00:13:01,420 Who got to know the real him? 209 00:13:01,920 --> 00:13:06,900 A humble fella who looked like them, sounded like them, was them. 210 00:13:09,680 --> 00:13:12,894 In an industry built on image, Luke Combs 211 00:13:12,960 --> 00:13:16,540 proved that authenticity was all you really needed. 212 00:13:16,880 --> 00:13:18,574 He wasn't trying to be someone else. 213 00:13:18,640 --> 00:13:21,020 He wasn't pretending to be anything he wasn't. 214 00:13:21,400 --> 00:13:23,214 What he brought to the table was the 215 00:13:23,280 --> 00:13:26,880 most powerful thing he could offer, his true self. 216 00:13:27,440 --> 00:13:29,260 He wasn't just another country singer. 217 00:13:29,600 --> 00:13:32,740 He was the kind of artist that country music needed. 218 00:13:33,120 --> 00:13:36,020 A voice that resonated with the every man. 219 00:13:36,520 --> 00:13:41,420 A guy who wasn't afraid to stand tall and say, this is who I am. 220 00:13:42,520 --> 00:13:48,060 And in that moment, Luke Combs wasn't just an artist with a growing fan base. 221 00:13:48,400 --> 00:13:51,534 He was poised to be country music's next superstar. 222 00:13:51,600 --> 00:13:56,660 He was rewriting the rules and his story was only just beginning. 223 00:13:57,160 --> 00:13:59,174 The best was yet to come. 224 00:13:59,240 --> 00:14:03,454 (dramatic music) 225 00:14:03,520 --> 00:14:06,380 By now, Luke Combs had done the impossible. 226 00:14:06,760 --> 00:14:08,340 He wasn't just a rising star. 227 00:14:08,520 --> 00:14:10,500 He was the star. 228 00:14:11,040 --> 00:14:13,060 His albums were topping the charts. 229 00:14:13,480 --> 00:14:16,694 His songs were in constant radio rotation and 230 00:14:16,760 --> 00:14:19,380 his tours were selling out in minutes. 231 00:14:20,120 --> 00:14:21,940 It wasn't just success. 232 00:14:22,680 --> 00:14:23,940 It was a movement. 233 00:14:24,920 --> 00:14:28,254 Luke had tapped into something real, something genuine 234 00:14:28,320 --> 00:14:30,420 that country music had been craving. 235 00:14:30,760 --> 00:14:33,534 But there was something different about him, something 236 00:14:33,600 --> 00:14:37,020 that set him apart from the rest of country music's elite. 237 00:14:37,960 --> 00:14:44,140 Country music has long had an image, a look, a persona, a way of doing things. 238 00:14:44,400 --> 00:14:45,300 There was a formula. 239 00:14:45,760 --> 00:14:49,094 The polished suits, the perfect hair, the well 240 00:14:49,160 --> 00:14:52,614 - curated social media posts, the image was as 241 00:14:52,680 --> 00:14:55,300 much a part of the industry as the music itself. 242 00:14:55,880 --> 00:14:58,420 But Luke, he broke the mold. 243 00:14:58,880 --> 00:15:03,740 He didn't fit the Nashville formula and that's exactly why fans loved him. 244 00:15:04,200 --> 00:15:05,860 He wasn't chasing perfection. 245 00:15:06,280 --> 00:15:11,420 He was chasing authenticity and it was obvious to everyone who listened. 246 00:15:11,920 --> 00:15:14,780 While other country stars carefully crafted their image, 247 00:15:15,320 --> 00:15:17,900 Luke doubled down on being himself. 248 00:15:20,440 --> 00:15:22,694 He grew up on the greats and it 249 00:15:22,760 --> 00:15:26,540 showed, but unlike the polished stars before him, 250 00:15:26,880 --> 00:15:29,220 Luke Combs embraced imperfection. 251 00:15:30,880 --> 00:15:34,414 He made it a point to show his fans that he was just a regular guy 252 00:15:34,480 --> 00:15:38,940 who had been lucky enough to live his dream and he never took that for granted. 253 00:15:40,600 --> 00:15:45,934 Yeah, so I'm doing a song called Where the Wild Things Are, which was the first 254 00:15:46,000 --> 00:15:47,494 song I've ever cut that I didn't write 255 00:15:47,560 --> 00:15:50,094 actually, and a dear friend of mine, Randy 256 00:15:50,160 --> 00:15:52,934 Montana, wrote that song with a guy named 257 00:15:53,000 --> 00:15:56,254 Dave Turnbull and I remember hearing it, I 258 00:15:56,320 --> 00:15:58,300 don't know, five or six years ago probably. 259 00:15:59,280 --> 00:16:02,340 It's kind of a famous song around town, 260 00:16:02,520 --> 00:16:05,174 like passed amongst writers and be like, you 261 00:16:05,240 --> 00:16:06,814 gotta hear this song, you know, it's great 262 00:16:06,880 --> 00:16:09,254 and it's a great story song and something 263 00:16:09,320 --> 00:16:12,420 different than probably I've ever done on the CMAs. 264 00:16:13,280 --> 00:16:15,934 Where the Wild Things Are is a song 265 00:16:16,000 --> 00:16:19,180 by Luke Combs that explores themes of adventure, 266 00:16:19,840 --> 00:16:23,060 freedom, and embracing life's unpredictable journey. 267 00:16:23,520 --> 00:16:26,174 It was well received by fans and critics 268 00:16:26,240 --> 00:16:30,180 alike, contributing to Luke Combs' continued success. 269 00:16:30,520 --> 00:16:34,734 While it didn't top the charts like some of his other hits, it became a fan 270 00:16:34,800 --> 00:16:37,054 favorite and added to his reputation as a 271 00:16:37,120 --> 00:16:39,960 versatile artist with a strong connection to his audience. 272 00:16:41,840 --> 00:16:48,294 ♪ Oh, oh-oh, the nights ignite like gasoline ♪ 273 00:16:48,360 --> 00:16:54,974 ♪ And light up those streets that never sleep when the sky goes dark ♪ 274 00:16:55,040 --> 00:16:57,660 ♪ Out where the wild things are ♪ 275 00:16:58,720 --> 00:17:03,654 (dramatic music) 276 00:17:03,720 --> 00:17:07,894 Through social media, through concerts, through interviews, he 277 00:17:07,960 --> 00:17:11,494 was always given pieces of himself, keeping the 278 00:17:11,560 --> 00:17:14,820 connection between him and his audience alive. 279 00:17:15,360 --> 00:17:16,660 And it worked. 280 00:17:16,880 --> 00:17:19,940 Fans weren't just fans, they were a part of his journey. 281 00:17:21,520 --> 00:17:24,540 It was also a time In October 2024, 282 00:17:25,240 --> 00:17:28,974 Hurricane Helene caused significant devastation in Western North 283 00:17:29,040 --> 00:17:33,980 Carolina, prompting local communities to seek assistance for recovery efforts. 284 00:17:34,800 --> 00:17:38,094 In response, country music stars and North Carolina 285 00:17:38,160 --> 00:17:41,334 natives, Luke Combs and Eric Church, organized the 286 00:17:41,400 --> 00:17:44,934 Concert for Carolina, a benefit event held on 287 00:17:45,000 --> 00:17:50,254 October 26th, 2024 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. 288 00:17:50,320 --> 00:17:54,934 (dramatic music) 289 00:17:55,000 --> 00:17:59,374 Oh my gosh, I mean, the Concert for Carolina was, you know, one of the things 290 00:17:59,440 --> 00:18:03,574 that I will be most proud of, I think, you know, in 20 or 30 years 291 00:18:03,640 --> 00:18:05,174 when I look back on everything that I 292 00:18:05,240 --> 00:18:07,614 was able to accomplish, being able to give 293 00:18:07,680 --> 00:18:11,974 back to, you know, the place that has given me so much and the people who 294 00:18:12,040 --> 00:18:16,300 made me who I am is something that means the world to me. 295 00:18:16,920 --> 00:18:19,814 You know, as soon as reports and images 296 00:18:19,880 --> 00:18:22,454 started coming out about what was going on 297 00:18:22,520 --> 00:18:25,014 there, you know, I immediately reached out to 298 00:18:25,080 --> 00:18:29,014 my manager and to Eric Church and I said, hey, we have to do something and 299 00:18:29,080 --> 00:18:31,294 I want it to be huge and I don't know how we're going to pull it 300 00:18:31,360 --> 00:18:32,700 off, but we got to figure it out. 301 00:18:33,120 --> 00:18:35,580 And so many incredible people came together. 302 00:18:36,120 --> 00:18:38,654 So many different teams worked together in such 303 00:18:38,720 --> 00:18:41,320 a small amount of time to make that happen. 304 00:18:41,680 --> 00:18:44,974 I would be lying to you if I told you it was an easy thing to put together. 305 00:18:45,040 --> 00:18:47,614 It was an absolute logistical mess to get 306 00:18:47,680 --> 00:18:50,614 that done, but it was totally worth it. 307 00:18:50,680 --> 00:18:53,080 I would do it again every day if I could. 308 00:18:53,720 --> 00:18:56,740 Yeah, it was a pretty amazing night. 309 00:18:59,280 --> 00:19:01,414 But even as Luke Combs sat at the 310 00:19:01,480 --> 00:19:04,020 top of the charts, something else was happening. 311 00:19:04,760 --> 00:19:08,980 His life was changing and with it, so was his music. 312 00:19:10,120 --> 00:19:13,140 My favorite experience is always writing the songs. 313 00:19:13,280 --> 00:19:18,134 I think that's what I really love to do, that process of, you know, I came 314 00:19:18,200 --> 00:19:21,414 together with Jesse Alexander and Jonathan Singleton, two 315 00:19:21,480 --> 00:19:23,540 people who I've written with a ton before, 316 00:19:23,760 --> 00:19:27,614 and so that was easy and natural, and I believe we wrote the song in an 317 00:19:27,680 --> 00:19:28,860 hour, an hour and a half. 318 00:19:29,200 --> 00:19:30,840 But, you know, it was a lot of fun. 319 00:19:31,960 --> 00:19:34,760 And, you know, the music video was really challenging. 320 00:19:34,840 --> 00:19:37,460 I'm not a big music video guy. 321 00:19:38,200 --> 00:19:39,660 I don't really love doing those. 322 00:19:40,200 --> 00:19:42,574 I'm not, definitely not, wouldn't consider myself an 323 00:19:42,640 --> 00:19:46,614 actor by any stretch of the imagination, but it was an interesting day. 324 00:19:46,680 --> 00:19:47,540 It was a long day. 325 00:19:48,000 --> 00:19:50,294 I got completely soaked from head to toe 326 00:19:50,360 --> 00:19:52,414 in my clothes three or four different times, 327 00:19:52,480 --> 00:19:55,860 so it was an interesting day, for sure, but that was fun. 328 00:19:57,040 --> 00:20:00,094 Luke Combs' song Ain't No Love in Oklahoma 329 00:20:00,160 --> 00:20:04,014 captures the heartache of lost love in a 330 00:20:04,080 --> 00:20:07,020 place where emotions feel distant and cold. 331 00:20:07,480 --> 00:20:11,694 It has garnered widespread success, resonating with fans 332 00:20:11,760 --> 00:20:14,860 for its raw emotion and authentic country sound, 333 00:20:15,440 --> 00:20:16,980 becoming a hit on the charts. 334 00:20:17,840 --> 00:20:20,934 ♪ Scared of nothing and I’m scared to death ♪ 335 00:20:21,000 --> 00:20:24,094 ♪ I can’t breathe and I catch my breath ♪ 336 00:20:24,160 --> 00:20:27,054 ♪ But I keep chasing that same old devil ♪ 337 00:20:27,120 --> 00:20:30,734 ♪ Down the same old dead-end highway ♪ 338 00:20:30,800 --> 00:20:34,694 ♪ Ain’t no love in Oklahoma ♪ 339 00:20:34,760 --> 00:20:39,934 They wanted me to write something up-tempo and fun and fast, and that's what we 340 00:20:40,000 --> 00:20:42,574 did, and it turned out to be really great. 341 00:20:42,640 --> 00:20:44,414 You know, I didn't know really what to expect. 342 00:20:44,480 --> 00:20:48,214 I don't have too much experience doing stuff like that, but it was a lot of fun. 343 00:20:48,280 --> 00:20:49,974 The performance is really high energy, a lot 344 00:20:50,040 --> 00:20:54,454 of cool lights and fire and stuff we've never done. 345 00:20:54,520 --> 00:20:59,014 We've never done that stuff ever before, so I think it makes it a little bit 346 00:20:59,080 --> 00:21:03,334 cooler for us to, you know, as people who don't, me and my band, we really 347 00:21:03,400 --> 00:21:04,574 shy away from that stuff. 348 00:21:04,640 --> 00:21:07,974 We like to let the music speak for itself, but I think this song is the 349 00:21:08,040 --> 00:21:11,214 perfect time to dip our toe into that, so we're excited about it. 350 00:21:11,280 --> 00:21:11,947 It's going to be a lot of fun. 351 00:21:13,400 --> 00:21:15,340 Luke Combs had done it all. 352 00:21:15,720 --> 00:21:17,334 In just a few short years, he had 353 00:21:17,400 --> 00:21:20,854 gone from playing dive bars to headlining stadiums. 354 00:21:20,920 --> 00:21:23,980 His rise had been nothing short of meteoric, 355 00:21:24,120 --> 00:21:26,534 and there was no denying that the country 356 00:21:26,600 --> 00:21:29,620 music world had found its newest superstar. 357 00:21:30,120 --> 00:21:33,454 His albums were breaking records, his songs were 358 00:21:33,520 --> 00:21:38,540 dominating the airwaves, and his name was etched in country music history. 359 00:21:39,480 --> 00:21:45,140 But with success comes pressure, and with pressure comes change. 360 00:21:47,240 --> 00:21:50,734 Being a country artist, sometimes you can feel 361 00:21:50,800 --> 00:21:52,994 like you're not one of the cool kids 362 00:21:53,060 --> 00:21:55,654 a little bit sometimes, and so it's really great to be here. 363 00:21:55,720 --> 00:21:57,820 Obviously, it's a little bit different. 364 00:21:58,200 --> 00:22:04,334 I think this year, this is all really new to me anyways, but then adding all 365 00:22:04,400 --> 00:22:07,014 the safety protocols and stuff, it's been really 366 00:22:07,080 --> 00:22:07,980 different, but it's been awesome. 367 00:22:11,120 --> 00:22:14,254 Just being in the conversation and having the 368 00:22:14,320 --> 00:22:17,414 chance to win is really great, and I know that people say that a lot, but 369 00:22:17,480 --> 00:22:21,534 I just try to enjoy it while I'm here and not try to focus on stuff 370 00:22:21,600 --> 00:22:22,540 that's out of my control. 371 00:22:24,480 --> 00:22:30,494 It's been kind of a really unexpected break and pause in the middle of a really 372 00:22:30,560 --> 00:22:35,814 chaotic kind of rise, I guess, to this level, and so it has given me some 373 00:22:35,880 --> 00:22:39,020 time to step away from that, from the, 374 00:22:39,160 --> 00:22:42,574 I don't want to say spotlight because I'm still out doing a bunch of stuff and 375 00:22:42,640 --> 00:22:45,814 trying to be as present as I can for the fans, but yeah, I've written a 376 00:22:45,880 --> 00:22:48,014 lot of songs in the last seven or 377 00:22:48,080 --> 00:22:50,574 eight months, so that's been really refreshing, something 378 00:22:50,640 --> 00:22:52,574 I haven't gotten to do really since I 379 00:22:52,640 --> 00:22:55,320 moved to Nashville, so that's been a welcome surprise. 380 00:22:55,800 --> 00:22:57,214 Yeah, I mean, it was when my song 381 00:22:57,280 --> 00:23:01,974 Hurricane kind of came out and probably before I even had a deal, and so it 382 00:23:02,040 --> 00:23:07,294 was kind of like, man, this really feels like, it feels like real kind of at 383 00:23:07,360 --> 00:23:11,694 that point because you see it and you kind of like print it out, like I 384 00:23:11,760 --> 00:23:13,734 remember printing it out and was like, man, 385 00:23:13,800 --> 00:23:15,294 this is really neat, you know, like seeing 386 00:23:15,360 --> 00:23:17,934 your name up there with guys that now 387 00:23:18,000 --> 00:23:21,260 you're kind of in the conversation with is really awesome. 388 00:23:25,640 --> 00:23:28,694 Despite all the accolades, Luke remained the same 389 00:23:28,760 --> 00:23:33,100 guy, humble, grateful, and in awe of how far he had come. 390 00:23:33,640 --> 00:23:36,420 But fame has a way of complicating things. 391 00:23:36,760 --> 00:23:40,660 The higher you climb, the harder it is to stay grounded. 392 00:23:45,120 --> 00:23:47,414 The life of a country star isn't just 393 00:23:47,480 --> 00:23:50,854 about the music, it's constant travel, never-ending 394 00:23:50,920 --> 00:23:55,440 performances, the pressure to keep delivering hit after hit. 395 00:23:55,600 --> 00:23:59,174 And for someone as dedicated as Luke, the 396 00:23:59,240 --> 00:24:03,180 fear of letting people down was always in the back of his mind. 397 00:24:03,840 --> 00:24:06,494 His work ethic was unmatched, but the weight 398 00:24:06,560 --> 00:24:09,180 of that responsibility could be heavy. 399 00:24:09,680 --> 00:24:12,334 It's enough to drive anyone mad, and yet 400 00:24:12,400 --> 00:24:16,414 through it all, Luke kept his composure, as 401 00:24:16,480 --> 00:24:18,980 he had one thing that kept him balanced, 402 00:24:19,400 --> 00:24:20,000 love. 403 00:24:22,640 --> 00:24:28,774 Beautiful Crazy is a hit song by Luke Combs, released in 2018 as part of his 404 00:24:28,840 --> 00:24:31,300 debut album, This One's For You Too. 405 00:24:32,000 --> 00:24:34,494 The song is a heartfelt ballad about falling 406 00:24:34,560 --> 00:24:37,694 in love with someone who's unpredictable and full 407 00:24:37,760 --> 00:24:40,860 of quirks, yet incredibly captivating. 408 00:24:41,200 --> 00:24:44,540 It became one of Combs' most successful singles, 409 00:24:44,960 --> 00:24:48,014 topping the Billboard Country Airplay chart for 13 410 00:24:48,080 --> 00:24:52,620 weeks, and it earned platinum certification from the RIA. 411 00:24:53,400 --> 00:24:57,854 Its success helped solidify Luke Combs' elite figure 412 00:24:57,920 --> 00:25:01,254 in modern country music, and the song's romantic 413 00:25:01,320 --> 00:25:05,100 lyrics and relatable themes won over fans across the country. 414 00:25:05,760 --> 00:25:10,340 Beautiful Crazy became one of Combs' signature songs, 415 00:25:10,680 --> 00:25:14,900 contributing to his rise to superstardom in the country music scene. 416 00:25:16,600 --> 00:25:20,054 ♪ Beautiful, crazy 417 00:25:20,120 --> 00:25:24,814 ♪ She can't help but amaze me ♪ 418 00:25:24,880 --> 00:25:27,014 ♪ The way that she dances ♪ 419 00:25:27,080 --> 00:25:29,494 ♪ Ain’t afraid to take chances And where's her heart I wanted to 420 00:25:29,560 --> 00:25:31,494 ♪ And wears her heart ♪ 421 00:25:31,560 --> 00:25:34,534 I wanna know, you wrote the song Crazy Beautiful for 422 00:25:34,600 --> 00:25:37,214 your wife, but before you guys were official, 423 00:25:37,280 --> 00:25:39,934 so I'm wondering, what was her reaction when 424 00:25:40,000 --> 00:25:42,054 you performed it for her for the first time? 425 00:25:42,120 --> 00:25:43,454 Oh man, she loved it. 426 00:25:43,520 --> 00:25:48,414 I mean, it couldn't have went better, so I wrote it like maybe two days before 427 00:25:48,480 --> 00:25:51,934 I played it for her, and then I made sure that one of her friends was 428 00:25:52,000 --> 00:25:55,414 there when I played it for her so that her friend would be like, oh, that's 429 00:25:55,480 --> 00:25:58,974 so nice and everything, so I kind of planned it out, you know, it was kind 430 00:25:59,040 --> 00:26:02,894 of like a, it was kind of like a no-fail situation, I feel like, and 431 00:26:02,960 --> 00:26:05,480 so luckily that worked out, and here we are. 432 00:26:06,880 --> 00:26:11,014 And another song, Forever After All, which also 433 00:26:11,080 --> 00:26:14,414 became another hit single by Luke Combs, released 434 00:26:14,480 --> 00:26:18,540 in 2020 as part of his album What You See Is What You Get. 435 00:26:19,400 --> 00:26:22,054 The song is a romantic ballad that expresses 436 00:26:22,120 --> 00:26:25,734 enduring love and the idea that true love 437 00:26:25,800 --> 00:26:31,040 lasts forever after all, despite life's ups and downs. 438 00:26:31,920 --> 00:26:36,820 ♪ Other things that I could look at my whole life ♪ 439 00:26:38,280 --> 00:26:41,940 ♪ A love like that makes a man have second thoughts ♪ 440 00:26:43,360 --> 00:26:48,654 ♪ Maybe some things last forever after all ♪ 441 00:26:48,720 --> 00:26:53,374 Forever After All is the first song I wrote in me and my wife's house, and 442 00:26:53,440 --> 00:26:57,094 it just felt like the perfect first song to write in there. 443 00:26:57,160 --> 00:27:01,654 We were engaged at the time, and I had two of my closest friends and co 444 00:27:01,720 --> 00:27:04,214 - writers over, Drew Parker and Rob Wilford, and 445 00:27:04,280 --> 00:27:09,414 Rob's in my band, and Drew's an artist at Warner Now, and we always write great 446 00:27:09,480 --> 00:27:11,494 songs together, and I knew that I wanted 447 00:27:11,560 --> 00:27:13,374 to write something special as the first song 448 00:27:13,440 --> 00:27:16,934 in there, and we were all high-fiving by the end of the day because it 449 00:27:17,000 --> 00:27:19,740 was just like, man, I really feel like we knocked this thing out of the park. 450 00:27:19,840 --> 00:27:23,660 You know, using the footage wasn't something that we were planning on. 451 00:27:23,880 --> 00:27:29,174 We did have a videographer at the wedding just for us to see and use and 452 00:27:29,240 --> 00:27:33,894 kind of relive, but when it came time to do the video, me and my wife 453 00:27:33,960 --> 00:27:36,214 talked about it, and we try to be 454 00:27:36,280 --> 00:27:39,814 pretty decently private about our personal lives, 455 00:27:39,880 --> 00:27:42,654 but we also love having that connection with the 456 00:27:42,720 --> 00:27:43,974 fans, you know, because they're the reason that 457 00:27:44,040 --> 00:27:45,494 we're here, and we know that they want 458 00:27:45,560 --> 00:27:48,780 to see those things and feel like they're a part of our lives. 459 00:27:49,000 --> 00:27:51,934 It was cool. It was cool to get to do that and match the song really well. 460 00:27:52,000 --> 00:27:53,260 People seemed to love the video. 461 00:27:54,200 --> 00:27:57,494 I know I got a little bit misty the first time I watched it, for sure, 462 00:27:57,560 --> 00:27:58,534 but it was great. 463 00:27:58,600 --> 00:27:59,540 It ended up being perfect. 464 00:28:01,360 --> 00:28:07,700 In 2020, Luke married Nicole Hawking, his longtime love and biggest supporter. 465 00:28:08,160 --> 00:28:10,974 While his career was exploding, she was his 466 00:28:11,040 --> 00:28:15,574 anchor, keeping him connected to the life he had before the fame. 467 00:28:15,640 --> 00:28:19,534 (dramatic music) 468 00:28:19,600 --> 00:28:22,454 While the world around him was changing at 469 00:28:22,520 --> 00:28:26,900 lightning speed, Nicole provided a sense of normalcy and stability. 470 00:28:27,680 --> 00:28:30,214 The man who once sang about heartbreak and 471 00:28:30,280 --> 00:28:33,260 beer-soaked nights was now writing about love, 472 00:28:33,640 --> 00:28:35,740 family, and the future. 473 00:28:36,760 --> 00:28:39,300 His songs weren't just hits. 474 00:28:39,760 --> 00:28:42,014 They were a reflection of who he was 475 00:28:42,080 --> 00:28:46,700 becoming and an expression of what he wanted life to be. 476 00:28:48,440 --> 00:28:52,780 And then, another life-changing moment, fatherhood. 477 00:28:56,840 --> 00:29:01,694 The man who had once sung about the struggles of being a small-town kid was 478 00:29:01,760 --> 00:29:04,180 now writing songs about the joy of home, 479 00:29:04,480 --> 00:29:07,254 the beauty of a solid relationship, and the 480 00:29:07,320 --> 00:29:09,380 challenges of living in the spotlight. 481 00:29:10,560 --> 00:29:14,134 Luke's sound matured, but the essence of who 482 00:29:14,200 --> 00:29:20,054 he was stayed the same, a country boy with a big heart ready to share the 483 00:29:20,120 --> 00:29:22,214 highs and lows of life with the people 484 00:29:22,280 --> 00:29:24,380 who had supported him from the beginning. 485 00:29:25,000 --> 00:29:30,460 As his music evolved, so did his role in the country music world. 486 00:29:31,160 --> 00:29:33,620 Luke wasn't just a chart-topping artist. 487 00:29:33,800 --> 00:29:35,980 He was a leader, a voice. 488 00:29:36,640 --> 00:29:39,134 For the generation that didn't want to follow 489 00:29:39,200 --> 00:29:43,094 the trends but wanted something real, something that 490 00:29:43,160 --> 00:29:45,300 spoke to their experiences. 491 00:29:46,880 --> 00:29:49,254 And as his personal life and career continued 492 00:29:49,320 --> 00:29:52,254 to unfold, there was no doubt that Luke 493 00:29:52,320 --> 00:29:54,540 Combs was more than just a country star. 494 00:29:55,000 --> 00:29:56,260 He was becoming an icon. 495 00:29:56,600 --> 00:29:57,780 The world watched. 496 00:29:58,120 --> 00:30:02,100 His best songs, his best days were still ahead of him. 497 00:30:04,400 --> 00:30:07,900 By 2024, Luke Combs announced his newest album, 498 00:30:08,240 --> 00:30:09,134 Father and Sons. 499 00:30:09,200 --> 00:30:11,780 This next chapter is personal. 500 00:30:12,240 --> 00:30:15,580 It's about life, family, and the things that matter most. 501 00:30:16,960 --> 00:30:23,534 His song, Front Door Famous, reflects on the idea of being a big deal in your 502 00:30:23,600 --> 00:30:27,454 small town where everyone knows you, but not 503 00:30:27,520 --> 00:30:30,940 necessarily in the spotlight of mainstream fame. 504 00:30:31,320 --> 00:30:34,334 It highlights the charm of being recognized and 505 00:30:34,400 --> 00:30:38,940 appreciated by those who matter most, your community. 506 00:30:39,760 --> 00:30:42,414 ♪ Spotlight can’t replace it ♪ 507 00:30:42,480 --> 00:30:45,574 ♪ In a heartbeat, man, I’d trade it ♪ 508 00:30:45,640 --> 00:30:50,454 (dramatic music) 509 00:30:50,520 --> 00:30:55,540 ♪ ‘Cause it ain’t got nothin’ on bein’ front-door-famous ♪ 510 00:30:56,400 --> 00:30:59,614 Father and Sons is characterized by its serene 511 00:30:59,680 --> 00:31:03,334 and cohesive sound, which as a result accompanies 512 00:31:03,400 --> 00:31:06,174 his collaboration with his long-time producers, Chip 513 00:31:06,240 --> 00:31:07,940 Matthews and Jonathan Singleton. 514 00:31:08,680 --> 00:31:11,980 Together, they created an album that feels intimate, 515 00:31:12,160 --> 00:31:14,800 almost as intimate like a conversation with the listener. 516 00:31:15,040 --> 00:31:19,094 The production compliments the heartfelt subject matter, offering 517 00:31:19,160 --> 00:31:22,214 a poignant exploration of Luke's personal journey into 518 00:31:22,280 --> 00:31:24,820 fatherhood and the values he holds dear. 519 00:31:25,120 --> 00:31:29,014 It's an album full of warmth, tenderness, and 520 00:31:29,080 --> 00:31:33,380 the kind of authenticity that fans have come to expect from him. 521 00:31:34,640 --> 00:31:40,614 The lead single, The Man He Sees in Me, is a standout track, an ode to 522 00:31:40,680 --> 00:31:44,140 the aspirations and responsibilities of being a father. 523 00:31:44,680 --> 00:31:49,374 In it, Luke reflects on the impact his father had on him and how he hopes 524 00:31:49,440 --> 00:31:51,900 to pass that legacy on to his son. 525 00:31:52,120 --> 00:31:54,854 It's a song that resonates deeply with anyone 526 00:31:54,920 --> 00:32:00,774 who has ever wondered what kind of parent they will be or what kind of man 527 00:32:00,840 --> 00:32:01,860 they will raise. 528 00:32:02,600 --> 00:32:05,894 For fathers everywhere, the lyrics hit home, echoing 529 00:32:05,960 --> 00:32:11,140 the universal desire to be the best role model and provider for their children. 530 00:32:12,080 --> 00:32:15,094 The song's emotional depth has struck a chord 531 00:32:15,160 --> 00:32:19,574 with audiences, further cementing the album's success both 532 00:32:19,640 --> 00:32:21,580 commercially and critically. 533 00:32:22,720 --> 00:32:26,860 ♪ Between him leavin’ home and drivin’ on my knee ♪ 534 00:32:27,920 --> 00:32:34,054 ♪ But maybe I’ll finally be the man he sees in me ♪ 535 00:32:34,120 --> 00:32:40,340 (dramatic music) 536 00:32:42,480 --> 00:32:46,420 Every father who has a son has a deep understanding of these lyrics. 537 00:32:47,360 --> 00:32:52,134 (dramatic music) 538 00:32:52,200 --> 00:32:57,500 Looking ahead, 2025 is shaping up to be a monumental year for Luke Combs. 539 00:32:57,640 --> 00:33:00,214 He's not only continuing to connect with his 540 00:33:00,280 --> 00:33:05,460 ever-growing fan base, but he's taking his music around the world. 541 00:33:05,880 --> 00:33:07,814 Luke is set to headline some of the 542 00:33:07,880 --> 00:33:11,294 biggest festivals in the country music scene, including 543 00:33:11,360 --> 00:33:16,174 Stagecoach 2025 and Jazz Fest, marking major milestones 544 00:33:16,240 --> 00:33:18,100 in his international career. 545 00:33:18,320 --> 00:33:20,894 But one of the most exciting events of 546 00:33:20,960 --> 00:33:25,260 the year is his record-breaking stadium tour in Australia. 547 00:33:26,000 --> 00:33:29,574 Luke Combs performed at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on 548 00:33:29,640 --> 00:33:35,334 January 24th and 25th, 2025, attracting a combined 549 00:33:35,400 --> 00:33:40,780 audience of approximately 100,000 fans over the two nights. 550 00:33:41,360 --> 00:33:46,740 Each concert drew around 50,000 attendees, filling the stadium to capacity. 551 00:33:47,280 --> 00:33:50,174 Despite an afternoon storm that caused a brief 552 00:33:50,240 --> 00:33:55,140 delay, the atmosphere was electric when the concert finally began. 553 00:33:55,680 --> 00:33:58,254 Many decked out in cowboy hats, flannel shirts 554 00:33:58,320 --> 00:34:01,660 and boots, their enthusiasm impossible to ignore. 555 00:34:03,960 --> 00:34:08,134 Combs delivered a dynamic two-hour set, performing 556 00:34:08,200 --> 00:34:12,734 24 songs, including fan favorites like The Kind 557 00:34:12,800 --> 00:34:17,060 of Love We Make and Beer Never Broke My Heart. 558 00:34:17,520 --> 00:34:20,174 The energy in the crowd was palpable, as 559 00:34:20,240 --> 00:34:23,740 Luke's powerful voice reverberated through the stadium. 560 00:34:24,680 --> 00:34:26,374 One of the most touching moments of the 561 00:34:26,440 --> 00:34:28,814 evening occurred when a fan proposed to his 562 00:34:28,880 --> 00:34:32,214 partner during the show, adding an extra layer 563 00:34:32,280 --> 00:34:35,380 of emotion to the already charged atmosphere. 564 00:34:36,200 --> 00:34:39,294 It was a beautiful reminder that Luke's music 565 00:34:39,360 --> 00:34:42,420 isn't just a soundtrack to his fans' lives. 566 00:34:42,760 --> 00:34:46,120 It's a part of their most important moments, too. 567 00:34:46,600 --> 00:34:50,014 This performance followed the success of his 2023 568 00:34:50,080 --> 00:34:53,814 Australian tour, which saw tickets selling out at 569 00:34:53,880 --> 00:34:58,780 lightning speed, a testament to Luke's growing international fan base. 570 00:34:59,240 --> 00:35:01,654 The venue was a sea of Western attire 571 00:35:01,720 --> 00:35:05,574 as fans embraced the country music culture, eagerly 572 00:35:05,640 --> 00:35:08,660 awaiting the chance to see Luke perform live. 573 00:35:09,360 --> 00:35:11,894 His set list included his biggest hits like 574 00:35:11,960 --> 00:35:15,694 Lovin' on You and Beautiful Crazy, as well 575 00:35:15,760 --> 00:35:18,460 as a cover of Tracy Chapman's Fast Car, 576 00:35:18,880 --> 00:35:22,254 showcasing his versatility as an artist and his 577 00:35:22,320 --> 00:35:25,480 ability to connect with fans on a personal level. 578 00:35:26,160 --> 00:35:27,900 It wasn't just a concert. 579 00:35:28,240 --> 00:35:34,220 It was an experience, and it left an indelible mark on everyone who attended. 580 00:35:35,600 --> 00:35:37,694 The tour was insane this year, the whole 581 00:35:37,760 --> 00:35:41,660 thing, from the stadiums to the Australia tour to the Europe tour. 582 00:35:42,080 --> 00:35:45,620 We did 18 countries this year, which was crazy, crazy. 583 00:35:46,400 --> 00:35:49,820 So it was a wild, busy year. 584 00:35:50,440 --> 00:35:54,140 I mean, country, I think, has never been bigger than it is now. 585 00:35:54,240 --> 00:35:58,460 I think the only time that comes close is the 90s. 586 00:35:58,720 --> 00:36:02,860 Those early 90s, mid-90s years were just massive, too. 587 00:36:03,120 --> 00:36:04,140 So it's neat. 588 00:36:04,240 --> 00:36:07,620 I think country's kind of cool right now, 589 00:36:08,120 --> 00:36:09,980 and it's neat to be a part of that in a small way. 590 00:36:11,880 --> 00:36:14,854 Building on the success of Father & Sons, 591 00:36:14,920 --> 00:36:18,774 fans are eagerly awaiting what comes next. 592 00:36:18,840 --> 00:36:22,460 While specifics about future releases remain under wraps, 593 00:36:23,040 --> 00:36:26,820 it's clear that Luke's creative evolution is far from over. 594 00:36:27,120 --> 00:36:29,774 His ability to evolve while staying true to 595 00:36:29,840 --> 00:36:33,060 himself has been the hallmark of his career, 596 00:36:33,240 --> 00:36:36,574 and it seems likely that upcoming projects will 597 00:36:36,640 --> 00:36:39,614 continue to push boundaries and further solidify his 598 00:36:39,680 --> 00:36:41,460 place in country music history. 599 00:36:44,080 --> 00:36:45,254 Oh, yeah, it's great. 600 00:36:45,320 --> 00:36:46,980 I mean, anytime is unbelievable. 601 00:36:48,280 --> 00:36:52,900 You know, I think it's, every time's really hard to believe, honestly. 602 00:36:53,120 --> 00:36:56,854 I didn't ever think that I would get this far, so I'm just really thankful for 603 00:36:56,920 --> 00:36:57,520 it is all. 604 00:36:57,840 --> 00:37:04,654 (dramatic music) 605 00:37:04,720 --> 00:37:07,974 Luke Combs' journey is far from finished, and 606 00:37:08,040 --> 00:37:10,134 with the success of Father & Sons and 607 00:37:10,200 --> 00:37:13,414 his upcoming global tours, it's evident that his 608 00:37:13,480 --> 00:37:15,740 influence is only continuing to grow. 609 00:37:16,520 --> 00:37:19,694 2025 promises to be a defining year for 610 00:37:19,760 --> 00:37:23,180 Luke as an artist, father, and global superstar. 611 00:37:26,640 --> 00:37:28,654 As he writes the next chapter of his 612 00:37:28,720 --> 00:37:31,334 story, there's no doubt that his music will 613 00:37:31,400 --> 00:37:36,740 continue to inspire, connect, and resonate with fans for years to come. 614 00:37:38,560 --> 00:37:44,860 I gotta ask you, COVID-19 has had it on the entertainment business and touring. 615 00:37:45,240 --> 00:37:47,734 I wanna ask you, how have you pivoted, 616 00:37:47,800 --> 00:37:52,774 and what are your thoughts on the artists that can't go on the road right now 617 00:37:52,840 --> 00:37:55,460 and don't have the big, massive following? 618 00:37:55,920 --> 00:37:57,334 Sure, I mean, I think it's the perfect 619 00:37:57,400 --> 00:37:59,974 opportunity to be writing the best songs that 620 00:38:00,040 --> 00:38:02,014 you've ever written, to be engaging with your 621 00:38:02,080 --> 00:38:03,700 fan base more than you've ever done. 622 00:38:03,920 --> 00:38:07,020 That's all that I've tried to do over the last seven or eight months. 623 00:38:07,240 --> 00:38:08,660 That's all that any of us can do. 624 00:38:08,880 --> 00:38:10,614 Obviously, going out and playing shows is not 625 00:38:10,680 --> 00:38:14,854 something that most of us are able to do, and actually, I think a lot of 626 00:38:14,920 --> 00:38:18,534 the smaller acts will be getting into playing before bigger acts will be. 627 00:38:18,600 --> 00:38:21,854 So if you have that opportunity and you can do it safe, I would urge people 628 00:38:21,920 --> 00:38:23,880 to go out and play in a safe environment. 629 00:38:24,320 --> 00:38:26,420 But just write songs, connect with your fans, 630 00:38:26,680 --> 00:38:28,574 get in the studio, do whatever you can 631 00:38:28,640 --> 00:38:32,100 to keep moving forward, and, you know, just adapt to the situation. 632 00:38:33,000 --> 00:38:34,060 It feels really cool. 633 00:38:34,240 --> 00:38:36,174 I think being nominated for Entertainer of the 634 00:38:36,240 --> 00:38:39,934 Year is an incredible accomplishment for anybody, and 635 00:38:40,000 --> 00:38:43,220 it's something that I'm really proud of and a little intimidated by. 636 00:38:44,080 --> 00:38:46,174 You know, fingers crossed, we'll see what happens. 637 00:38:46,240 --> 00:38:49,300 If it does, that would be incredible, and if not, we'll give them next time. 638 00:38:49,840 --> 00:38:53,360 This show will be tremendously different than any show. 639 00:38:53,440 --> 00:38:55,214 This is actually my fifth award show that 640 00:38:55,280 --> 00:38:59,374 I've done since COVID times, and so I'm kind of a little bit more used to 641 00:38:59,440 --> 00:39:01,540 the protocols than I think some maybe are. 642 00:39:02,000 --> 00:39:03,934 But this will be the first time with 643 00:39:04,000 --> 00:39:06,174 everybody in the audience, and I'm really looking 644 00:39:06,240 --> 00:39:09,940 forward to seeing everybody and watching everybody's performances, 645 00:39:10,320 --> 00:39:12,174 but I think I'm looking forward to performing 646 00:39:12,240 --> 00:39:14,614 myself the most, playing with the guys in 647 00:39:14,680 --> 00:39:18,734 my band and getting to play, you know, a song in front of my peers is 648 00:39:18,800 --> 00:39:22,574 always something to look forward to, and we're going to have fun with it. 649 00:39:22,640 --> 00:39:27,814 ♪ Maybe some things last forever after all ♪ 650 00:39:27,880 --> 00:39:31,020 From small-town bars to sold-out stadiums, 651 00:39:31,120 --> 00:39:36,180 Luke Combs started as a dreamer with a guitar playing for whoever would listen. 652 00:39:36,720 --> 00:39:39,774 Today, he stands as one of country music's 653 00:39:39,840 --> 00:39:43,574 biggest and most beloved stars, a voice that 654 00:39:43,640 --> 00:39:47,760 speaks to the everyday struggles, joys, and triumphs of life. 655 00:39:50,600 --> 00:39:52,374 Yeah, you know, I think any time you're 656 00:39:52,440 --> 00:39:54,740 nominated for Entertainer is pretty wild. 657 00:39:55,120 --> 00:39:56,900 Hard to believe still, really. 658 00:39:57,040 --> 00:39:59,840 Just being in the conversation is really cool for me. 659 00:40:00,240 --> 00:40:02,454 It's something, you grew up watching the CMA 660 00:40:02,520 --> 00:40:09,054 Awards and seeing your people that you idolize win that, and just to be in the 661 00:40:09,120 --> 00:40:10,220 mix for it is pretty cool. 662 00:40:10,360 --> 00:40:12,620 Obviously, I think all of us nominated would like to win. 663 00:40:12,720 --> 00:40:16,420 I would love to win, but if not, hey, it's going to be good either way. 664 00:40:17,720 --> 00:40:20,814 In a groundbreaking moment for the genre, Combs 665 00:40:20,880 --> 00:40:23,374 has been announced as the first ever country 666 00:40:23,440 --> 00:40:28,680 artist to headline the legendary Lollapalooza Festival in Chicago. 667 00:40:29,240 --> 00:40:32,454 Known for its eclectic lineup that typically leans 668 00:40:32,520 --> 00:40:36,894 toward rock, pop, and alternative acts, Lollapalooza's decision 669 00:40:36,960 --> 00:40:40,174 to feature a country headliner signals just how 670 00:40:40,240 --> 00:40:42,660 far Combs' influence has reached. 671 00:40:43,240 --> 00:40:45,534 He'll be sharing the spotlight with an impressive 672 00:40:45,600 --> 00:40:50,654 list of performers, including Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, 673 00:40:50,720 --> 00:40:52,060 and many others. 674 00:40:53,360 --> 00:40:55,774 On top of that, if there's one place 675 00:40:55,840 --> 00:40:59,534 that defines country music's legacy, it's the Grand 676 00:40:59,600 --> 00:41:03,700 Ole Opry, and this year marks an incredible milestone. 677 00:41:04,440 --> 00:41:08,574 To celebrate the Opry's 100th anniversary, NBC and 678 00:41:08,640 --> 00:41:11,814 Peacock featured a special three-hour event titled 679 00:41:11,880 --> 00:41:17,500 Opry 100, A Live Celebration on March 19th, 680 00:41:17,880 --> 00:41:18,740 2025. 681 00:41:19,920 --> 00:41:23,374 Hosted by Blake Shelton, the event featured some 682 00:41:23,440 --> 00:41:25,934 of the biggest names in country music, including 683 00:41:26,000 --> 00:41:30,780 Luke Combs, Kelsey Ballerini, Keith Urban, and Brad Paisley. 684 00:41:31,400 --> 00:41:34,254 Combs, who has become a modern face of 685 00:41:34,320 --> 00:41:38,094 country, delivered a powerful performance that pays homage 686 00:41:38,160 --> 00:41:43,260 to the Opry's deep roots while putting his own contemporary spin on things. 687 00:41:43,960 --> 00:41:46,574 For Combs, stepping onto the Opry stage to 688 00:41:46,640 --> 00:41:50,507 mark such a historic occasion is a full-circle moment, 689 00:41:50,573 --> 00:41:52,174 a nod to the institution that 690 00:41:52,240 --> 00:41:55,980 helped shape his career and the music he loves. 691 00:41:59,600 --> 00:42:06,254 ♪ And hit me like a hurricane ♪ 692 00:42:06,320 --> 00:42:10,940 ♪ You hit me like a hurricane ♪ 693 00:42:14,040 --> 00:42:20,094 (dramatic music) 694 00:42:20,160 --> 00:42:23,214 His rise wasn't built on gimmicks or industry 695 00:42:23,280 --> 00:42:26,780 polish, but on raw talent, relentless hard work, 696 00:42:27,000 --> 00:42:32,940 and an unwavering connection to the people who made him who he is, his fans. 697 00:42:33,760 --> 00:42:36,414 It's about the power of a song, the 698 00:42:36,480 --> 00:42:39,700 kind that makes you feel something deep down, 699 00:42:40,000 --> 00:42:43,980 the kind that tells a story you swear was written about your own life. 700 00:42:44,640 --> 00:42:50,340 It's about the emotions, the memories, and the moments that music creates. 701 00:42:51,320 --> 00:42:53,814 Whether it's a heartbreak anthem, a back-road 702 00:42:53,880 --> 00:42:56,814 party song, or a heartfelt tribute to love 703 00:42:56,880 --> 00:43:02,180 and family, his music brings people together in a way few artists can. 704 00:43:03,160 --> 00:43:05,934 With every song he writes, every album he 705 00:43:06,000 --> 00:43:11,660 releases, and every stage he steps on, Luke Combs isn't just making music. 706 00:43:11,920 --> 00:43:14,740 He's shaping the future of country music itself. 707 00:43:15,280 --> 00:43:20,300 His impact is undeniable, and his story, well, 708 00:43:20,800 --> 00:43:22,020 it's still being written. 709 00:43:22,400 --> 00:43:26,000 Because for Luke Combs, this isn't the finish line. 710 00:43:26,160 --> 00:43:29,380 It's just another verse in a song that's far from over. 711 00:43:31,240 --> 00:43:34,374 You know, I'm looking forward, really, to just seeing everybody again. 712 00:43:34,440 --> 00:43:36,534 I think it's going to be the best thing. You know what I mean? 713 00:43:36,600 --> 00:43:41,134 Like everybody kind of in the same room and able to hang out and talk to 714 00:43:41,200 --> 00:43:45,334 each other, and just feel a little bit more normal than it has the last couple 715 00:43:45,400 --> 00:43:46,000 of years. 716 00:43:46,880 --> 00:43:48,494 But that's what I'm most excited for. 717 00:43:48,560 --> 00:43:50,454 It's kind of getting that camaraderie feeling back. 718 00:43:50,520 --> 00:43:52,214 I think that's what we all love about being here. 719 00:43:52,280 --> 00:43:57,174 And the people who made me who I am is something that means the world to me. 720 00:43:57,240 --> 00:44:02,340 (dramatic music) 721 00:44:27,480 --> 00:44:32,580 (dramatic music)