Eric Paslay’s “Friday Night” jumps two spots to land at No. 1 on the Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart, marking the Texas native’s first chart-topper…as an artist! He’s previously had three songs top the charts for others, including Jake Owen (“Barefoot Blue Jean Night”), Eli Young Band (“Even If It Breaks Your Heart”) and Love & Theft (“Angel Eyes”). Eric says his perfect “Friday Night” would include riding around in a hot muscle car, going dancing, having a good burger and “being with people you love and having a honey, that’s a good Friday night.” He laughingly adds (from a line in the song), “and having money in your pocket,  ‘cause you just got paid.” “Friday Night” is featured on Eric’s self-titled debut album arriving in stores and online tomorrow (February 4th).

Luke Bryan’s “Drink a Beer” switches places with Eric to land at No. 1 on the Billboard Country chart. The tune, which features and was co-written by Chris Stapleton, has spent a mere 14 weeks on the chart. Luke says folks are moved by the song when he performs it live on his That’s My Kind of Night Tour. “I’m always able to look through the crowd and see people really overwhelmed with emotion by it, and that means so much to me. It means that the song is affecting people and helping people,” says the reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year. “When you’re grieving the loss of someone and you’re remembering them, it’s helping you, whether you’re hurting while it’s helping you, it’s still helping you. And this song helps people remember special people to them.” “Drink a Beer” is the third single from Luke’s Crash My Party album.

Eric Paslay (perfect Friday Night) OC: …got paid. [laughs] :26
“A perfect ‘Friday Night’ would be cruising in an old ’68 Mustang or something old or a ’74 candy apple ragtop, going dancing, having a good burger, maybe getting a poppy seed kolaches (it’s a Czech pastry). For all you foodies out there, it’s really good. Being with people you love and having a honey, that’s a good Friday night, and having money in your pocket,  ‘cause you just got paid.” [laughs]

Luke Bryan (Drink a Beer live) OC: …like they do. :45
“Performing ‘Drink a Beer’ in front of a live audience, I’m always able to look through the crowd and see people really overwhelmed with emotion by it, and that means so much to me. It means that the song is affecting people and helping people. When you’re grieving the loss of someone and you’re remembering them, it’s helping you, whether you’re hurting while it’s helping you, it’s still helping you. And this song helps people remember special people to them. When I turn to the audience and let them sing it back, it’s the highlight of the night for me, and I’m so honored to have the song in my set now and so honored that the fans sing it like they do.”