Luke Bryan Brightens Bridgestone While Battling Vocal Chord Congestion
Luke Bryan brightened Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Saturday night (Aug. 12), and notched his sixth sold-out show at the venue. This sell-out served as a stop on his “Country On Tour,” which runs through October. Due to vocal chord congestion, Bryan had cancelled the three shows prior. Though he was still under the weather, the award-winning entertainer was determined to bring smiles and a truck load of songs to Bridgestone.
Prior to his performance, Bryan was honored with the SoundExchange Hall of Fame Award for his standing as one of the most streamed artists in the company’s 20-year history. SoundExchange President & CEO Michael Huppe was on hand to present the accolade. Bryan also received RIAA multi-Platinum and Gold plaques for his first No. 1, four-time Platinum “Do I,” as well as Gold-certified single “Country On” and his Gold album Born Here Live Here Die Here, along with five of its tracks: Gold-certified “Waves,” Platinum-certified “What She Wants Tonight,” triple-Platinum “Knockin’ Boots,” double-Platinum “One Margarita” and Platinum-certified “Down To One.” During the presentations, Bryan thanked all of his team members, and praised his openers and other up-and-comers.
The night’s first opener Ashley Cooke hopped on stage to kick off the concert with her band, instantly raising the energy level as crescent moon-shaped lights floated beneath her feet. Casually chic in a blue corset crop top and matching cargo pants, she effortlessly captivated the crowd with her comforting presence and soothing vocals. Heads couldn’t help but bop and toes couldn’t resist tapping as she bounced around, serenading us with “Getting Into” and “Moving On With Grace” from her recently released debut album, Shot in the Dark.
Things started to heat up when fellowing rising star and opener Jackson Dean joined Cooke for their steamy duet “What Are You On Fire About,” which is also featured on the 24-track collection. Fans were treated to another special appearance when Chase Rice popped out to surprise Cooke during her cover of Florida Georgia Line‘s hit “Cruise,” which Rice co-wrote.
A spotlight shined down on the singer-songwriter and her acoustic guitar as she sang “Never Til Now,” which she recorded with Brett Young. Small specks of light were suddenly sprinkled throughout the stands as the audience lifted their flashlights, creating a starry scene. The star-like spots waved to the rhythm of Cooke, who beamed with gratitude as she performed—a moment of pure musical magic.
Red ribbon-esque graphics covered the two screens on stage with the name Chayce Beckham etched in white as warmed-colored rays radiated every which way. The American Idol winner then made his way to the microphone. With a chocolate brown acoustic guitar at his finger tips, he had concertgoers swaying with “Doin’ It Right” and “Keep Me Up All Night.” Beckham conducted a quick vibe-check with the crowd before performing his new number “Little Less Lonely,” which is due out Friday, Aug. 25. He dedicated the performance of his latest single, “Till The Day I Die,” to a friend who passed away last year.
“This is a song about staying true to who you are and not letting anybody tell you anything different. I hope y’all like this one. It’s the one we just released. I’d like to put a big cheers up to anybody who has lost someone recently,” said Beckham.
Flashlights filled the air as he poured his heart into the tune. Beckham then moved into a cover of Jason Isbell‘s “Cover Me Up,” sharing that he had wanted to perform the song on American Idol but never got the chance. He wrapped his set with “23,” a song that he says changed his life, and thanked everyone for their presence and support.
Dean returned to put the arena in a trance with his strong, hazy sound. The free spirit and his band seemed to scratch every musical itch in the audience as they put their skills on full display with “Heavens To Betsy” and “Fearless.” Dean, known to customize his guitars through wood burning, switched out his acoustic guitar embedded with stars for one with two detailed turkey-like feathers. While the transition was made, he continued the streak of sincere thank you’s. The outlaw country creator then ended with what he deemed his life-changing song, his first No. 1 “Don’t Come Lookin’.”
A blend of fiery colors outlined the stage and blue beams of light circulated around Bridgestone as the beginning of Bryan’s “Kick The Dust Up” filled the venue. Suddenly, the man of the hour simultaneously appeared underneath a giant spotlight as the black curtains behind him instantly vanished.
Pink and purple hues took over on stage and green rays projected into every section as he performed “Knockin’ Boots.” Bryan, dressed in jeans, a simple black T-shirt and black ball cap, then checked in with the crowd and explained his condition.
“As y’all know, last weekend I had to cancel three shows, but I was not going to cancel Nashville under any circumstance,” he stated. “I’m going to sound good on some songs and I’m going to sound like shit on some songs, but we’re going to have a good time in Music City on a Saturday night either way.”
He jumped into “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye,” receiving encouraging cheers from the crowd. He then grabbed his guitar and addressed us all again.
“There’s no telling what the hell we may do in this show tonight. We’re going to just turn this into a big ole Nashville Honky Tonk Party, alright?”
The red lights recurred as Bryan fought through “What Makes You Country.” Thin orange lines of light traced the shining rectangles spaced vertically on either side of the platform as he slid into one of his recent releases, “But I Got A Beer In My Hand.”
Shouts of “You got this, Luke!” rang from attendees when he started to prep for “Huntin’, Fishin’, And Lovin’ Everyday.” Images of trees tinged in a red and green gradient emerged behind the artist as he sang. Bryan’s guitar player threw his pick into the crowd and his banjo player showed off his skills and a Nashville Predators jersey, while Bryan moved back from the middle surface for a moment.
Blue and red beams turned yellow and orange as he dove into “Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset.” Bryan then performed the tour’s namesake as soldiers, farmers and more hard-working Americans appeared above his head, the flag waving behind them. As he pushed to finish the song, audience members sang along and chanted “USA.”
Bryan thanked everyone for their energy and asked if we could turn the night into an acoustic jam session. The arena responded with cheers as he began discuss his early days in Music City.
“When I moved to town I started writing songs, and I got lucky and wrote a song that a guy named Billy Currington recorded. It’s one of my most favorite songs I’ve ever written. I still hear it all the time.”
He brought his band up to the middle platform, drawing everyone closer, and kicked off the session with the Currington classic, “Good Directions.” Bryan couldn’t hide that he was hurting, but persevered through “Down To One” and “Strip It Down” under purple streams of light. The crowd gave him a break during “Crash My Party,” as he lent us the mic for most of the chorus.
Blue lights remained shining and multi-colored dots swirled as he welcomed Beckham and Dean back to the stage. The two emerged in Predators jerseys and joined Bryan for “Buy Dirt.” Cooke also returned in a jersey to accompany him on Dua Lipa‘s “Levitating” and Dolly Parton‘s “9 to 5.”
Bryan then took to the piano to perform fellow American Idol judge Lionel Richie‘s “Endless Love” along with his own “Do I” and Ronnie Milsap‘s “(There’s) No Gettin’ Over Me.” He went back to his guitar and the cell phone stars filled the arena once again for “Drink A Beer.”
“I’m going to do this next song and after that we’re going to party our asses off for about 40 minutes,” Bryan said while starting to strum.
He then started the party with a little of Aerosmith‘s “Sweet Emotion.” Next, Bryan declared it “Margarita Time,” handing a lucky fan below a giant margarita as he battled to belt “One Margarita.” The crowd erupted in excited screams as he transitioned to “Rain Is A Good Thing,” a thunderstorm rolling in on screen behind him. The electric screams continued for “I Don’t Want This Night To End.”
Bryan worked to finish strong with “Country Girl (Shake It For Me),” and further proved his dedication as he performed “Play It Again” as a supposed encore. He thanked the audience again as he exited. Bryan was forced to cancel his show the following night (Aug. 13) in Brandon, Mississippi, and apologized to fans via social media.
“Every show I sing I’m setting my voice back. I will continue to do everything I can to get better. Please know how much you mean to me and how heartbreaking this is to do,” he wrote.
Dear Brandon, MS I am regretfully going to have to cancel my show there tonight. Under doctor advisement after taking 6 days off to heal I attempted to sing at both shows Thursday and Saturday and it was a struggle. Every show I sing I’m setting my voice back. I will continue to…
— Luke Bryan (@lukebryan) August 13, 2023
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