Luke Combs is a prosperous country performer from America who is known for songs: Hurricane, Forever After All, Even Though I’m Leaving, etc. The artist was twice nominated for the Grammy Awards and three times won the Billboard Music Awards.
Many describe Combs’ style as a combination of popular 1990s country music motifs with modern production. Today he is one of the most successful and popular country musicians.
It took a little over two years from Combs’ performances in bars in Nashville to severe nominations. The artist considers the combination of the following factors to be the reason for his rapid success: “Hard work. Readiness for self-sacrifice. Luck. Time. Surrounding yourself with reliable people. Writing songs that I would like to hear on the radio. “
Childhood and adolescence Luke Combs
Luke Albert Combs was born on March 2, 1990, in Charlotte, North Carolina. At the age of 8, the boy moved to Asheville with his parents. From an early age, Luke studied vocals. Thanks to this, he fell in love with music and decided to make it his main activity.
While studying at the school A.A. C. Reynolds High School in Asheville Combs has performed in various vocal groups. On one occasion, he even got the opportunity to perform solo at the famous Carnegie Hall in Manhattan (New York). In addition to singing lessons, the performer also attended a football club in middle and high school.
After graduation, the performer chose Appalachian State University in North Carolina for higher education. There he studied for three years, and in the 4th year, he decided to give priority to music and move to Nashville. Already while studying at the University, Combs wrote the first songs. He even performed with them at a country music show at the Parthenon Cafe.
“I went to clubs and played concerts, but I barely made any money,” said Combs, who dropped out of high school without earning a degree in Criminal Justice. “In the end, I thought I needed to move to Nashville or just stop doing it.”
Luke needed money to move, so he had to work two jobs. However, even thanks to such employment, he did not receive enough money. When the first salary from music was $ 10 thousand, the aspiring artist was simultaneously surprised and excited that a hobby could become his profession. He left both jobs and continued to make music. “This is a thing. I can make a living with this, ”Combs said in an interview with Tennessean.
First popularity
Luke Combs’ road to the big stage began with the EP The Way She Rides (2014). A few months later, the performer released his second EP, Can I Get an Outlaw, thanks to which he gained first popularity. To record two EPs, the artist had to collect money for some time.
He also posted videos of his performances on Facebook and Vine. Thanks to this, the aspiring artist has collected thousands of subscribers. Due to his excellent recognition on the Internet, Luke was invited to perform in all the bars in the area. Sometimes several hundred people came to listen to Combs’ music.
Combs’ fame skyrocketed when he released the single, Hurricane, in 2015. He hit all the charts in the country. Moreover, it took 46th position on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Luke wrote the song with Thomas Archer and Taylor Phillips.
He didn’t see anything special about the track, but he posted it to iTunes anyway. The composition was liked by a significant number of listeners. And in the first week alone, almost 15 thousand copies were sold.
With the money earned from the song Hurricane, the artist recorded another EP This one for You. His activities have attracted significant labels. And at the end of 2015, he signed with Sony Music Nashville. In addition, in 2016, the performer released a video clip for the single Hurricane, directed by Tyler Adams.
Personal life
In 2016, Luke Combs performed at the Florida Festival, where he met his future wife, Nicole Hawking. They saw each other in the crowd, and Nicole invited Luke to join her group of friends. It turned out that the girl also lives in Nashville. When the weekend was over, they returned to town together.
According to Combs, at the time of his meeting with Hawking, he was a musician who went through all the difficulties of the profession. The environment of young people doubted that the relationship between Luke and Nicole would develop. However, the couple began dating. The performer has repeatedly said that the girl became his best friend and inspired him to write love songs.
In 2018, Luke proposed to Nicole in their kitchen, and her beloved agreed. The couple decided not to announce the news until after they arrived in Hawaii and can take better photos for the post. Combs and Hawking were engaged for about two years. They only made the wedding on August 1, 2020. It was attended only by family members and the close circle of the newlyweds.
