Luke Combs Embarks on Summer Slate of Shows With Plans to “Embrace People Who Want To Destigmatize Country Music”

As a country musician, Luke Combs made an unlikely hit song with his cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car”. In essence, the song showed that country music is far more than just steel guitars and cowboy hats, and that is seemingly what Luke Combs wants to continue proving to people while on his upcoming summer slate of performances.

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In a recent interview with the Tennessean, Combs revealed his ambitious mission. Which, according to Combs, “is expanding [his] limits to embrace people who want to destigmatize country music.” Adding on to his success with “Fast Car”, Combs stated, “I don’t think any of this is possible without Tracy’s stamp of approval.” “[Chapman] has created the opportunity to showcase how my work can be loved and appreciated by people who may have thought they could never love my music,” continued Combs.

How Luke Combs Plans to “Destigmatize” The Genre and Make it For Everyone

Combs knows not everyone likes country music. Matter of fact, he revealed that he once detested the genre as well, as he told the publication, “I’m passionate about country music and have a deep knowledge of its inner workings, but I’m also someone who ran as far away from country music as I could and hated it, for a decade, when I was 10 or 11 years old.”

“I eventually rediscovered my love for country music and feel like, though the genre might not be for everyone, some parts of the genre could be for anyone,” added Combs. Combs has a lot of chances this summer to achieve this goal, and one monster opportunity he has is his upcoming set at the Newport Folk Festival on July 28.

Regarding his plans to teter the line between country and folk music, Combs said, “An audience of listeners will hear a set that allows my band and me to do what we do best, but also respects the traditions of the Newport Folk Festival.” In addition to the Newport Folk Festival, Combs will also get a shot at his goal during his performances at the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, Lollapalooza, and at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

While admirable, Combs’ mission is incredibly ambitious. Though, he has hope, as he believes “We’re in a rare position where we get to steward forward an era where country and pop music no longer have to exist independently of each other.”

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