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Maren Morris downs a shot of tequila with a wince. “I love that we’re taking shots and then saying, ‘OK, so let’s talk about Ron DeSantis,’ ” Morris says with a chuckle. The four drag luminaries she’s toasting with today — Eureka O’Hara, Landon Cider, Sasha Colby and Symone — grimace through their own post-shot puckers […]
Jelly Roll will perform at Billboard‘s inaugural Billboard Country Live in Concert event in Nashville on June 6. In January 1999, one month after he turned 14, Jason DeFord was baptized by full immersion at Whitsitt Chapel Baptist Church in Antioch, Tenn. By the end of that year, he was incarcerated for the first, but […]
Each year, the music industry inevitably loses some of its most influential behind-the-scenes players — corporate executives, agents, managers, songwriters, producers, engineers, lawyers, promoters, visionaries and more who shaped the business in a multitude of ways. So far in 2023, the industry has lost people like Alba “Albita” Eagan, the public and talent relations executive […]
BBR Music Group hosted a brunch at the 2023 ACM Awards under sunny skies at the Briarstone Country Club in Frisco, Texas. Held the morning of the ACM Awards on May 11 for more than 200 people and sponsored by Heineken and Billboard, the event was presided over by BMG Nashville president Jon Loba, who […]
Beyoncé‘s Renaissance World Tour kicked off in Stockholm on Wednesday (May 10). The star gave a dazzling, three-hour showcase of tracks from recently released LP Renaissance, iconic hits from her solo career across two decades, and even delighted fans with a few songs from her time in Destiny’s Child. In addition to the hits, the […]
At the beginning of 2021 — a year before she introduced herself to the world as Ice Spice, with her signature cinnamon curly afro — Isis Gaston wrapped her hair into two braids and tucked them underneath a silk scarf. Wearing a black lounge set, she smiled for the camera while a sample of Nelly’s “Hot in Herre” faded into the background and the hook of “Buss It,” rapper Erica Banks’ breakout 2020 single, started. The clip cut, and Gaston, now clad in a teal cut-out dress, dropped it low and twerked with her long, light brown locks cascading over her frame.
The viral video was just one of millions from the “Buss It” TikTok challenge, which helped Banks earn her first Billboard Hot 100 entry, a Travis Scott remix and a partnership with Warner Records in conjunction with her own label, 1501 Certified Entertainment. But for the then-21-year-old Gaston, who was just mustering the courage to record her own music, the TikTok trend and the way it boosted Banks’ career seemed like something she could achieve, too.
“It was so funny — I was already working on my first song ever that I was recording. I had already wrote little raps and sh-t before that, [but] it took me a lot to get to recording. I was halfway done with it when I did the ‘Buss It’ challenge. When I saw it going so viral, I was like, ‘Damn, imagine that was my song I was twerking to,’ ” she recalls today with a chuckle. “The next month, I put out my first song and took it from there.”
Read the full cover story here.
Image Credit: Christian Cody
Alaïa bodysuit, Stuart Weitzman shoes, Le Vian jewelry.
Image Credit: Christian Cody
Versace top and skirt, Balmain boots, Le Vian jewelry.
Image Credit: Christian Cody
Alaïa bodysuit, Stuart Weitzman shoes, Le Vian jewelry.
Image Credit: Christian Cody
Alaïa playsuit, Stuart Weitzman shoes, Tiffany & Co. jewelry.
Versace top and skirt, Balmain boots, Le Vian jewelry.
Styling by Marissa Pelly. Hair by Dijah Slayy. Makeup by Karina Milan at The Wall Group. Set Design by Jacob Burstein at MHS Artists.
The inaugural Billboard Mujeres Latinas en la Música (Billboard Latin Women in Music) took place over the weekend in Miami and celebrated Latin female artists, executives and creatives who are proactively working for positive change, inclusion and gender parity in the music industry.
A first of its kind for Latin music, the two-hour music special was co-hosted by Ivy Queen and Jacqueline Bracamontes and aired exclusively on Telemundo and Peacock, honoring seven incredible singer/songwriters in the industry.
In her first public appearance since her recent move to Miami from Spain, Colombian superstar Shakira received the Woman of the Year award. Other honorees included Mexican singer-songwriter Ana Gabriel, with the Living Legend Award; Argentine singer Emilia, with the Rising Star Award; Venezuelan singer, actress and director Evaluna, who received the Tradition and Future Award; Colombian singer Goyo, with the Agent of Change Award; Mexican superstar Thalia, with the Global Powerhouse Award; and Argentine Maria Becerra with the Visionary Award.
The honorees were joined by a star-studded wave of presenters such as Elena Rose, Greeicy and Nicole Zignago, to name a few.
Most of the honorees also took center stage for eclectic performances. Among others, Thalia opened the night with a medley of hits, Ana Gabriel put the whole audience on their feet with her heart-wrenching “Simplemente Amigos,” and Emilia debuted her Brazilian dance funk “No_se_ve.mp3” alongside “Ludmilla.”
With the launch of Billboard Mujeres Latinas en la Música, Billboard and Telemundo aim to further elevate Latin music globally and celebrate the women who have made a concrete impact on Latin music through their artistic achievements, or through tangible, noteworthy actions that have brought measurable recognition and opportunity to women, affecting positive change to the industry as a whole.
Here are some fun Polaroids taken backstage of Shakira, Goyo and more. Many even autographed them.
Shakira
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Photographed on May 6, 2023 at Watsco Center in Coral Gables, FL.
Goyo
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Photographed on May 6, 2023 at Watsco Center in Coral Gables, FL.
Evaluna
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Photographed on May 6, 2023 at Watsco Center in Coral Gables, FL.
Greeicy
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Photographed on May 6, 2023 at Watsco Center in Coral Gables, FL.
Nicole Zignago
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Photographed on May 6, 2023 at Watsco Center in Coral Gables, FL.
Elena Rose
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Photographed on May 6, 2023 at Watsco Center in Coral Gables, FL.
Maria Becerra
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Photographed on May 6, 2023 at Watsco Center in Coral Gables, FL.
Shakira
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Photographed on May 6, 2023 at Watsco Center in Coral Gables, FL.
Jacky Bracamontes
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Photographed on May 6, 2023 at Watsco Center in Coral Gables, FL.
Nicole Zignago
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Photographed on May 6, 2023 at Watsco Center in Coral Gables, FL.
Maria Becerra
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Photographed on May 6, 2023 at Watsco Center in Coral Gables, FL.
Greeicy
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Photographed on May 6, 2023 at Watsco Center in Coral Gables, FL.
Goyo
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Photographed on May 6, 2023 at Watsco Center in Coral Gables, FL.
Evaluna
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Photographed on May 6, 2023 at Watsco Center in Coral Gables, FL.
Elena Rose
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Photographed on May 6, 2023 at Watsco Center in Coral Gables, FL.
Before kicking off the first edition of the Billboard Latin Women in Music gala in Miami on May 6, stars such as Thalia, Evaluna, Emilia and Maria Becerra, among many others, strutted the red carpet. See the photos here.
Hosted by Ivy Queen and Jacqueline Bracamontes, the event is the first of its kind for Latin music. Mujeres Latinas en la Música, held at the Watsco Center, celebrates Latin female artists, executives and creatives who are proactively working for positive change, inclusion and gender parity in the music industry.
Shakira will receive the first-ever Woman of the Year award. Other honorees include Ana Gabriel, who will receive the Living Legend Award; Emilia, who will receive the Rising Star Award; Maria Becerra, who will receive the Visionary Award; Evaluna, who will receive the Tradition and Future Award; Goyo, who will receive the Agent of Change Award, and Thalia, who will receive the Global Powerhouse Award.
Presenters throughout the show include Ludmilla, JP Saxe, Guaynaa, Lele Pons, Ha*Ash, Greeicy, Elena Rose and Nicole Zignago, to name a few.
The inaugural Latin Women in Music event was announced earlier this year as an expansion of Billboard’s Women in Music franchise. Billboard and Telemundo aim to further elevate Latin music globally and celebrate the women who have made a concrete impact on Latin music through their artistic achievements, or through tangible, noteworthy actions that have brought measurable recognition and opportunity to women, affecting positive change to the industry as a whole.
Watch Mujeres Latinas en la Música on Sunday, May 7 at 9 p.m. ET exclusively on Telemundo and Peacock.
Thalía
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Thalía at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Greeicy Rendón
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Greeicy Rendón at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Lele Pons & Guaynaa
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Lele Pons and Guaynaa at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Ludmilla
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Ludmilla at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Jacqueline Bracamontes
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Jacqueline Bracamontes at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Elena Rose
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Elena Rose at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Gale
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Gale at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Amara Le Negra
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Amara Le Negra at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Sofía del Prado
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Sofía del Prado at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Maria Becerra
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Maria Becerra at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Emilia
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Emilia at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Andrea Meza
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Andrea Meza at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Giselle Blondet
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Giselle Blondet at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Estefany Oliveira De Sousa
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Estefany Oliveira De Sousa at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Michelle Posada
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Michelle Posada at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Alexia Del Valle
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Alexia Del Valle at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Paulina B
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Paulina B at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Adriana De Moura
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Adriana De Moura at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Nicole Zignano
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Nicole Zignano at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Paula Arenas
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Paula Arenas at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Guerdy Abraira
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Guerdy Abraira at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Denise Rosenthal
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Denise Rosenthal at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Simoné Marval
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Simoné Marval at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Adriana Cataño
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Adriana Cataño at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Jessica Carrillo
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Jessica Carrillo at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Carlos Adyan
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Carlos Adyan at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Sonia Clavell
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Sonia Clavell at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Shantall Lacayo
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Shantall Lacayo at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Leila Cobo
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Leila Cobo at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Laura Flores
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Laura Flores at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Goyo
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Goyo at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Chiky BomBom
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Chiky BomBom at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Gabriella Cataño-Salinas
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Gabriella Cataño-Salinas at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Ashley Grace
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Ashley Grace at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Chesca
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Chesca at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Evaluna & JP Saxe
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Evaluna and JP Saxe at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Sofía Jirau & Lele Pons
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Sofía Jirau and Lele Pons at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
MŌRIAH
Image Credit: Rich Polk
MŌRIAH at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Evaluna
Image Credit: Rich Polk
c at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
It’s all about the fans — and the stars, too, of course! Stars descended on the red carpet at Austin’s Moody Center on Sunday (April 2) for the 2023 CMT Music Awards, showing off looks that ranged from glamorous to edgy to casual.
Megan Thee Stallion, who is presenting during the ceremony, stunned in a dark blue curve-hugging gown with a cutout and white triangular detail on her left hip, with matching earrings and nails to balance her look. Co-host Kane Brown walked the carpet with wife Katelyn Brown — with whom he’ll be performing during the show — in matching outfits: him in a suit that’s top half was white, and black from the waist down. Katelyn stunned in a strapless white dress with matching gloves.
Performer and co-host Kelsea Ballerini and Outer Banks star Chase Stokes made their red carpet debut as a couple. The country singer was in a figure-hugging corseted high-low gray dress with white straps, while the actor was casual sleek in an unbuttoned black shirt with white piping and matching pants.
Also showing off their looks on the carpet were HARDY, Darius Rucker with Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes, Carie Underwood, Ashley McBryde, Bailey Zimmerman, Ingrid Andress, Jelly Roll, Wynonna Judd and many more.
Lainey Wilson has the most nominations going into this year’s fan-voted show, with a total of four. Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson and Brown follow with three each. Ahead of the ceremony, the CMT Music Awards announced that Shania Twain will be honored with the CMT Equal Pay Award.
The 2023 CMT Music Awards begin at 8 p.m. ET/PT; it will air on CBS and livestream on Paramount+.
Scroll down to see photos of the stars at the CMT Music Awards red carpet.
Kane Brown & Katelyn Jae Brown
Image Credit: Emma McIntyre/GI
Kane Brown and Katelyn Jae Brown on the red carpet at the 2023 CMT Music Awards at Moody Center on April 2 in Austin.
Kelsea Ballerini
Image Credit: Christopher Polk for Variety
Kelsea Ballerini at the 2023 CMT Music Awards held at Moody Center on April 2 in Austin.
Megan Thee Stallion
Image Credit: Christopher Polk for Variety
Megan Thee Stallion at the 2023 CMT Music Awards on April 2 in Austin.
Shania Twain
Image Credit: Renee Dominguez/FilmMagic
Shania Twain at the 2023 CMT Music Awards at the Moody Center on April 2 in Austin.
Ashley McBryde
Image Credit: Christopher Polk for Variety
Ashley McBryde at the 2023 CMT Music Awards at the Moody Center on April 2 in Austin.
Carly Pearce
Image Credit: Jason Kempin/GI
Carly Pearce at the 2023 CMT Music Awards at the Moody Center on April 2 in Austin.
Lainey Wilson
Image Credit: Christopher Polk for Variety
Lainey Wilson at the 2023 CMT Music Awards at the Moody Center on April 2 in Austin.
Jelly Roll
Image Credit: Christopher Polk for Variety
Jelly Roll at the 2023 CMT Music Awards at the Moody Center on April 2 in Austin.
Gary Clark Jr. & Nicole Trunfio
Image Credit: Christopher Polk for Variety
Gary Clark Jr. and Nicole Trunfio at the 2023 CMT Music Awards at the Moody Center on April 2 in Austin.
Russell Dickerson
Image Credit: Christopher Polk for Variety
Russell Dickerson at the 2023 CMT Music Awards at the Moody Center on April 2 in Austin.
Morgan Wade
Image Credit: Christopher Polk for Variety
Morgan Wade at the 2023 CMT Music Awards at the Moody Center on April 2 in Austin.
Dustin Lynch
Image Credit: Christopher Polk for Variety
Dustin Lynch at the 2023 CMT Music Awards at the Moody Center on April 2 in Austin.
Dixie D’Amelio
Image Credit: Christopher Polk for Variety
Dixie D’Amelio at the 2023 CMT Music Awards at the Moody Center on April 2 in Austin.
Travis Kelce
Image Credit: Emma McIntyre/GI for CMT
Travis Kelce attends the 2023 CMT Music Awards at Moody Center on April 02, 2023 in Austin, Texas.
HARDY
Image Credit: Christopher Polk for Variety
HARDY at the 2023 CMT Music Awards held at Moody Center on April 2, 2023 in Austin, Texas.
Cole Swindell
Image Credit: Christopher Polk for Variety
Cole Swindell at the 2023 CMT Music Awards held at Moody Center on April 2, 2023 in Austin, Texas.
Wynonna Judd
Image Credit: Emma McIntyre/GI for CMT
Wynonna Judd attends the 2023 CMT Music Awards at Moody Center on April 02, 2023 in Austin, Texas.
Priscilla Block
Image Credit: Christopher Polk for Variety
Priscilla Block at the 2023 CMT Music Awards held at Moody Center on April 2, 2023 in Austin, Texas.
Bailey Zimmerman
Image Credit: Christopher Polk for Variety
Bailey Zimmerman at the 2023 CMT Music Awards held at Moody Center on April 2, 2023 in Austin, Texas.
Gwen Stefani
Image Credit: Christopher Polk for Variety
Gwen Stefani at the 2023 CMT Music Awards held at Moody Center on April 2, 2023 in Austin, Texas.
Blake Shelton
Image Credit: Christopher Polk for Variety
Blake Shelton at the 2023 CMT Music Awards held at Moody Center on April 2, 2023 in Austin, Texas.
Carrie Underwood
Image Credit: Emma McIntyre/GI for CMT
Carrie Underwood attends the 2023 CMT Music Awards at Moody Center on April 02, 2023 in Austin, Texas.
Cody Johnson & Brandi Johnson
Image Credit: Emma McIntyre/GI for CMT
Brandi Johnson and Cody Johnson attend the 2023 CMT Music Awards at Moody Center on April 02, 2023 in Austin, Texas.
Ingrid Andress
Image Credit: Kevin Mazur/GI for CMT
Ingrid Andress attends the 2023 CMT Music Awards at Moody Center on April 02, 2023 in Austin, Texas.
LeAnn Rimes
Image Credit: Christopher Polk for Variety
LeAnn Rimes at the 2023 CMT Music Awards held at Moody Center on April 2, 2023 in Austin, Texas.
Austin Mahone
Image Credit: Christopher Polk for Variety
Austin Mahone at the 2023 CMT Music Awards held at Moody Center on April 2, 2023 in Austin, Texas.
Alanis Morissette
Image Credit: Emma McIntyre/GI for CMT
Alanis Morissette attends the 2023 CMT Music Awards at Moody Center on April 02, 2023 in Austin, Texas.
Nate Smith
Image Credit: Emma McIntyre/GI for CMT
Nate Smith attends the 2023 CMT Music Awards at Moody Center on April 02, 2023 in Austin, Texas.
Jon Pardi
Image Credit: Kevin Mazur/GI for CMT
Jon Pardi attends the 2023 CMT Music Awards at Moody Center on April 02, 2023 in Austin, Texas.
Cynthia Kereluk, Paul Rodgers, Chuck Leavell, Billy Gibbons & Warren Haynes
Image Credit: Kevin Mazur/GI for CMT
Cynthia Kereluk, Paul Rodgers, Chuck Leavell, Billy Gibbons and Warren Haynes attend the 2023 CMT Music Awards at Moody Center on April 02, 2023 in Austin, Texas.
As Luke Combs’ booking agent, WME partner Aaron Tannenbaum, began plotting the European leg of the country star’s massive 2023 world tour, he encountered some promoters, in places like Hamburg, Germany, and Zurich, who were skeptical that a country act would sell tickets in Europe. So he repeated a kind of mantra to them: “You can always count on Luke Combs.”
He was right: Combs sold out all nine European dates he booked (and in substantially larger venues than initially planned). But the mantra — a testament not only to Combs’ dependability as a global touring act but to his rock-solid character — has plenty of less glamorous applications, too. Today, Combs, 33, is sitting in his manager’s Nashville office (a memento-filled monument to, well, him) at the beginning of our interview when a staffer pops her head in. “Nicole [Combs’ wife] needs your keys,” she says. The base of his 9-month-old son Tex’s car seat is in Combs’ truck, and Nicole needs to take the little guy to daycare.
“Do you know how to get it out?” Combs asks hesitantly. He starts to explain, then jumps up. “I’ll just do it, it takes literally one second.” He turns to me. “Baby stuff!”
You can always count on Luke Combs, and that is basically his brand. Without a shtick beyond “everyman,” Combs now fills stadiums nationwide as the Country Music Association’s reigning entertainer of the year, hot off his 15th No. 1 single on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. Just your neighborhood consistent, reliable global sensation, on the cusp of bringing country to one of the widest non-pop crossover audiences it has ever had, signature red Solo cups in hand and fishing shirt on as he constructs a kind of fame that’s built to last.
Read Luke Combs’ full Billboard cover story here.
Image Credit: Eric Ryan Anderson
Asos shirt, Harbor Bay T-shirt, Joe’s Jeans jeans, Bass Pro Shops hat.
Image Credit: Eric Ryan Anderson
Asos shirt, Harbor Bay T-shirt, Joe’s Jeans jeans, Bass Pro Shops hat.
Image Credit: Eric Ryan Anderson
HB shirt, Harbor Bay T-shirt, Joe’s Jeans jeans, M.L. Leddy boots, Miller Lite vintage hat.
Image Credit: Eric Ryan Anderson
Luke Combs photographed on March 14, 2023 at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium.