Luke Bryan Issues Statement In Response To ‘Absurd’ Dustin Lynch Intro At Crash My Playa
Bryan reached out to Lynch and says he is one of “his dearest friends.”
Luke Bryan, Dustin Lynch; Photos by Andrew Wendowski
Luke Bryan issued an apology to Dustin Lynch for his controversial induction of the “Stars Like Confetti” singer at Crash My Playa at Moon Palace Cancún in Riviera Cancún, Mexico.
The “Country On” singer took to his Instagram stories on Wednesday evening (Jan. 25) while in a “flooded cornfield, doing a little duck hunting” to share a message to Lynch and those who may have been offended by his remarks about Lynch.
“Just saw where people are starting to chat about my introduction of Dustin Lynch,” Bryan said. ”Dustin Lynch is one of my dearest friends on the planet. No one respects him more than I do and that night at [Crash My] Playa, Sunday night, the last night I get everybody out and my introduction of him was complete sarcasm.”
Apology
He went on to explain that his words were taken out of context and encouraged his fans to support his longtime friend.
“Those words were so absurd,” Bryan admitted. ”I figured everybody would take it as sarcasm. Obviously some people didn’t. I spoke to Dustin. I love him. He and I are all good and I apologize to anybody that doesn’t understand my humor and sarcasm. It’s been going on like that down there for years. We’ll see y’all next year. Go download Dustin’s new single [‘Stars Like Confetti’]. Love y’all.”
Lynch Responds
Dustin Lynch was quick to respond to Bryan via Instagram stories and wrote, “Thx for the call, love ya bro. All good. We had a lot of fun down there again with the pirates.”
Bryan’s apology came after videos of his introduction surfaced online and began to go viral on TikTok.
In the clips, Bryan can be heard saying, “The longest standing representative of Crash My Playa. No one has drank more liquor, no one has vomited more, no one has taken more drugs, no one has taken more IVs, no one has passed more STD tests than this next gentlemen right here. He has got a clean bill, he does not have diseases, give it up for Dustin Lynch.”
Lynch responded, “That’s going down in the history books of introductions right there. Crash My Playa, what’s up baby?”
Fans called out Bryan in the comments section of various social media posts and demanded that he give Lynch an apology.
“What Luke Bryan said about Dustin Lynch is absolutely uncalled-for! Nobody deserves an introduction to stage like Luke did to Dustin,” wrote one social media user alongside the hashtag “#dobetter.”
“This 🤬 I’m so glad someone else said it too! Drunk or not have more respect when introducing someone,” another commenter added. “So uncalled-for and Dustin didn’t deserve that introduction whatsoever! Team DL over here.”
On Stage Collaboration
During the show, Bryan and Lynch shared the stage to perform a cover of Toby Keith’s “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” as well as another classic country hit. Watch HERE.
Crash My Playa took place at the AAA Four Diamond awarded resort, Moon Palace Cancún, in Riviera Cancun, Mexico from January 19 through January 22, 2023.
Chris Stapleton, Cole Swindell, Lionel Richie, Dustin Lynch, Ashley McBryde, Brian Kelley, Carly Pearce, Chase Rice, Dylan Scott, DJ Rock, Kendell Marvel also performed during Crash My Playa.
“Year after year we aim to grow the music experience and the vacation experience to new heights,” Bryan shared following the successful event. “And I feel we did that this year. Cole and Chris both knocked it out of the park with their headline sets. It was so fun to watch. And special thanks to my dear friend Lionel Richie for making our closing night even more special by joining me on stage for an evening I will never forget! Playa is truly a highlight of my year by watching these fans and the artists have fun in the Mexico sun.”
Destination Event
Dubbed the ultimate vacation with Luke Bryan & Friends, Crash My Playa 2023 marked the third year that the event was held at Moon Palace Cancún with the initial year being in 2020 and the eighth year of the event overall.
Fans in attendance were treated to an all-inclusive concert as well as enjoyed daily pool parties and other amenities offered by the resort, including a relaxing visit to the lavish AWE-Spa or a fun-filled outing at the 27-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course.
For additional information on Crash My Playa visit their official website at www.crashmyplaya.com.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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