Luke Combs recently spoke with Willie Geist for an upcoming episode of Sunday TODAY, set to air on February 1. PEOPLE has the exclusive first look at a clip from their conversation, in which Combs shared his insights about his unlikely journey to becoming a successful musician.
In this Sunday Sitdown interview, Combs reflected on his childhood and the moments that shaped his perspective on pursuing music as a career. He disclosed to Geist that he never truly considered singing a viable profession, despite his passion for it. “As crazy as that sounds, no,” Combs admitted when asked if he ever thought of performing professionally. He expressed regret for not recognizing his dream sooner, noting that he always loved to sing but didn’t connect that joy with a potential career.
Combs recounted how he viewed musicians as residing on a different plane, saying, “They live on ‘famous planet,’ and I’m on ‘not-famous planet.’” Growing up in a working-class family, he was encouraged to pursue his dreams, albeit within practical limits. “Chase your dreams within reason,” he added, humorously contemplating alternate paths like opening a restaurant or finding work in banking.
Despite his parents’ support for his singing talents, Combs indicated that there was skepticism about the feasibility of a music career. His father didn’t hold back on the reality check, remarking, “You’ll never be Garth Brooks,” a reminder of the rarity of achieving such fame in the music industry. Yet, Combs has exceeded those odds, rising to stardom with numerous chart-topping hits, Grammy nominations, and prestigious awards including Entertainer of the Year.
As he prepares to release his new album, The Way I Am, on March 20, Combs’s story serves as an inspiring reminder that dreams, no matter how distant they may seem, can indeed become reality through determination and passion. His journey reinforces the belief that sometimes the paths we envision for ourselves can be far narrower than what life ultimately has in store.