It’s been 18 years since Luke Bryan introduced himself to country music, with “All My Friends Say,” the debut single of his freshman album, I’ll Stay Me. Since then, the 48-year-old has had more than 30 No. 1 singles, headlined tours, served as a judge on American Idol, hosted the CMA Awards, had a Las Vegas residency and more.
For all that he has done, Bryan says his best days might still be ahead of him.
“I want to be happy. Really try to harness and enjoy what’s happened in my career,” Bryan tells Taste of Country.
It’s important to Bryan that he enjoys every moment, fleeting as some of them might be, and celebrates his victories, while also reaching for new heights as an artist and performer.
“You’ve heard the stories of becoming an old curmudgeon as you get older. I don’t want to be that,” Bryan maintains. “I want to have fun, and have fun with this career and look back and say, ‘Damn, that was fun!’”
Bryan still has a lot he wants to do in country music, and the entertainment industry as a whole. But with almost two decades of success to his name, the Georgia native also has a wise perspective of how he wants to approach his career moving forward.
“Don’t be bitter about any of the ups and downs, and just make sure I wake up every day and try to become a little bit better singer and songwriter … and spend a little more time with the family.”
Bryan’s eighth studio album, Mind Of A Country Boy, was released last year. The record, his first since Born Here, Live Here, Die Here came out in 2020, is a perfect summation of Bryan’s life and career right now.
“I’ve been able to take my time and really compile songs for this album,” Bryan said when it was released. “If it’s a song that I cut two or three years ago, and I still love it, and it still sounds fresh, then I feel like it’ll stand the test of time … I think this album, as I’ve tried to do with all my albums, just has a little bit of everything.
“I do some things different vocally on this one that I’ve not done before,” he continued. “It’s about each song having its place and having its meaning. It’s trying not to be overly redundant with songs. I think that’s why I’ve been blessed to have a long career and what I feel like this album’s going to do.”
While Bryan has no plans of walking away from the spotlight now, he can already envision what it will be like when that day finally comes.
“I’m still loving it, and as long as I am I’ll keep doing it,” Bryan tells Forbes. “When I look back on my career and how we’ve accomplished even more than I dreamed of, when the day comes down the road, I’ll be able to walk away with only fond memories and proud of how we built the dream.”
Bryan’s latest single, “Country Song Came On,” is at radio now. Find all of his music and upcoming shows at LukeBryan.com.
Photo Credit: Eder Acevedo
