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“It’s not an act,” any time Luke Bryan takes the stage with his signature, vibrant energy.
The award-winning megastar is known for his high-energy performances packed with nearly two decades of smash-hit country anthems (with a few hip-swiveling dance moves thrown in). Bryan, in the midst of his headlining “Country On Tour” and his epic Las Vegas residency, reflected on his rise to stardom in a new interview.
“I earned it the old-fashioned way: working my butt off,” Bryan, who's set to release a new song on Friday (August 11), told PEOPLE of his successful career. “A lot of people have propped me up and helped me along the way, and I hope they can enjoy the ride too.”
The “But I Got A Beer In My Hand” star initially planned to move to Nashville in pursuit of his dreams when he was around 20 years old, but he opted to stay in Georgia when his older brother died in a car accident. Instead, Bryan made the move to Music City a few years later when he was 25, and was 30 by the time his debut single (“All My Friends Say”) helped skyrocket his career. Bryan told PEOPLE that in hindsight, he “would’ve processed it all a lot differently, with a lot less maturity,” had he moved to Nashville in his early 20s. That time also helped him to establish who he is as an artist: “I can’t go back and question any of the stars or fate at how it all shaped out. I look back, and I’m proud of my climb to get here.”
The American Idol judge is currently on his “Country On Tour” with special guests Chayce Beckham, Tyler Braden, Ashley Cooke, Jackson Dean, Jon Langston, Conner Smith, Alana Springsteen, Hailey Whitters and DJ Rock. Bryan is also set to host his 14th annual “Farm Tour” in September, making six stops with Kameron Marlowe, Chayce Beckham, the Peach Pickers — Ben Hayslip, Dallas Davidson and Rhett Akins — and DJ Rock.
Bryan announced on Wednesday (August 9) that his final Las Vegas residency shows would take place beginning in December. In addition to August and September shows that are already on sale, Bryan will take the Resorts World Theatre stage for the final times on December 29, 30 and 31, and again on January 3, 5 and 6. Shortly after that, he’ll head to Mexico for his annual Crash My Playa festival from January 17-20. This year’s festival will also include Jon Pardi, Jelly Roll, Dustin Lynch, Bailey Zimmerman and more.
“I’m in the moment, I’m having fun, and I’m feeding off fans’ energy,” Bryan told PEOPLE of his live shows. “I love to make people smile. That’s why I fell in love with music.”