Luke Combs Reveals His Music Knowledge
Here is a look at the stories and musical influences Luke Combs shared during his impressive trivia run.
The Childhood Soundtrack of Luke Combs
The game kicked off with Tim McGraw, an artist Luke Combs immediately called a staple of his childhood. Identifying the track in just seconds, Combs shared a funny memory of sharing the stage with McGraw at CMA Fest. He recalled McGraw giving him an extended, highly enthusiastic handshake that went on so long Combs joked he was worried he was going to knock the country legend over.
The trivia quickly moved beyond country music when an Elton John track played. Luke Combs noted that while he used to dismiss those songs as just his parents’ music, he now realizes how incredible those records are. He credited his parents for his diverse musical taste. His mother favored heartland rock and country, while his father leaned heavily into rock from the Ohio rust belt. Combs shared a massive piece of rock trivia about his dad: his very first concert was Led Zeppelin and the James Gang on the exact night of the 1969 moon landing.
Modern Songwriting Masterpieces
When Jason Isbell’s “Elephant” played, Luke Combs was quick to praise Isbell’s landmark album Southeastern. He credited that specific record for getting him through the early days of his career.
“Southeastern record got me through the entire beginning of my career on flights. Just had it downloaded on the phone and could just put it on repeat and let it run over and over again.”
When the host asked for a definitive album recommendation for someone trying to get into country music, Luke Combs pointed straight to Eric Church’s Chief. He praised the record for riding the razor’s edge of a rocky sound and a country feel, calling Church’s first two albums perfect tens.
How 90s Country Shaped Luke Combs
Luke Combs has built his own career on reviving a 90s country feel, so it makes perfect sense that he quickly identified legends like Brooks & Dunn and Reba McEntire. He praised Brooks & Dunn for their unmatched quality and futuristic sound, noting that he still covers “Brand New Man” in his live sets today. For Reba, he highlighted her iconic, instantly recognizable voice and her ability to still crush live performances.
He also brought up the underrated vocal power of the late Daryle Singletary. Luke Combs recalled watching Singletary deliver a flawless, traditional country performance at a Nashville Whiskey Jam event while casually wearing a plaid shirt and gym shorts.
Most importantly, Luke Combs gave massive credit to fellow North Carolina native Randy Travis. Combs explained that without Travis, the entire 90s country boom featuring artists like Alan Jackson and Clint Black simply does not happen. He views Travis as the start of a chain reaction that eventually allowed artists like himself to thrive in the modern era.
Future Priorities and a Missed Opportunity
The trivia game also brought up a bittersweet memory. When a Merle Haggard track played, Luke Combs revealed that one of his biggest regrets is never seeing the legend live. He actually had tickets in hand for a Haggard show at the Nashville Opry House when the singer passed away.
Luke Combs also took a moment to discuss his own legacy. As he prepares to welcome his third child, he discussed the motivation behind his recent album Fathers & Sons. He recorded the project as a musical time capsule for his children. He wants them to listen back one day and know that they were his absolute priority, even when his career was at its busiest.
The Only Miss for Luke Combs
Luke Combs had a near perfect run, only missing the final song of the game. He was stumped by Harry Nilsson’s “Everybody’s Talkin'” from the Midnight Cowboy soundtrack. The host gave him a quick history lesson, noting Nilsson’s reputation as a songwriter’s songwriter who was highly respected by The Beatles. Combs easily related to the concept, comparing Nilsson to the legendary, behind the scenes songwriters working in Nashville today.