Luke Combs was honored with the 109th star on the Music City Walk of Fame on Thursday afternoon (March 21). The country superstar and two-time CMA Entertainer of the Year attended the ceremony at Music City Walk of Fame Park in Downtown Nashville to personally accept the prestigious honor and to celebrate the milestone moment.
Colin Reed And Bill Cody Presented Luke Combs With Music City Walk Of Fame Star
Bill Cody, host of WSM Radio and Grand Ole Opry announcer/host, took to the stage first to praise Combs and his achievements. “Luke, being able to honor you now and your own star on the Music City Walk of Fame, especially as a legendary Opry member during the 100th anniversary year, well, it doesn’t get any more true Nashville than that, does it?” Cody shared from the podium in front of a crowd that included Combs’ team, music industry personnel, friends and family.
After sharing several fun memories that he has shared with Combs over the years, Colin Reed, the Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors at Ryman Properties, presented Combs with a keepsake plaque that symbolizes the Music City Walk of Fame star.
“There are many folks who have been honored over the years by being inducted into the Walk of Fame. All of the inductees have had stellar careers and, in many ways, have helped promote Nashville as a Music City,” Reed explained. “But it’s my view that Luke’s influence on the country music industry, albeit spectacular to date, is in its infancy. His skill set is, in my opinion, is extremely unique. He’s a great artist, a great human being, a great family man, but at the same time an extraordinary songwriter and storyteller.”
“ We are fortunate that he calls Nashville home, and Ryman and Opry Entertainment are delighted that we are partners,” Reed continued, referencing Combs’ partnership with Ryman and Opry Entertainment for his Nashville bar, Category 10. “And last but not least, I’m proud to have you as a friend. So it’s an honor to present Luke with the star,” Reed added before welcoming Luke Combs to the Music City-branded podium.
Combs Accepts The Prestigious Honor In Nashville
Combs then made his way to the podium to accept the honor, wearing jean and his signature Columbia PFG beneath a winter jacket.
“Gosh, what to say? First off… thank you guys for coming out to this for me, I guess, which is weird to say thank you guys so much for being here. I wouldn’t be able to do anything that I do without you guys, the fans,” Combs began. “I mean, you are the reason that country music exists. You are the reason why we all wanted to pursue country music in the first place. So massive, massive shout out to you guys. Thank you so much for being here. It really does mean a lot.”
A humble Combs then stated, “I never prepare a speech for these things, which is at times been a downfall of mine, and I’ll readily admit that. But things that I want to talk about today are… we never start in this business to get recognized or win awards. We start with a love of music right, and that’s what I have. I’ve been singing ever since I was a kid. It’s one of the only things that I feel like I’m actually really good at, and I’m very, very blessed to be able to do that on the scale beyond my wildest dreams. So it’s so incredible to get to be standing up here today. To be on this walk of fame is again something that I never could have planned for.”
Combs Graciously Thanked Everyone Who Has Supported His Career
The 35-year-old North Carolina native went on to graciously thank everyone who has supported his career and his team, as well as his friends and family, a lot of whom were in attendance.
“There’s so many family and friends to thank. I’ll start off with my parents. My parents live here now, and they’re the grandparents to me and my wife’s two beautiful sons, and family is the most important thing to me. Being my son’s dad and my wife’s husband and the son to my parents is the most important thing in the world to me. Number two being my friends. My friends have always been a huge part of my life, with my friends from high school or college or here in Nashville. I grew up an only child, so friends were always the brothers that I had never had, and they had meant so much to me, and that includes my work family.”
Luke Combs continued to showcase gratitude for his manager, Christopher Kappy, and the rest of his team at Sony Music Nashville and beyond. “Kappy has been by my side for a decade now. He had never managed anybody. I had never had a manager. And this guy spent his life savings and moved here from Atlanta, Georgia to take a chance on me, and here we are 10 years later,” he detailed. “So I want to thank Kappy for everything he’s done. He’s put together a stellar team around me, everybody in my tour family, Ethan and Jerry, my Sony Nashville family for giving me a label home. All my publishers throughout the years, I mean, there’s so many people, my songwriting buddies who are sitting in this row right behind Kappy and my wife and my family and friends, and it’s just, I never would’ve imagined in a million years that it would’ve turned into what it turned into, and it started as a dream.”
The “Hurricane” singer went on to express how thankful he is for a life that has surpassed his wildest dreams. “People ask me, when did you make it in the music business? I get asked that question all the time, and the answer is always the same. All I wanted to do was be able to make a living playing music and doing something that I loved, and that would’ve been paying my bills, living in a one-bedroom apartment by myself. I would’ve been happy doing that. So when I came to Nashville, there was never any expectations of I need to be a superstar, or I need to play stadiums, or I need to get a publishing deal. It was just, I want to be happy, and I’m so happy living the life that I get to live now and living it with the people that I get to live it with.”
He concluded, “I couldn’t be more thankful for everybody that’s here today. There’s so many people that aren’t here to say thank you to, and I love each and every one of you guys. Thank you so much. Here’s to many, many, many, many more years of music. Thank y’all!”
Received 109th Star On Music City Walk of Fame
After delivering a heartfelt speech, Luke Combs revealed his star on the Music City Walk of Fame and was all smiles as he admired his star on the Music City Walk of Fame. “Wow! That’s unbelievable. That’s really unbelievable. I never thought I’d see that. That’s pretty cool, pretty damn cool,” Combs said, grinning ear to ear.
The chart-topping singer/songwriter then posed for photos with his mom Rhonda, his wife Nicole Combs, and her sister Jenna Hocking. He was also joined by his managers Sophia Sansone and Christopher Kappy, along with other members of his team, as well as Cody and Reed. Following the Music City Walk of Fame star ceremony, Luke Combs headed over to greet the hundreds of fans gathered around, signing autographs and taking a few quick selfies, before making his way out.
Bootleggers and country music fans eager to see Luke Combs’ Walk of Fame star in person can now visit the Walk of Fame in Downtown Nashville to check out his star on the iconic walkway.
What Is The Music City Walk of Fame, And Who Gets A Star?
The prestigious honor is presented to an artist in recognition of “their significant work of preserving the musical heritage of Nashville and for contributing to the world through song.”
“Luke Combs has made an undeniable impact on country music, capturing the hearts of fans around the world with his powerful voice, heartfelt songwriting, and genuine authenticity,” said Doug Kreulen, Chairman of Music City Inc., the foundation of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “His journey from playing small venues to selling out stadiums is a testament to his talent, dedication and deep connection to music lovers, making him a perfect addition to the Music City Walk of Fame.”
Established in 2006 along Nashville’s Music Mile, The Music City Walk of Fame features permanent sidewalk medallions honoring its inductees. Spanning approximately one mile, this iconic pathway connects downtown Nashville to Music Row, with each medallion designed in the shape of a star. The Music City Walk of Fame is an official initiative of Music City Inc., the charitable foundation of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, with support from founding sponsor Gibson. Additional sponsors include Metro Nashville International Airport (BNA), the City of Nashville, Metro Parks and Recreation, Nashville Downtown Partnership, and Hilton Nashville Downtown.
For more details, visit visitmusiccity.com/walkoffame.
