Luke Combs

Write what you want to write, write what people want to hear, and write about what they're going through, because if you could connect with the people who are listening to your music and coming to your concerts and coming to your meet and greets, then you're doing your job well.

I think that was kind of always my goal: get people to come back and see a show twice and then see it a third time. And now I've got people who have been to 30, 40 shows.

I've always been a 'small goals' kind of guy.

I do gravitate towards the sad songs because I find them to be more of a challenge for me from a writing perspective. There are things about those songs that do touch people in a way that a fun song can't.

Both of my grandfathers were in the service. It's one of those things that you can't be thankful enough for.

I think there's kind of a comfortability with me onstage - and I think my cool factor is not having one. I'm not extra cool or extra different.

There's an authenticity in just being who you are and not having an act about it or wear clothes you normally wouldn't wear. I'm just comfortable in my own skin.

I think I never had this grandiose dream of being any country music star. I just slowly progressed into that's what I'm doing.

I drove to Nashville a few times, met with some people and hung out, went to the Opry, and that kind of stuff. I made the decision - you've got to be present to win, so I packed it up and moved out here, and it's been great. It's been the best decision I ever made.

I didn't even know what a tour manager was, but I was the tour manager, booking agent, all that stuff for almost two years without knowing it. I wasn't overwhelmed, because I enjoyed doing it.

I really enjoy the shopping and going out and getting stuff for other people. I could really give a damn about getting gifts for myself, but I really enjoy giving gifts.

The coolest Christmas present I've ever received is probably socks. My grandma always gets me socks - every year - and that's something that I've probably never bought for myself. If Christmas wasn't around and my grandma didn't get me socks, I wouldn't own any, probably.