Luke Combs’ Journey Spotlighted In ‘The Man I Am’ Exhibit Opening At Country Music Hall of Fame And Museum

Luke Combs celebrated a milestone career moment on Wednesday evening (July 10) in Nashville with the opening of his brand new exhibit, Luke Combs: The Man I Am, at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. 

The superstar gathered with his team, his family, friends, and even his school chorus teacher, for an early preview of the exhibit, which officially opens today, July 11. 

Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, welcomed attendees to the exhibit, delivering remarks in the museum’s Rotunda where bronze plaques honoring those who came before Combs hang on the walls and the famous Carter Family song “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” surrounds the room from overhead. 

During his speech, Young recalled Combs’ musical journey, from his humble beginnings growing up in North Carolina, and highlighted the pivotal moments that led him to become the international superstar he is today. 

“Thirteen summers ago, Luke was working at a go-kart track, a summer job before his senior year of college at Appalachian State. He was 21, drifting at school, no plan for what he would do after graduation,” Young explained as Combs watched from side-stage. “Worried that he might be working at places like the go-kart track for the rest of his life, his mom Rhonda caught him moping around one day and suggested he pick up the guitar she and his dad Lee gave Luke years ago. ‘Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesson learned guitar at your age and look how they turned out,’ she said.” 

Young acknowledged that Combs’ mom likely knew him “better than he knew himself at that point” and noted that Combs was always drawn to music. Thankfully, Combs followed his mother’s advice. 

“He picked up that guitar, and a flame was kindled. By the spring semester of his senior year, he felt he was ready to go on stage.”  

Combs accepted his first gig, a performance at the local Parthenon Cafe where 200 people showed up and paid a $1 cover to see the aspiring artist. 

This was the moment that changed everything for Combs. Knowing he was “born to do this,” as Young put it, the young singer/songwriter did everything in his power to share his music with anyone and everyone who would listen. 

Now, with 17 No.1 hits to his name and a collection of awards, including two CMA Entertainer of the Year trophies, Combs has joined the ranks of country music legends honored with exhibits inside the Country Music Hall of Fame. Last night, he witnessed significant moments of his life and career displayed before him throughout the exhibit. Walking hand-in-hand with his wife, Nicole, Combs re-lived these pivotal moments before addressing the crowd. 

“I thought about the name of the exhibit on the way over here. It’s called The Man I Am, and I realized that the man that I am is because of all the people, not only in this room, a lot of you in this room, but a lot of people that aren’t in this room too,” Combs shared. “The people that I write songs with, my parents, my friends, my family. That’s what makes me who I am and that I feel like has been the thread of my whole career, is that I feel like I’m surrounded by wonderful people who care about me as a person. I feel like we’ve gotten to achieve so many things together, things that I never would’ve thought were possible.” 

He went on to express gratitude to his parents, his wife and their two sons, his manager, Chris Kappy, and more. 

“This exhibit isn’t about me because, without everybody in this room, I wouldn’t be here. Nobody goes it alone, especially in this business.” 

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Luke Combs: The Man I Am is open now through June 2025. The exhibit showcases an array of items including stage wear, tour memorabilia, manuscripts, set lists, instruments, photographs, posters, and childhood keepsakes. 

Highlights include a Martin GPCPA4 Sapele acoustic guitar used by Combs in his early performances, a Playbill from his high school role in “Guys and Dolls,” a signed CD-R of his debut EP, the outfit from his “Hurricane” music video, the manuscript of “Six Feet Apart,” a Dale Earnhardt commemorative jacket, a dollar bill from his first paid gig, and a portable record player he used to share “Beautiful Crazy” with his wife.

Admission to Luke Combs: The Man I Am is included with admission to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.