Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
The country hitmaker says his motivation comes from a playful competition with fellow star Blake Shelton, whose success keeps him driven in the studio.
Luke Bryan’s secret to staying inspired in country music? A little friendly competition — and a lot of laughs.
In a clip shared by CMT on Friday, Oct. 10, the “Knockin’ Boots” singer opened up about his lighthearted rivalry with longtime friend and fellow country star Blake Shelton, joking that trying to one-up the “God’s Country” hitmaker is what keeps him motivated.
During the chat, fans in the audience shouted, “Blake, we love you!” — a playful nod to the fact that Bryan and Shelton, both 49, are often mistaken for one another.
At one point, the interviewer mentioned how the two stack up in their number of No. 1 country hits. “He’s still behind you, though, on the number ones count,” the host said.
Bryan laughed, replying, “That’s the only reason I’m still in country music — to stay ahead. I thought he was retiring, but he’s back putting songs out. That’s not the deal we had!”
Currently, Bryan boasts 32 No. 1 hits, while Shelton trails close behind with 30.
This isn’t the first time Bryan has poked fun at their similarities. During an April appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, he shared that a gas station attendant once confused him for Shelton.
“The guy at the register was convinced I was Blake Shelton,” Bryan recalled. “He kept asking me about being Blake and said, ‘You must get that a lot.’ I told him, ‘Not much.’ Then he looked at me and said, ‘You’re Blake Shelton’s doppelgänger — can you imagine what it’d be like to have Blake Shelton’s money?’”
Bryan laughed as he remembered his response: “Oh, what it must be like.”
The two country stars have shared a close — and often comical — friendship over the years. When Shelton was named PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2017, Bryan jokingly photoshopped his own face onto the magazine cover five years later.
“Don’t doubt me, @katyperry. The @people love me, and I’m the favorite country judge!” Bryan wrote on X (formerly Twitter), adding, “Don’t be jealous, @blakeshelton.” Shelton good-naturedly replied, “My God, buddy, I hope that works out better for you!”
Bryan has also paid musical tribute to his pal — though with some hiccups. At the CMT Artists of the Year ceremony in 2015, he attempted to perform Shelton’s “Boys ’Round Here” but hilariously stumbled through the lyrics, later apologizing for “completely butchering” the song.