Luke Bryan’s Sold-Out ‘Friends’ Show Brings Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton And More To Nashville
“We wanted to make a big ole fun party in Nashville tonight!”
Luke Bryan with Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton; Photos by Cooper Smith
Luke Bryan pulled out all the stops in Nashville for his Luke Bryan & Friends show on Thursday night, welcoming a lineup of special guests that rivaled a country music awards show. From Carrie Underwood to Jason Aldean, Darius Rucker, Kane Brown, Dierks Bentley and Chris Stapleton, the special guests kept coming as Bryan spent three hours rocking the sold-out Bridgestone Arena alongside some of his best friends and delivering plenty of his biggest hits.
The show served as both a celebration of Bryan’s new album, SIGNS, and a chance to make up for the last time he played Music City. During his previous Bridgestone Arena appearance, Bryan was battling an illness that affected his voice, so he was determined to make his return one to remember. And he more than delivered.
“Last time i was here in Nashville I had some crazy Harpeth River…Duck River, Cumberland River mutation of COVID and the flu and I sounded like a**hole. I think people compared it to Blake Shelton, so I heard,” he joked. “But tonight I feel like a million damn dollars which there’s a downside to that, ‘cause you know that means after the show, we’re all gonna hit broadway and we’re gonna feel like Blake Shelton in the morning!”
“I’m so honored about what’s going on tonight…We wanted to make a big ole fun party in Nashville tonight.”
It was a “Big ole fun party” indeed, and his vocals sounded pretty great, too.
Carrie Underwood Kicks Off The Guest-Filled Night
Bryan kicked off the night on a high note with “My Kinda Night,” followed by “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye” and “This Is How We Roll.” Within no time, the night’s first guest, Carrie Underwood, was welcomed to the stage.
The pair joined together for a performance of the ’90s country classic “Meet in the Middle” by Diamond Rio before later rocking out to Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer.”
The excitement kicked into full gear when a video of Lionel Richie flashed on the screen, prompting Underwood and Bryan to reveal a big secret: They are all returning, along with Ryan Seacrest, for the next season of American Idol in 2027.
Darius Rucker Brings “Wagon Wheel” To Nashville
The guests came in like a revolving door, with Darius Rucker taking the stage next for a massive sing-along of “Wagon Wheel” and another iconic ’90s country moment with a cover of Brooks & Dunn’s “Neon Moon.”
Bryan praised Rucker as one of the best guys he knows and even jokingly slow danced with him during their Brooks & Dunn cover.
Jason Aldean Joins His Fellow Georgia Boy
It wouldn’t be a Luke Bryan & Friends show without his best friend and fellow Georgia native, Jason Aldean.
Bryan had fans laughing when he told them he had to “Venmo” him “a lot” to get him to agree to joining him at the show. All jokes aside, the pair of longtime friends joined together for Shenandoah’s “Sunday in the South” and their 2012 collaboration “The Only Way I Know,” sans Eric Church.
Going completely off script, they also threw in a performance of Aldean’s “She’s Country,” sending the sold-out arena into a frenzy.
Kane Brown Brings The Energy
Perhaps the most unexpected guest of the evening was Kane Brown, who Bryan admitted he hadn’t had a chance to cut up with too much until this moment.
With a huge smile on his face, Brown entered the stage, sending the energy through the roof as they joined together for his chart-topping, high-energy hit “Miles On It.”
Dierks Bentley Gets “Drunk on a Plane”
The guests didn’t stop there, because fans were soon getting “Drunk on a Plane” with Dierks Bentley.
Luke Bryan Celebrates SIGNS
In celebration of his brand-new album, Bryan performed several new tracks, including “Country And She Knows It,” “I Liked Loving You” and the title track, “Signs.”
The performances gave fans in the sold-out arena an taste of the new album while still leaving plenty of room for the hits that have defined Bryan’s career.
Chris Stapleton Brings The Night Home
The final guest of the evening was the incomparable Chris Stapleton, who added his soulful vocals to “Drink a Beer,” a song he co-wrote that Bryan took to No. 1 in early 2014.
Bryan appeared to be in shock over Stapleton’s presence and couldn’t help but smile in awe as he left the stage.
Luke Bryan Turns Bridgestone Into One Giant Party
The final hour was a huge party, bringing Bryan’s radio hits front and center with “Knockin’ Boots,” “One Margarita,” “Rain Is A Good Thing” and his recently Diamond-certified “Play It Again” and “Country Girl (Shake It For Me).”
Ahead of the show, Bryan was presented with Diamond plaques recognizing the RIAA certifications for “Play It Again” and “Country Girl (Shake It For Me).” He was joined for the presentation by fellow Diamond recipients and special guests Jason Aldean, Darius Rucker and Carrie Underwood.
The night truly encompassed what Nashville is all about: music, friendship and the fact that country music is like one big family. It sure felt that way on Thursday night.
Only Luke Bryan could pull off a show this fun, bringing together this many country stars for one unforgettable night in Music City. With Thursday’s sold-out show, Bryan has now sold out Bridgestone Arena seven consecutive times, once again proving that nearly two decades into his career, his superstar status remains.
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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