Yes, Luke Bryan Told Me to Kiss His Ass

What can I say. After nearly 16 years, some 8,200 published articles, I’m humbled and overjoyed to have been graced with this incredible honor. I thought this day would never come. But it’s a testament to hard work, perseverance, and never giving up on your goals. If I haven’t accomplished anything else, and if I accomplish nothing ever again, I can die with a smile on my face from the fulfilling warmth of knowing that for at least one shining moment, I was in Luke Bryan’s kitchen.
I want to thank God. I want to thank the Academy. Of course I want to thank all of my friends and family. And I want to thank all of you—the sainted Saving Country Music readers, for making all of this possible. In the immortal words of Pedro Sánchez, all of my wildest dreams have come true.
This all stems from an article I posted last week highlighting the criticism of another critic named Ross Raihala who attended a Luke Bryan concert at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota on Saturday, October 14th. Raihala wrote an honest review (paywalled) of his experience at the concert that Luke Bryan took exception to. I piped up in Raihala’s defense, and added a little extra color. That was all. Really, I was a secondary player in the whole thing.
But when Ross Raihala retweeted my article, Luke Bryan came for Raihala a second time, and responded to me, “You can kiss my ass too.”

My response was, “You mad, bro? Just got done telling someone that you’ve always seemed like one of the sincerely nicest people in country music. I still believe that, and appreciate your pluck here by responding. Some of your album cuts aren’t bad I guess…”
No reason to get ugly. No time in life for all that. In fact, I respect the dash that Luke Bryan showed by even responding. That’s a lot more than a lot of folks in the “Americana” community are willing to do as they lob grenades my way, but block me because they’re too cowardly to engage in actual repartee.
Anyway, I delve much more into this matter, as well as the other big stories of the last week on the 2nd episode of the newly-launched Saving Country Music Roundup podcast. This where on a weekly(ish) basis, I will round up the biggest stories of the week, and upon occasion, offer addition commentary like I do on the Luke Bryan situation. Not all of the content on SCM can be found there. But for folks who are too busy to read everything, this is your audio alternative.
It’s available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and many other podcast networks. You can find the RSS Feed HERE.
Meanwhile, you can see country music’s Gomer Pyle hosting the upcoming CMA Awards on November 8th, as well as the upcoming season of American Idol.
October 26, 2023 @ 8:40 am
No, I can’t see him there because I can’t watch that sort of dreck. There will probably be a rerun of The Courtship of Eddie’s Father on at that time.
October 26, 2023 @ 9:02 am
May the music never play you off the stage, Trig. ???? ???? ????
October 26, 2023 @ 9:07 am
Way to go Trig. Wear it like a badge of honor.
October 26, 2023 @ 9:10 am
Pucker up Trig
October 26, 2023 @ 9:17 am
Some of your album cuts aren’t bad I guess…
Cue up the Bill Burr chortle.
October 26, 2023 @ 9:37 am
Hey Luke if your reading this, My name is Lee and your music sucks. The best thing about your songs is when they end. I’ve farted before and mistook it for one of your 1’s. If you want to tag me on your next kiss my ass post here’s my insta. lee_78cherokee80j20
October 26, 2023 @ 9:53 am
As Norman Spinrad said: “The opprobrium of assholes is a badge of honor.”
October 26, 2023 @ 9:53 am
Bryan sure seems defensive. With all of his success, why does he find it necessary to pout about critics?
It’s almost as if KNOWS his music sucks and has some self-loathing.
October 26, 2023 @ 9:57 am
Nice work! Congratulations for upsetting Luke Aldean!
October 26, 2023 @ 10:53 am
Lololololololol pure gold
October 26, 2023 @ 11:43 am
Did you break your arm jerking yourself off there Kyle?
October 26, 2023 @ 12:02 pm
Nice try, Luke….
Nice work, Trigger!
October 26, 2023 @ 12:34 pm
You should have responded by asking him to explain the neck beard.
October 26, 2023 @ 1:35 pm
You were too friendly to him, Trigger.
He doesn’t deserve any politeness. He is a soulless sellout.
October 26, 2023 @ 6:31 pm
It’s amazing that he isn’t harrassed daily to his face for how awful his music is. He is a main reason that when I say I like country music I have to explain further
October 26, 2023 @ 1:49 pm
You deserve this distinguished honor more than anyone, Trig. Overjoyed to see you finally receive the recognition you deserve. By the way – “Tailgate Blues” is an album cut I do happen to enjoy. “Spring Breakdown”, meanwhile, remains the greatest source of misery in my life, which has not been an easy one by any stretch of the imagination. Ah, the duality of existence…
October 26, 2023 @ 1:52 pm
Well, that wasn’t very nice.
October 26, 2023 @ 2:07 pm
I wonder if he oils up his ass like he does his arms. On second thought, never mind.
October 26, 2023 @ 5:15 pm
I think if I were you, I’d ask Kyle to re-word this for you.
October 27, 2023 @ 6:50 am
Thank you
October 26, 2023 @ 10:24 pm
Are you in middle school, or a freshman in high Scholl? Gotta be one or the other.
October 27, 2023 @ 6:50 am
If only
October 30, 2023 @ 1:01 pm
Nope, bibs- he’s just a loser.
October 26, 2023 @ 2:41 pm
That is hilarious! You must be stoked. I’m stoked for you. He seems like a bit of a dick.
October 26, 2023 @ 3:11 pm
Well played Trigger. Sincere congrats on such a special achievement. Dare to dream but maybe some day Dan and Shay will tell you to kiss both of their asses.
October 26, 2023 @ 3:17 pm
I’m so proud of you Trigger
October 26, 2023 @ 3:31 pm
I’m not sure if I should make a masturbatory crack at you for writing an article about this or applaud you for the accomplishment.
Honestly though, you’re at your best when you mix satire with truth, and this is it. 2 thumbs up
October 26, 2023 @ 3:38 pm
: D Hey Luke,
Ignore the negative, immature comments.
Kudos to you & your wife for raising your Sister & Brother-in-law’s children.
Know they are family. But, what a major way for you guys to step up.
Way to show people how a real man stands up responsibly, and takes charge.
Know a lot of this falls on your wife’s shoulders, as well
????
October 26, 2023 @ 5:20 pm
She stayed on subject!
October 26, 2023 @ 5:42 pm
Am almost always on subject.
: D Trigger just likes to bitch.
And, Good Evening to you, Jerry
October 27, 2023 @ 3:43 pm
I guess now would not be a good time to mention the Tab Benoit show at the Grey Eagle on Nov.15th? Grace Potter is at the Orange Peel the same night. (I think venues do this on purpose).
October 27, 2023 @ 5:28 pm
Hyperventilating… !!!
Where is the Grey Eagle?
You going?!
Am spending a bit of money on this getaway, in fact spending my allotment of fun money until Feb.
First trip in ~14 months.
Bet you a $1. we’re going to a concert, only they’re not telling me.
This is part of the crowd that secured tickets to the Eagles in Cleveland, 28 October, 2018.
This trip is to celebrate November Birthdays of dear friends.
Headed to the Annapolis, Chesapeake Bay area.
Certainly hoping you get to go to the show!
You devil!!!
Mmmmm, Mmmmm, Mmmmm, …
Tab Benoit.
The guy that can have you squirming in your seat for 2+ hours, as he wail/whales/PLAYS THAT GUITAR.
And, you know, you don’t squirm for just anyone.
MERCY GOODNESS.
Now you have my blood going.
You devil, you better get to that show!
*Tab & Billy Joe Shaver wrote a song together.
(A little info. so Trig doesn’t kick my a**.)
((As If)). : D
October 27, 2023 @ 5:39 pm
Asheville, NC. Yes, I’m going. Tickets are only $30. They’re $49.50 for Grace Potter and I can’t see paying that for a club show. Besides, I KNOW Tab will put on a good show.
October 26, 2023 @ 4:06 pm
The man should be grateful for all this attention, as long as his name is spelled right, and here’s why:
The day people no longer talk about Luke Bryan, whether good or bad, is the day that people stop giving a damn about Luke Bryan. And that goes for all the other Bromeisters.
October 26, 2023 @ 10:35 pm
And he can take his millions, the satisfaction he was a good role model to his kids by demonstrating the character to raise his dead sistsr’s 3 kids, the fact he seems to have been a good husband and retire to live the good life somewhere in Georgia. I would bet you won’t be remembered by more people and have almost certainly accomplished less in life. Most of you in this comment section remind me of those times back in middle school when the cool kid would say something funny and the less cool and confident kids would like on to gain the approval of their hero. I thought all you Americana fans were the mature, intelligent folks that were above the average meathead music fan. You all sound like a bunch of immature middle schoolers. Go ahead, attack, demonstrate that maturity that makes you such intelligent consumers of music!
October 26, 2023 @ 10:56 pm
Did you listen to the segment I did on the podcast about this?
October 27, 2023 @ 6:46 am
Congrats Trigger. Perfect!
October 26, 2023 @ 4:13 pm
Whatever floats his boat.
October 26, 2023 @ 4:35 pm
It would be nice if someone such as Bryan would admit they recorded garbage music and just say I did it for the money. I don’t blame them I’d sing crap music too for that kind of money. If they actually ever enjoyed and liked country music they have ti know theirs isn’t it and isn’t good.
October 26, 2023 @ 5:13 pm
Way to go Trigger. Luke “Knockin’ Boots” Bryan has recorded some of the worst garbage over the past 15 years or so. The fact that he has personally gone after you is one of the reasons SCM is THE best country music website there is.
October 26, 2023 @ 6:11 pm
Luke Bryan’s music is objectively terrible. He should be embarrassed that the overwhelming bulk of his music is directly marketed to teen and 20 something girls.
October 26, 2023 @ 7:10 pm
I wish Luke Bryan would tell me to kiss his ass. Although I imagine it as Luke Bryan “raising the roof” while falling offstage and me laughing to death while choking to death on denim.
I understand (mostly from Trig, I guess) that Luke Bryan is a good dude, but he’s such a joke. He’s such a joke that Garth sends him a thank you card every day in appreciation.
October 26, 2023 @ 10:13 pm
It’s kind of funny that people call him a sell out, and make fun of him. He’s smart enough to figure out how to play the game and become a multimillionaire. I’d bet the house that all of you all making this claim would do the same thing if you even had enough talent to even get on a stage, strum 3 chords and sing a song anywhere near in tune. He’s man enough to raise his sister’s (who died) 3 kids. Sure, he took the bait of a few critics ( who have a job to do), but he’s a nice guy with some character. He’s certainly not a drunken loudmouth like a Isbell, an adulterer like your boy that’s the lead singer of the Turnpike Troubador’s, and many other Americans artists who percentage wise seem to be the biggest assholes in music. I love their music, it’s the best, but most of them are arrogant jerks that thumb their noses to anyone that doesn’t have their artsy way of life and who B take the practical route to make money to support their family and future generations of their family. You are hypocrites. You would sell out too, plus 99% of you have less talent than Luke Bryan. He’s done more for his kids, and his kids’ kids than you have done for yours. He’s been a great role model and demonstrated character by sacrificing his time, energy, etc. by raising 3 kids that aren’t his. He doesn’t trash other artists, etc. As they say, it’s easy to be a critic and throw stones at others. Go ahead now, throw some stones at me????
October 27, 2023 @ 6:18 am
tl/dr: “ur jus jellus”
October 27, 2023 @ 7:01 am
At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational explanation or argument as to why Luke Bryan doesn’t deserve criticism for his music. Not being an “asshole” doesn’t automatically make your music good, and vice versa. It’s pretty bold of you to assume with zero evidence that Luke Bryan has done more for his children than anyone else, plus it’s just disrespectful. He seems like a nice guy, and I have a tremendous amount of respect for him because of that, but I still fail to see how that, in any fathomable way, relates to criticism of him as an artist and performer. My plumber very well might be a stand-up guy, who adopted his deceased sister’s children, but if he does a terrible job fixing my toilet, I’m going to expect him to come back and do a better job, for free, or I’ll make sure to tell people to not hire him, regardless of how “great a guy” he is.
Your entire argument has the sophistication of a dying antelope getting violated by a seagull, but at least the seagull wouldn’t be obtuse enough to use a completely baseless “you have no talent” argument. We’re customers, we’re allowed to have opinions, and until Luke Bryan starts making good music, many customers opinions of him will be negative.
October 27, 2023 @ 10:56 am
: D And, Bibs is entitled to his/her opinion.
October 27, 2023 @ 2:06 pm
Hi Diana, I hope it’s not too much to ask but please direct to the part of my comment where I suggest… or even imply that “Bibs” isn’t entitled to his/her own opinions.
Have a great day!
Thanks,
Barry
October 27, 2023 @ 4:46 pm
: D Barry, was just yanking your chain.
Hope you are having a wonderful Friday evening!
Having a great time in Wheeling, W.V. of all places.
If Trig doesn’t mind if i throw a PSA in here,
HIGHLY recommend the Hampton Inn in Wheeling, W.V., if anyone is going to be in this area for a concert.
Great front desk staff. Incredibly clean, etc.
October 28, 2023 @ 10:04 am
Oh haha, I should’ve known, however, with the number of low IQ defences of Luke Bryan I’ve seen in these comments, I was a little on edge.
I’m sure Wheeling gets many more concerts than my area…
October 29, 2023 @ 4:48 pm
defenses, you British bastard.
October 30, 2023 @ 9:16 am
Oh, my. Did you just call someone named Barry O’Reilly British? 😉
October 30, 2023 @ 9:30 am
@Jack,
: D was thinking the same thing…
Brit, by the way of Killarney?
October 26, 2023 @ 10:45 pm
Hey Trig, you are appreciated. Keep doing whatcha doing.
October 27, 2023 @ 4:08 am
BWAHAHAHA!
You know the old saying about the eagle not concerning himself with the opinions of chickens? This is like the complete opposite of that. Well done, Trigger! Well done, indeed!
October 27, 2023 @ 5:49 am
If someone were to ask me what I think of Luke Bryan, I would honestly have a hard time answering. Like many, I think he has sent some of the worst songs I have heard to radio and also feel that some of his song content is creepy. On the other hand, I could find a handful of his songs I enjoy and also think (as Trigger has acknowledged and commenters have said) that he is a good person. I also think he has a few other positives that don’t get mentioned much. First, he seems very self aware of his strengths and weaknesses and that enabled him to maximize his strengths. He doesn’t have the demeanor, personality or upbringing or the talent to make the type of music most people on this site enjoy. He also has a strong work ethic – I’m sure he has played more shows in my area of the country than any other artist in the past 10 years.
October 27, 2023 @ 7:50 am
I’ll whoop the dog shit outta you vaughn..i mean luke
October 27, 2023 @ 12:23 pm
Someone please write a song titled the same as this article. Instant #1.
October 27, 2023 @ 3:25 pm
Ted Nugent had a song called “Kiss My Ass” almost 30 years ago (Same album “Fred Bear” was on).
October 27, 2023 @ 12:43 pm
literal neckbeard tells noted music enthusiast and nuanced critic to kiss his ass
only appropriate reply to on online threat is with an online response
“name the time and place, make me pucker up buttercup” then name a parking lot somewhere and offer to fight it out with him
October 27, 2023 @ 1:28 pm
You love an even bigger douchebag in Zach Bryan so what’s the difference? Zach Bryan’s acoustic pop garbage is just as far away from traditional country as Luke Bryan’s songs
October 27, 2023 @ 2:17 pm
I would have no clue who Luke Bryan (or Jason Aldean, or any number of similar acts) is if I wasn’t a regular reader of this website. I’m glad its benevolent dictator is finally getting recognized for all his invaluable public service. I still haven’t heard a single Luke Bryan song, but that’s not Trigger’s fault. Oops, strike that – it is.
October 27, 2023 @ 3:18 pm
Hahahahahahahahaha I was just remembering that time Luke Bryan was in the middle of that pathetic snakehip dance “move” of his and he fell off the stage. God, that was hilarious. Cheers LB. X
October 28, 2023 @ 9:00 am
You have to call it as you see it, or hear it. I love your honesty and humor, even if I disagree with your opinion, which I rarely do.
October 29, 2023 @ 8:55 am
Well I’m jealous!
October 29, 2023 @ 11:16 am
trevistrat,Ted Nugent’s IQ and my chest size are 46.
Luke had the misfortune of coming along when “bro-Country” was the rage,because he used his boyish good looks to literally record drunken frat boy songs as he approaced,then passes 40. Even “Knockin’ Boots,though I like the tune,is sort of “cowbro” Country. Hopefully,as he nears the big 5-0,Luke can resurrect his career with some new ideas .(I wanted to type “twists,” but 82-year-old Chubby Checker might read SCM,find out where I live and beat me up.)
October 30, 2023 @ 1:04 pm
Gotta hand it to Luke: getting rich for making crappy, unmemorable is quite a feat.
October 30, 2023 @ 4:10 pm
Sincerely proud for you. Also looking forward to the new single by Dan +Shay+Trig, feat. Morgan Isbell. Gonna heal the world.
November 9, 2023 @ 4:07 pm
You’re my hero for this and calling him “country music’s Gomer Pyle” is hilarious yet accurate.