MEET LUKE COMBS

OUR INTERVIEW: HELPING PARENTS RETIRE, FUN WITH CROCS, HUGE FAN OF FLORIDA

Florida Country Magazine interviewed singer-songwriter Luke Combs, called “the most promising and influential new country star of the last five years” by The New York Times. On Oct. 23, the multi-platinum, ACM, CMA, CMT and Billboard Music Award-winning artist from Asheville, North Carolina, released his anticipated deluxe album What You See Ain’t Always What You Get. It features all 18 songs from last year’s platinum-certified, global No. 1 record What You See Is What You Get, and also five new tracks, according to lukecombs.com. His triple-platinum debut album, This One’s for You, was the moststreamed country album of 2019. But his “best day” was Aug. 1— when he married longtime fiancée Nicole Hocking, who grew up in Fort Myers. Read on for Combs’ take on these past whirlwind years:

FCM What’s your favorite musical collaboration to date? LC Has to be Eric Church for my song “Does to Me,” that he featured on. Eric was always someone I looked up to, so to be able to do that was a big moment for me. The song ended up going No. 1 on the country charts, which made it even cooler.

Luke Combs

FCM When did you know that you made it big and what did it feel like?

LC I’ll always remember the day I was able to help my parents retire. That was a special moment for me. They both have worked tirelessly ever since I can remember to get me to where I am, and now they don’t have to anymore. It’s great because I can have them out at shows and experiences with me now, which is really fun for us.

FCM What is the craziest thing you’ve ever been asked to autograph–and did you? LC I once got ask to sign a prosthetic leg, and yes, I absolutely signed it!

FCM What was your first song you and your wife danced to, and why did you pick it? LC “Beautiful Crazy.” I fully had her in mind when I wrote it, even though we weren’t officially dating yet.

FCM What is the one thing you miss the most since COVID-19?

LC Definitely shows and all that comes with them. Seeing and meeting my fans in person, hanging out with my band and crew, and being able to sing in front of thousands of people every night never got old. I miss it a lot. And I hope we get it back soon once it’s safe again.

SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED THAT I’M GRATEFUL FOR. BEING INDUCTED INTO THE OPRY WILL DEFINITELY ALWAYS BE AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE IN MY LIFE. IT’S SOMETHING I ALWAYS DREAMT OF AND IT WAS A HUGE HONOR. I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT NIGHT.

FCM What made you start a shoe line with Crocs? LC I’ve always loved Crocs, even before I had my own line. I own tons of them. So when they approached my manager—it honestly was just a no-brainer. We have a lot of fun with them.

FCM What would we find in your red Solo Cup, and what would we not? LC I always have one with me on stage. In there you can find a Jack and Diet [Coke] … Probably wouldn’t have vodka and cran in there, though. That’s Nicole’s drink!

FCM Florida Country Magazine is out of Fort Myers, Florida, the same place your wife is from. And you are now a Floridian, with buying a home here. What do you like most about our state? LC I love Florida. It obviously is a special place for Nicole, and we just recently bought a house there (and got married there). So it’s become very special for the both of us and the life we’ve made together. Huge fan!

FCM What message would you like us to give to your Florida Country fans? LC Y’all, thank you for being such great fans. I couldn’t do what I do without my fans, and I know you are a big part of it. Love y’all.

FCM What has been the coolest moment to happen to you while on this crazy ride? LC Man, that’s a tough one. So much has happened that I’m grateful for. Being inducted into the Opry will definitely always be an important milestone in my life. It’s something I always dreamt of and it was a huge honor. I will never forget that night. FCM

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