Luke Bryan’s “Luke Bryan & Friends” concert in Nashville brought together some of country music’s biggest names, but Chris Stapleton delivered one of the night’s most memorable moments.
On Thursday, September 24, Bryan welcomed a lineup of superstar friends to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena to celebrate the release of his new album, Signs. The special concert blended songs from the new project with some of the biggest hits from Bryan’s nearly two-decade career.
Because the guest lineup was kept secret, fans had no idea who might appear onstage. Carrie Underwood, Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley, Jason Aldean, Kane Brown, and Chris Stapleton were revealed throughout the evening, turning the sold-out show into a series of surprises.
The celebration actually began backstage. Before the concert, RIAA executives surprised Bryan with two Diamond plaques recognizing “Country Girl (Shake It for Me)” and “Play It Again” for surpassing 10 million certified units each.
Chris Stapleton Joins Luke Bryan onstage
The final surprise of the evening came when Chris Stapleton stepped onto the stage. The crowd erupted as the two country stars teamed up for a heartfelt performance of “Drink A Beer.”
Written by Jim Beavers and Stapleton, the song was recorded by Bryan and released in 2013 as the third single from his album Crash My Party. The emotional ballad went on to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, becoming another major hit in Bryan’s career.
“Drink A Beer” carries a particularly personal meaning for Bryan because of its theme of losing someone close. He has previously spoken about the song’s emotional impact following the deaths of both of his siblings, once calling it “the coolest sad song ever.”
With Stapleton adding his unmistakable voice to the performance, the surprise duet became one of the most touching highlights of an already star-filled Nashville night.