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Luke Bryan celebrates a big career year at CMA Awards By Jay Bobbin © Zap2it It hasn't been Luke Bryan's year alone in country music, but there's no question he's been enjoying a fabulous one. Named entertainer of the year at last spring's Academy of Country Music Awards, the singersongwriter is riding high on the success of his album and single both titled "Crash My Party," and he's sold out concert venues across the country on dual tours. Things may be about to get even better for Bryan, since he has three nominations — including entertainer and male vocalist of the year — in the Country Music Association's 47th Annual CMA Awards. Bryan will be among the performers as ABC televises the event from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 6, with Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood paired again as the event's hosts for the sixth consecutive time. Having earned his first two CMA nominations last year, Bryan says he's "excited about" his trio of chances this time. In a rarity for any artist, he's scored a couple of clean sweeps: He took both of his categories in the 2010 ACM Awards, and he won all nine awards he was up for at the 2012 American Country Awards, many of those linked to his hit single "I Don't Want This Night to End." "It's pretty surreal," Bryan muses, adding that at award shows, "I'm like a fan in the room, then I get onstage and do my thing. I just love the award show experience. It's always a fun night for country music to show what they've got, and I really just enjoy being in the moment and being a part of the shows." That's not always limited to being a nominee and/or performer. After teaming this past spring with friend Blake Shelton to host the ACM Awards, Bryan has signed up to do it with him again in 2014. "With every phase of this 2 Luke Bryan is a nominee at the 47th Annual CMA Awards, airing Wednesday on ABC. that's what makes the Bryan says he feels are Aldean, Shelton, business, I give it all I've Bryan will be involved gratified "anytime you got," maintains Bryan. with the Country Music title so special to me. It George Strait and put new music out and "I exhaust every bit of Association again soon, set the tone for the whole Taylor Swift. "I think this it's already resonating brainpower on making as one of the artists on year for me, and it's never business is all about with people, and they're each experience the best the annual "CMA Country let me down." finding your niche, finding playing it in their cars and I can, and I just relish Christmas" special that Bryan's third current your style that sets you singing it back to you. It being in the game of ABC will air Dec. 2. And CMA bid is for musical apart," Bryan says. "If used to take a year or country music." more honors may come event of the year, for his there are 20 or even 100 two for everybody to get Sampling a crowd's his way shortly: He's collaboration with Jason different artists out there an album like I wanted reaction to his tunes nominated for favorite Aldean and Eric Church who are able to do their them to and learn all the — also including the male country artist, and on "The Only Way I own thing and reach their songs, but now people go Know." Bryan calls them country-chart-topping "Crash My Party" is up for fans, it makes country right out and buy it and "That's My Kind of Night" favorite country album in "two dear friends of mine, music even better. come to the shows ready." from the platinumthe 2013 American Music and Jason organized that "The thing you never Though he still feels selling "Crash My Party" Awards, which ABC also whole thing. It just shows want to do is have the thrill of having been — raises that "game" will present Nov. 24. you how smart he is; he everybody stepping on named entertainer of the for married father of two "I've honestly been put all the parts together. each other with the same year once in 2013, Bryan Bryan, who's spent part real blessed in just We'll be linked to that sound. I'm certainly notes, "All year has been of his year performing being fortunate in this honored to be nominated amazing for me. I've been song forever, and that's his Farm Tour to raise business," Bryan reflects. awesome company for in these categories, and able to stand on stages scholarship money for "We know these are the me to be in." it's something I never and thank my audience farm family members and days where we're going Also up for CMA take lightly. I truly always for naming me that. That's part on his more general to look back and know we a fan-voted award, and Dirt Road Diaries Tour. entertainer of the year appreciate it." were blessed." The Goshen News • TV Spotlight • November 4-10, 2013

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