Luke Bryan Thanks Blake Shelton For ‘Paving A Way’

Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton joke around with each other and give one another a hard time now and then. But in a recent interview, when asked about Shelton leaving The Voice after the next season, Bryan had nothing but kind words for his friend. He said, "Getting the news that Blake's leaving The Voice, we've talked about our careers in those roles. Blake was a big reason why I decided to do American Idol. He's ready to move to the next chapter." Bryan added, "It's gotta be a good feeling. I wish him nothing but the best, and I thank him for paving the way for there to be a voice of country music on TV like that."

In the same interview, Luke also said about his friend and CMA Awards co-host Peyton Manning, "I think Peyton's best joke was the 'Plead the 5th' joke, I won't plead the 5th, but I'll drink a 5th. I had a good one about Peyton where we couldn't find a hat big enough for your head. Peyton had fun; he was excited to be in the room." He even ran into CMA winner Cody Johnson backstage, "I think I just high-fived him and told him 'great job.' He was super-pumped. Watching him interact with his crew, his producer, their intensity was so inspiring and fun, and that's what the night's all about showcasing the next generation."

After a December stint in Las Vegas, Luke's next venture will be January 2023's "Crash My Playa" event. It's an event he looks forward to every year, "It may be the highlight of the year. It's grown every year. Chris Stapleton will be there this year, and we are happy to have him down; Brian Kelley of FGL and Dustin Lynch is the Mayor of Playa. It's been an amazing festival. The fans have a good time, and they drink enough to last them through the rest of the year."

Country music stars have always been quite friendly even though they compete each week for spots on the country charts and ticket sales to their concerts.

Over the years, several bromances have developed between some of country music's most prominent male superstars. We look at the Top 5 Country Music bromances from the last decade, and the guys have outdone themselves on the friendship scale.

Darius makes friends with many people in the entertainment industry. He once told us while we were discussing his friendship with the Duck Dynasty reality show guys that when he likes someone and their work, he reaches out to start a friendship whenever he can. Darius and Charles have been buddies since Rucker started touring with Lady A toward the beginning of his country music career back in 2011 on Lady A's "Own The Night" tour.

These guys have been buddies for a while now and live close to each other in the Nashville area. Once while Thomas was waiting in a grocery store line and realized he didn't have any money, Dierks happened to be behind him in line and loaned him the cash for his purchase. Rhett also had some fun playing part of Bentley's parody band Hot Country Knights.

Kenny and Tim's friendship goes way back to when the guys first came to Nashville in the early 1990s. The guys have retained their 30-year friendship over the years and even did a duet together called "Like A Rock Star" in 2012.

These two superstars recently made another Top 5 list for getting mistaken for each other at times when out in public. Blake and Luke trade fun jabs and even hosted the ACM Awards in 2013. Despite people occasionally saying they don't like each other, they are good friends.

Kane and Chris have been friends since Brown was first signed to Young's RCA label in 2105. While they supported each other from that fateful day, it wasn't until Young's "Famous Friends" duet with Kane in 2021 became such a big hit and award nominee that their friendship became well-known.