Luke Bryan is nothing if not a power player of country.
That’s why he appears on the cover of Billboard’s 2018 Country Power Players, an issue dedicated to both the artists and music business leaders creating waves in the industry.
Inside the magazine, Luke discusses tragedy in his family, hip-hop in his music and critics who can stir up sadness in him.
“Certainly, I’ve caught flack for my styles of country. When I read something negative about myself, it kind of gets me down,” Luke says. “But the true traditionalists, they’ll always bark. I mean, everybody wants hair metal back. Everybody wants the ’70s back, and it just doesn't work that way. It’s not coming back.”
The issue also acknowledges Florida Georgia Line with its Trailblazers honor, while additional honorees Chairman/CEO of Sony Music Nashville, Randy Goodman; Executive Producer of the CMA Awards, Robert Deaton; and more.
See the full list here, and read Luke’s complete cover story here.