Luke Bryan has truly earned his reputation as country music’s master of playful romantic songs. His 2014 chart-topping hit “Play It Again” perfectly showcases this talent—a catchy tune about a chance encounter at a tailgate party that blossoms into love at first sight. The song captures Bryan’s signature charm and that carefree spirit his fans adore. While it remains a staple at his live shows, one particular performance stands out above all others—an unexpected duet with country music powerhouse Carrie Underwood.
When Two Country Icons Shared the Stage
In May 2017, fans packed Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena for the kickoff of Luke Bryan’s “Huntin’, Fishin’ And Lovin’ Every Day Tour.” The atmosphere was already electric when Bryan began singing the opening lines of “Play It Again.” The crowd’s excitement reached fever pitch as he approached the end of the first verse with “She jumped up and cut me off”—at that moment, Bryan gestured across the stage, revealing none other than Carrie Underwood standing there.
The American Idol Season 4 winner joined seamlessly for the chorus, making her way toward Bryan as the audience erupted. In a delightful moment of country camaraderie, she handed him a yellow baseball cap, which Bryan immediately flipped backward in his classic style. The two Grammy-winning artists then faced each other, singing directly to one another with perfect vocal harmony that showcased why they’re both at the top of the country music world.
The spontaneous collaboration between these Nashville superstars created one of those magical concert moments fans still talk about years later—proof that sometimes the best performances happen when great artists come together unexpectedly.
It’s always a joy to see two major stars collaborating, rather than competing. “It doesn’t get any more perfect than Luke and Carrie,” commented a fan on a YouTube video of the performance. “My two favorite country artists.”
“The fans reaction, were like, that isn’t Carrie,” another user chimed in. “And then, Carrie started singing. Yes, it is Carrie.”
Several YouTube users wished the pair would officially record a duet version of the song. “I could listen to them 2 all day long for sure,” one fan said.
Fans Say Bryan Should Have Been a “Girl Dad”
Luke Bryan shares two teenage sons with wife Caroline. However, a sweet encounter with a young fan has many convinced that the five-time Entertainer of the Year missed his calling as a “girl dad.”
On Thursday (July 18) Bryan shared a Week 4 highlight from his Mind of a Country Boy Tour to his Instagram page. The “Knockin’ Boots” singer twirled a young girl around before leading her to the front of the stage and belting out Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline.” As it turns out, the little girl’s name was also Caroline.
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