Luke Combs’ Journey Spotlighted In ‘The Man I Am’ Exhibit Opening At Country Music Hall of Fame And Museum
“This exhibit isn’t about me because, without everybody in this room, I wouldn’t be here,” Combs acknowledged.
Luke Combs attends the new exhibit Luke Combs: The Man I Am at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on July 10, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee; Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for for the 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.”
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.
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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