Luke Bryan Dishes on His Partnership with Jockey

The entertainer dishes on his new song, his career and his partnership with JOCKEY

BY JARED TURNER

Since taking the world of country music by storm in 2007 with his debut album “I’ll Stay Me” featuring the hit single “All My Friends

Say,” Leesburg, Georgia, native Luke Bryan has won more than 50 major music awards while packing out stadiums and dominating the airwaves of country radio.

Bryan, who like so many others got his start in the industry by playing the local bar scene across the southeast and club scene around Nashville, Tennessee, saw his career finally take off after several years of struggling to be recognized or sign with a major record label. But over the past 16 years or so, Bryan – who now boasts more 9.3 million followers on Twitter alone – has carved out a place as one of country music’s biggest stars.

With a voice that resonates with listeners of all backgrounds and creeds, and a penchant for both writing and singing songs that go straight to the heart, Bryan has earned multiple Entertainer of The Year awards and cranked out nearly 30 No. 1 hit singles. He also boasts worldwide global streams topping 18.9 billion, along with roughly 13 million albums sold.

Bryan recently took a few minutes to chat with NASCAR Pole Position about his newest song release, his relationship with the JOCKEY clothing brand and NASCAR.

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR YOUR NEW SONG, “COUNTRY ON”?

I didn’t write this song but when I heard it, I felt the message was perfect for our world right now. It touched on a lot of important people who make everyday living happen for so many.

IN “COUNTRY ON,” YOU REFERENCED FIREMEN, THE BOYS AND GIRLS IN BLUE AND SOLDIERS. THOSE GROUPS RESONATE STRONGLY IN THE NASCAR COMMUNITY. WHAT DO THEY MEAN TO YOU?

I was brought up to respect and honor these men and women who put themselves on the line for us daily – strangers they don’t even know. That speaks volumes to me, and hopefully to all of us.

YOU ALSO MENTIONED BIG-RIG DRIVERS IN “COUNTRY ON.” HOW ABOUT A SHOUT-OUT TO THE GUYS AND GALS WHO DRIVE THE HAULERS FOR NASCAR TEAMS WEEK-IN AND WEEK-OUT.

No doubt, it takes every person on these teams to make a race even happen. Similar for me on my Raised Up Right Tour. We need those truck drivers to get our set and gear to the next stop so we can deliver a great experience for our fans.

READERS OF NASCAR POLE POSITION KNOW YOU COLLABORATE WITH JOCKEY. WE ALSO UNDERSTAND YOU ARE WORKING WITH JOCKEY ON ONE OF THEIR NEW APPAREL LINES. CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THAT PROCESS?

This has been a fun one. JOCKEY Outdoors, I

can’t think of anything more fitting for my brand. I am very vocal about my love for being outdoors, so that and teaming up with a company like JOCKEY seemed perfect. We have worked side by side in creating a line that I am very proud of. The quality and the details just blew me away. Excited to get this going with them.

JOCKEY IS VERY PROUD OF ITS MADE IN AMERICA COLLECTION. WHAT DOES “MADE IN AMERICA” MEAN TO YOU?

It is a way of life, freedom and something I don’t take lightly.

WE KNOW SOME GUYS ARE NOT GREAT AT BUYING CLOTHES, SO CAN YOU GIVE THEM THE LUKE BRYAN JOCKEY OUTFIT SELECTION? WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THEY BUY?

The pants are amazing, and then team it up with the Henley – done deal.

OK, ONE MORE NASCAR-RELATED QUESTION: WHEN YOU THINK OF A NASCAR FAN, WHAT TYPE OF CHARACTERISTICS AND QUALITIES COME TO MIND?

Fun and loyal to the core.

JOCKEY OUTDOORS

Bryan also answered a few questions specifically related to the new JOCKEY Outdoors apparel line and his affection for all things outdoors. Check it out.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO LAUNCH THIS LINE WITH JOCKEY?

When my partners at JOCKEY first brought this up, it was an easy “yes” for me. One, they are just a wonderful company with values that align with mine. And two, I have always been an advocate for the love of outdoors, so it was a no-brainer. Once I got my hands on the product and felt the quality, I became even more fired up for this to show up in the stores. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE JOCKEY OUTDOORS PIECES?

That’s a toss-up between the pants and the Henley, but then there’s also the fishing shirt, which I’m always gonna look for a reason to wear. I’m clearly not good at deciding on this one! WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE OUTDOORS?

I love how it allows me to just step back from the non-stop hustle of my professional life and take time for myself. And it’s even better when I get to be outdoors with my boys. Many song ideas come when I’m by a fishing spot or in a deer stand. OUTDOOR PASTIMES SUCH AS HUNTING AND FISHING SERVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE CONSERVATION OF THE GREAT OUTDOORS AND WILDLIFE HABITATS. WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT TO YOU AS AN AVID OUTDOORSMAN?

I think we have to preserve it and be aware in order to pass down this way of life to the next generations. I fully believe it helps form who you can be in this world.