Luke Combs’ Bar Will Showcase Songwriters
Luke Combs announced in January that he will be opening a Nashville bar on 2nd Avenue, dubbed Category 10. The name was inspired by Combs’ debut No. 1 hit, “Hurricane.” The bar is in the final stages of being built; the official Category 10 website says it will open sometime in 2024.
One reason the country star wanted to open his own bar was to spotlight songwriters in Music City and give them a chance to be heard.
Luke told us in a recent interview, “I think, to have opportunities as a songwriter to showcase your ability [is important]. I remember just being able to play for other songwriters was a huge thing for me, right? So I think having a very, very, very high-end songwriters night would be something that I would love, right?”
Having that place sure would have helped Combs when he first came to Nashville. “I wasn’t someone who was at a publisher for years and years. Nobody would give me a chance. I just kept going and playing every night until eventually someone was like, ‘I think this guy’s got something.’ So I think having a space where that can happen is of huge importance to me.”
RELATED: Father’s Day: 5 Dads In Country Music
The country star released his Fathers & Sons album a few weeks ago (6/14) and promoted the new project on CBS Mornings recently.
In talking about making it in Nashville, Luke told the network he knew what made his rise to fame in Nashville take a little longer than most. He said, “I think the thing that was most discouraging was I felt like at that time, ‘I’m not get passed over for my ability, I’m getting passed over because I don’t look the part.'”
The two-time Entertainer of the Year added, “That was frustrating, but I never let it bum me out because I was happy doing what I wanted to do.”
Combs also spoke about his identity as a singer, saying that he’s “really not very different” from his fanbase. He joked that he’s a “decently average-looking guy to below average-looking guy.”
He prides himself on not taking himself “too seriously.” He went on to say that as a kid, he was always singing and “constantly listening to music” and singing songs he heard on the radio.
