Luke Bryan debuted his What Makes You Country album at #1 on both the Billboard Top 200 and Top Country Albums charts this week. This is Luke’s third consecutive album to debut at #1 on the Top 200 and his fifth #1 debut on the Top Country Albums Chart. In addition, Luke’s 19th career #1 single “Light It Up,” the first release from What Makes You Country, marked his 10th straight Billboard Country Airplay leader, the longest current streak among all artists which began with “Play It Again” in 2014.
“So much thought goes into creating new music and I really try to write and find songs that I feel are staying true to me while staying fresh and fun,” said Luke. “I try and imagine people singing along in their cars or with me at my shows. To have What Makes You Country go #1 is so exciting and rewarding for me, my team and my fans. It drives me to keep working harder and growing! Thank you so much for these opportunities!”
Critics are raving about What Makes You Country as the New York Times touted, “Bryan’s omnivorous approach to country production is arguably more ambitious and musically progressive; it’s certainly more in tune with the genre’s younger listeners.” And the Associated Press shares, “Bryan’s country is playful, inclusive, flirty and good-natured on the album.” “Luke makes country hit-making seem effortless,” shared Newsday. Radio.com said, “the 15-song project is a versatile one that includes the party songs Bryan is known and loved for as well as the more poignant and introspective ballads that take a look into who we are as people and where Bryan came from.”
Luke concluded his album promotional tour in Los Angeles last week with two appearances on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, fan events and performances with Citi, Spotify and iHeart radio. The week prior Luke performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Good Morning America and visited Lennox Hill Hospital with Musicians On Call to launch their Music Pharmacy program. He also performed songs from the new album for fans at events hosted by Pandora, NASH-FM and Samsung.
Watch Luke’s tv performances here:
Over the Christmas holidays, fans can watch Luke on the “40th Annual Kennedy Center Honors” gala in honor of his friend and idol Lionel Richie airing on Dec. 26, 9/8CT on CBS. Luke is also appearing on the encore presentation of “CMA Country Christmas” on Dec. 21, 9/8CT on ABC.
What Makes You Country was produced by Jeff Stevens and Jody Stevens and contains 15 songs, seven of them co-written by Luke including the title track.
