Luke Bryan on hosting CMA Awards with Peyton Manning: '[He's] a great fan of country music'

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When Luke Bryan steps on a stage, he wants to make sure everyone has fun — including the millions who may be watching him from home.

This fall, he returns to one of the biggest stages in country music: Co-hosting the annual CMA Awards. Bryan — an arena-sized country-pop entertainer known for hits "Play It Again" and "Drink A Beer" — shares his hosting duties on Nashville's so-called "biggest night" alongside first-time host and pro football legend Peyton Manning. The celebration airs live Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. on ABC.

And, yes, he's hoping it'll be another fun night.

"I was pretty comfortable up there," Bryan said. "I just love that ... it's fun, having that role, being the host."

In a new Tennessean interview, Bryan chatted about his upcoming CMA Awards co-hosting gig, his new single "Country On" and why he's teaming up with the National Pork Board for this year's Farm Tour.

Luke Bryan performs during the 55th CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021 in Nashville, Tenn.
Luke Bryan performs during the 55th CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021 in Nashville, Tenn.

[This interview has been edited and condensed]

Tennessean: You're back this year to co-host the CMA Awards with Peyton Manning. What did you learn from last year?

Luke Bryan: It felt like a big, fun night for me. [I want] to try to make sure that I'm always creating some laughs, some fun moments and making sure everybody can be comfortable in the room.

Tennessean: Being a football fan from Georgia, has Manning ever broken your heart before?

Luke Bryan: He's hurt the 'ole Georgia boy quite a few times. The Peyton years were pretty dark for the Georgia Bulldogs. He's an amazing quarterback and a great guy and a great fan of country music. It's gonna be fun being on stage with him. He and I have gotten to be pretty good buddies over the years.

Tennessee sophomore quarterback Peyton Manning (16) fires a pass against Georgia on Sept. 9, 1995. Manning picked apart Georgia's defense for 349 yards and two touchdowns as the eighth-ranked Vols won a 30-27 shootout at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville.
Tennessee sophomore quarterback Peyton Manning (16) fires a pass against Georgia on Sept. 9, 1995. Manning picked apart Georgia's defense for 349 yards and two touchdowns as the eighth-ranked Vols won a 30-27 shootout at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville.

Tennessean: You've got a lot of experience in winning Entertainer of the Year trophies. What's it like to take home that top prize for the first time?

Luke Bryan: It's the No. 1 achievement that I could ever truly say that I've had. When IO was a kid watching CMAs and watching my heroes win the Entertainer of the Year, to put myself in that position to win was one of the most gratifying situations in my artist career. Those CMA Awards sit on my trophy mantle and it's pretty amazing to stare at 'em and keep striving to be a better entertainer.

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Tennessean: What've you seen resonate about the message of your new single, "Country On"?

Luke Bryan: It's kind of a throwback-sounding classic country song. It's like an Alabama song that I was able to record. At the end of the day, it appreciates so many hard-workin' Americans out there. ... The American spirit's really portrayed in this song to me. When people can hear a song that really uplifts and makes you proud to be an American — when we say "Hey, hey, U.S.A., we ain't seen our better days" — me, as an American, that's how I have to look at our country. That the better days are on the way.

Tennessean: You tapped into some classic country elements on the album cuts of your last full-length, "Born Here Live Here Die Here." I'm wondering if that's something you're trying to tap into more moving forward?

Luke Bryan: When you start talking about a 15, 16, 17-year career in this business, you're going to go through ebbs and flows of what you're lovin' as an artist. My first album, I didn't have children — I was in a totally different headspace. Now, as I'm a father, I have different concerns that come into my artistry, it all comes through [in] the music. My goal every time I turn in an album is: Every song on the album is a piece of me and says what I believe. People may have a misconception about what I am as an artist. Every time I can put an album out and show a different side of me, that's what fans need to hear.

Tennessean: You're raising awareness for pig farming with National Pork Board this fall on your rural Farm Tour. Tell me about what you're doing with this organization.

Luke Bryan: Yeah, being out on Farm Tour for years, we really try to showcase farmers. The National Pork Board reached out to us and told us about what their campaign was. I thought it was an interesting campaign. It really showcased pig farmers in a better light and showed just how technologically-advanced pig farming operations are. Any time people can go purchase their food and feel good about how that process was, I think it helps farming and pig farmers everywhere.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: CMA Awards: Luke Bryan talks hosting with 'great guy' Peyton Manning