In modern country music, few artists embody reverence for tradition as completely as Luke Combs. While his own catalog dominates charts and stadiums, Combs has never hidden the source of his musical DNA. When asked which song best captures the soul of country music—one he believes no one could ever dislike—his answer is immediate and unwavering. For Combs, that song is Brand New Man by Brooks & Dunn.
“I feel this melody is the heartbeat of what country music is,” Combs has said—a statement that goes beyond admiration and into doctrine. To him, “Brand New Man” isn’t just a hit; it’s the blueprint.
The Gold Standard of 90s Country
Released in 1991 as the title track of Brooks & Dunn’s debut album, “Brand New Man” didn’t simply introduce a duo—it reset the energy of Nashville. Produced by Scott Hendricks and Don Cook, the song combined sharp storytelling with a driving honky-tonk rhythm that felt both rebellious and hopeful. It shot to No. 1 and helped ignite what many fans still consider the greatest era of mainstream country music.
For Combs, the magic lies in its simplicity. The hook is instant. The narrative—of a man transformed by love—is universal. And the momentum never lets go. He has repeatedly pointed to the song as proof that country music doesn’t need excess to be powerful; it needs truth, groove, and emotional clarity.
A Meeting of Generations
That belief came full circle in 2019, when Brooks & Dunn invited Combs to collaborate on Reboot. Designed by Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, the project paired the duo with artists they inspired. Combs didn’t hesitate in his song choice.
The result was not a nostalgia act, but a reaffirmation. Ronnie Dunn’s legendary vocal power—often considered one of the greatest voices in country history—met Combs’ modern rasp, creating a version that felt both classic and urgent. It revealed what Combs has long argued: great songwriting doesn’t age; it waits.
The 90s Revival, With Purpose
Combs has been vocal about his discomfort with what he calls “fake authenticity” in some modern pop-country crossovers. His commitment to songs like “Brand New Man” reflects a deeper philosophy—one rooted in the unfiltered emotional balance of suffering and joy that defined 90s country.
He often credits Brooks & Dunn classics such as Neon Moon as foundational to his own career. Without them, Combs has admitted, there may never have been room for his own hits like Hurricane or Beautiful Crazy.
An Enduring Heartbeat
By calling “Brand New Man” the heartbeat of country music, Luke Combs wasn’t exaggerating—he was honoring lineage. His collaboration with Brooks & Dunn proved that while generations change, the genre’s pulse does not. As long as songs like “Brand New Man” endure, country music’s heart keeps beating—loud, honest, and impossible to dislike.