Luke Bryan - Biography and Profile

Luke Bryan appeared on the country music scene in 2007, impressing listeners with his smooth vocals and skills as a songwriter. He's best known for his songs about rural life ("We Rode in Trucks"), romantic ballads ("Do I"), and wholesome public persona.

July 17, 1976

Contemporary Country

"Songwriting gives me a way to tell stories and tell my life to other people. It gives other people the chance to feel that their stories are heard, and that maybe they grew up like me or have experienced the same things that I have."

Luke Bryan grew up in the small town of Leesburg, Georgia, where his father worked as a peanut farmer.

Country music was an instant obsession for him. After getting his first guitar at age 14, Bryan quickly began playing in public and writing his own songs.

After graduating from high school, Bryan planned to move to Nashville and try to make it in the music industry. But on the eve of moving day, his older brother Chris died in a car accident.

Luke decided that remaining with his family was more important than going to Music City. He went to college at nearby Georgia Southern University, but hadn't given up on music. He continued to hone his skills by playing in local venues with his band.

In 2001, after dragging his heels and working in his father's peanut mill, Bryan finally moved to Nashville. He found initial success as a songwriter, penning "My Honky Tonk History" for Travis Tritt. By the time 2004 rolled around, he had been offered a solo record deal with Capitol Records Nashville.

Luke Bryan's debut album I'll Stay Me appeared in 2007, and was in general well-received. He co-wrote all but one song, and the singles "All My Friends Say" and "Country Man" each broke into the country top 10.

He improved on that performance when he released his sophomore record Doin' My Thing in 2009. The single "Rain is a Good Thing" sailed to number one on the Billboard country charts, and the album sold over a half million copies.

Lightning stuck thrice as Bryan continued to find success in 2011, releasing Tailgates & Tanlines, headlined by the hip-hop-inspired single "Country Girl (Shake It for Me)."

• "All My Friends Say"
• "Country Girl (Shake It for Me)"
• "Country Man"
• "Do I"
• "We Road in Trucks"

Luke Bryan Albums:

• Recommended: I'll Stay Me (2007, Capitol Records)
• Doin' My Thing (2009, Capitol Records)
• Recommended: Tailgates & Tanlines (2011, MCA Nashville Records)