Luke Bryan: Peyton Manning ‘Knows His Brand’

Luke Bryan is joining his friend, country music lover, and former NFL football player Peyton Manning for a second year to host the upcoming 57th Annual CMA Awards.

When we talked with Luke recently, he told us how he felt about the duo's hosting performance in 2022. He said, "I thought we did a great job together. No pun intended, I think he is a crazy pro preparer."

Bryan continued, "He knows his brand; I know my brand. He's a little dryer humor, and I'm a little more slapstick, I guess. When we wrapped after the show, all the producers and everybody was raving, and the rating was good, and the show was great."

Luke also told us what he got from last year's performance, "I think we've got to take what we learned from last year and build upon it. I knew we did a good job when they were trying to lock me and Peyton down that night for the following year. It was a great night, and we were excited about it. So, it's gonna be another great night."

The 57th Annual CMA Awards will be handed out on November 8, 2023, live on ABC.

Bryan announced that his January 17-20, 2024 "Crash My Playa" festival in Mexico will include sets from Jon Pardi, Bailey Zimmerman, Dustin Lynch, and, for the first time, Jelly Roll.

We talked with Luke recently, and he told us his thoughts on Jelly Roll. He said, "Jelly Roll and I have been at some events together. We hung out at a backstage festival a month and a half ago briefly. I think what Jelly Roll embodies and represents is something really, really special. When I'm around him, the way he holds himself. You are just drawn to him. He's such a star in that role."

Bryan added, "Every time I'm around the guy, he's just so intriguing and interesting. I think his form of country music speaks to a potentially forgotten box of people in country music, and he's able to really speak to that crowd. That's what makes him special."

Who has more fun than Luke Bryan? You can hear it on his songs, see it on his social media almost daily and also feel it when you see him perform live.

As Luke celebrates his 45th birthday today (7/17), we take a look at 17 songs that made him a country superstar.