Making his Grand Ole Opry Debut on Friday, April 6th was a dream come true for Capitol Records Nashville's Luke Bryan.  Bryan's debut single "All My Friends Say" hit the airwaves in February, and you can look forward to his debut album hitting the streets this summer!

Listen to Luke Bryan talk, and the natural twang in his voice tells you he’s from as deep into the rural South as a young man can be. Listen to Luke Bryan sing, and the true-as-dirt details tells you he writes about who he is and what he knows.This Capitol Records Nashville artist is a straight-up, down-home country boy, and his music makes that as clear as a sunny day on his family’s Georgia peanut farm.

“Even my friends in Nashville laugh sometimes at how country I am,? says the strapping singer-songwriter in his good-natured drawl. “I’ve lived in Nashville now for more than four years, but I’m still adjusting to it because I can’t do the things I’ve done my whole life. I go stir crazy, because I can’t just walk out my door and go fishing or hunting or do something outdoors.?

He grew up in Leesburg, Georgia—“It’s 100 miles north of the Florida border, 100 miles East of the Alabama border and in the middle of nowhere,? Luke says. The town didn’t get its first traffic light until two years ago, after he had left. Back home, he’d helped his father with his peanut and fertilizer businesses while playing sports and enjoying the great outdoors.

But everyone in Leesburg knew Luke loved to sing. He can remember his mother urging him to belt out George Strait songs over and over while she drove him into town to shop. By age 14, his parents bought him an Alvarez guitar. By 15, he’d become so good at entertaining his family that his father would take him down to a nearby club, Skinner’s, where he shared guitar licks and lead vocals with other local country singers. “Country music is all I’ve ever listened to and all I know,? Luke says. “I could name a hundred influences like—Conway Twitty, Alan Jackson, George Strait, Hank Williams Jr.?

At age 16, two local songwriters who’d enjoyed some success providing tunes for Nashville artists invited him to join their twice-a-week writing sessions at a local church. By that time, Luke led his own band, playing at Skinner’s and various community events.

Encouraged by everyone who heard him play, Luke planned to move to Nashville after high-school graduation. Supported by his family, he was loading his car for the move when tragedy struck. His older brother Chris, Luke’s biggest supporter and one of his best friends, was killed in an auto accident the day Luke was to leave town. “That shut down all plans to move,? Luke says. “The only thing on my mind was being with my family.?

He continued to devote himself to music, finding escape and emotional release in its songs. He poured his feelings into his songwriting, and after enrolling in Georgia Southern University, Luke and his band would perform nearly every weekend on campus or at nearby clubs or parties. He eventually recorded an album of 10 songs, nine of which he’d written.

Despite everyone’s encouragement, he stubbornly refused to reconsider moving to Tennessee. After graduation, he went to work for his father’s agriculture business. Luke loved the work, but a year into it, his father took him for a drive. “Look, your heart is in your music,? his father told him. “It’s what you were meant to do. You either quit this job and move to Nashville, or I’m going to fire you.?

Luke accepted the challenge. He moved to Nashville on Sept. 1, 2001. Within two months, he’d signed a publishing deal with a company owned by the famed songwriter Roger Murrah. Luke spent time honing his material, building up a catalog of songs that were undeniable—and built wholly around his own personality and down-home point of view. When Capitol Records heard his new songs, they signed him on the spot. “It was wonderful. All of my dreams and wishes came together right then and there in that room.?

“All told, I’m glad I waited a little while before moving to Nashville,? he says. “Not only am a better writer and singer with a lot more performing experience, but I’ve also lived a lot more. I know what it feels like to hurt, to fall in love, to have your heart broken, and to miss someone. I’ve also learned what a country audience likes and what songs of mine they respond to the most. I’m ready.?

Getting to know Luke (in his own words):

Hometown:
Leesburg , GA

On Family:
My family is fun and crazy and they just love life. Things were always fast pace around my house we always had people stopping by and it was a wonderful place to grow up. Anytime I needed a guitar or money for something related to music it was there. They encouraged me more than anyone to move to Nashville.

Jobs While Growing Up in Georgia:
Leesburg is a very small town and all the farmland was just outside of town. I did farm peanuts, corn and cotton, or let’s just say my dad did (laughs). Seriously, my life was spent on farms – hunting, fishing and just growing up.

How Georgia Has Shaped You as a Songwriter and Artist:
It’s everything about me. All the people and the culture of the South is what I hope I am. Georgia is where I have most of my fans right now. They have helped shape me as an artist. My songs, whether original or covers, were always targeted to make them have a good time.

Musical Influences:
Ronnie Milsap, Earl Thomas Conley, Conway Twitty, Alan Jackson, Alabama, George Strait, Lionel Ritchie, and Merle Haggard I would say are the biggest.

What You Like Most About Music:
The power it has over people. The simple fact that someone could be having an awful day and your song or performance can make that all go away. The way it affects people’s lives and how they can remember what was going on in their life when they heard a certain song.

What Made You Want to Become a Songwriter:
I knew it was important in the process of becoming an artist. I believe it is really how you get grounded in the music business. Most of all I think it’s just about the coolest job in the world - sit around all day and come up with songs. It’s fun to express yourself through lyrics and music.

What You Like Most About Performing Live:
Looking into the faces of everyone and seeing how they are reacting to you as a singer and performer. Making them have the best time of their life. Having that kind of power is wonderful.

Thoughts That Ran Through Your Head When Capitol Records Nashville Offered You a Record Deal:
“Oh my God. I’ve gotta call Mama and Daddy.? It was wonderful. All of my dreams and wishes came together right then and there in that room.

CDs in Your Car Stereo Right Now:
Johnny Cash Live At San Quentin and Folsom Prison, Dierks Bentley’s first self-titled CD, Hank Jr. and Ronnie Milsap’s 40 Number Ones.

Top 5 Favorite Albums:
Randy Travis, Storms of Life; Clint Black, Killin’ Time; Lionel Ritchie, Love Songs; Alabama, Closer You Get; and George Strait, Greatest Hits Volume 2

Instruments You Play:
Guitar and Piano.

Favorite Food:
Rocky Road , a good filet, oysters on the half shell.

Biggest Guilty Pleasure:
A huge bag of movie popcorn with a lot of salt and butter.

Favorite Movie:
Rudy

Hobbies:
Fishing, hunting, movies, basketball and watching ESPN.

Pets:
I have an English Cocker named Maggie.

Luke Bryan's Official MySpace