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Luke Bryan plans to entertain Farmington crowd

Monday, February 25, 2008

Luke Bryan hit it big on the country music scene nearly one year ago with his hit single “All My Friends Say.” Now the Georgia native is touring with the likes of Dierks Bentley and Kenny Chesney.

Bryan, along with Bentley and Bucky Covington, will perform at the Farmington Civic Center on Feb. 29 as part of the Throttle Wide Open Tour.

Even though, Bryan has seen success at the top of the country music charts, he isn’t taking anything for granted. His Georgia roots, working at his father’s peanut mill and fertilizer plant, have given him a strong appreciation for what he does in Nashville.

“Watching my fan base grow over the past year and getting out on the road and meeting people has been great,” Bryan told the Daily Journal in a phone interview. “You know I’ve been in this business for a long time now and I didn’t make much money. Now I’m starting to have some success and I am enjoying the ride.”

Growing up, Bryan was influenced by the music of Alabama, Ronnie Milsap, George Strait and Alan Jackson — who is also from Georgia.

Bryan moved to Nashville in 2001 when he was just 25 years old. He was fortunate enough to get a publishing deal as a songwriter.

“I found work immediately and wrote a lot of material,” he said.

He found success with his second major cut as a songwriter in Billy Currington’s “Good Directions.” The song claimed the top spot on the county music charts for three consecutive weeks in May of 2007.

When he started writing “All My Friends Say” Bryan knew he wanted a song that the crowd could get in to.

“I wanted a song you could have some fun with,” Bryan admitted. “We released it in February of 2007. By May it started getting some play on the radio and I thought it could be a hit.”

The single made it all the way to No. 5 on the Billboard charts.

Bryan is doing 35 shows with Bentley and seven stadium concerts with Chesney this year.

“If I had to choose two country music artists that I wanted to tour with, Dierks (Bentley) and Kenny (Chesney) are right there,” Bryan said.

He also said he would like to tour with Rascal Flatts, Brooks and Dunn and George Strait.

What can country music fans expect out of Bryan in Farmington on Feb. 29?

“The main thing people can expect is to have fun and hear some country music,” Bryan said. “I try to perform in a way that’s young and fresh. It’s going to be a fun show. I’m going to run around the stage a lot and have a good time.”

Chris Cline is a reporter for the Daily Journal. Contact him at 573-431-2010, ext. 114 or at ccline@dailyjournalonline.com.