Luke Bryan recently revealed plans to release his long-awaited eighth studio album, Mind Of A Country Boy, on Sept. 27. The 14-song collection has been nearly four years in the making, and Bryan made sure it is worth the wait.
The singer packed the project with glass-raising sing-along party songs, nostalgic storytelling, heartbreakers, love anthems, and achingly vulnerable odes to family on which he built his career. And, true to form, he challenged himself to keep growing as an artist and entertainer.
“I think it’s all about putting out what I believe in,” Bryan told American Songwriter. “This album is that. I’m excited to hear what the fans think and for them to see where I’m at these days.”
Bryan’s current radio single “Love You, Miss You, Mean It” flew up with the country radio airplay charts into the Top 10 and provides an exciting springboard from which Bryan can launch Mind Of A Country Boy. He shared “Closing Time In California” earlier this month and said the response from fans and critics has been encouraging.
“It’s really feeling right,” Bryan said. “Every year, I try to sit down and become a little bit better of a piano player and a little bit better of a guitar player. Will I ever be Keith Urban, or will I ever be Billy Joel? Obviously not. And then I try to do that vocally, too.”
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Luke Bryan: “Will I Ever be … Billy Joel? Obviously Not.”
Bryan stretches his voice in “Closing Time In California” and is more aware of his vocal choices on Mind Of A Country Boy.
“I’m just trying to have fun and do the balancing act of fun music, heartfelt music, emotional music, heartbreak, love songs, and just trying always to bridge that gap between fun and serious and making the fans believe that I’m living it all, living it every step of the way,” Bryan said.
The American Idol judge made the remarks ahead of the 17th ACM Honors this week at Ryman Auditorium. The industry organization recognized Bryan with the ACM Lifting Lives Award for his years of charity work, including his Farm Tour, which funds scholarships for students in rural areas to attend agricultural colleges.
“This is an award that my wife and I can really share together because she’s really pushed me to always have that groundedness, that charitable aspect to my life,” Bryan said. “It’s something that we’ve always really felt strongly about. You never think that you’re going to get recognized for doing stuff you should do, but I’m really honored to be accepting it. It’s a great night.”
Fans can watch Bryan accept the award when the 17th ACM Honors airs on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at 9 p.m. ET on Merit Street.
Mind Of A Country Boy Track Listing/Songwriter Credits:
1. “Mind Of A Country Boy” (Luke Bryan, Ben Hayslip, Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins)
2. “Love You, Miss You, Mean It” (Ben Hayslip, Jacob Rice, Jordan Minton, Rhett Akins)
3. “Country Song Came On” (Ryan Beaver, Dan Alley, Neil Medley)
4. “Pair Of Boots” (Bobby Pinson, Taylor Phillips, Tofer Brown, Jaxon Free)
5. “But I Got A Beer In My Hand” (Chase McGill, Matt Dragstrem, Geoff Warburton)
6. “Kansas” (Chase McGill, Hillary Lindsey, Matt Dragstrem)
7. “Country On” (Mark Nesler, David Frasier, Mitch Oglesby, Styles Haury)
8. “Fish On The Wall” (Dallas Davidson, Chris Tompkins, Ben Johnson)
9. “She’s Still Got It” (Rodney Clawson, Heather Morgan, Will Bundy, Jim McCormick)
10. “Closing Time In California” (John Byron, Mark Holman, Hillary Lindsey, Chase McGill)
11. “For The Kids” (Luke Bryan, Justin Ebach, Brad Tursi)
12. “Southern and Slow” (Matt Dragstrem, Josh Thompson, Chase McGill)
13. “I’m On A Tractor” (Neil Thrasher, Lee Thomas Miller)
14. “Jesus ‘Bout My Kids” (Jeff Hyde, Tucker Beathard, Ben Stennis, Brad Rempel)
Jason Moore/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock
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