Alumnus Luke Bryan to perform at Super Bowl LI

Luke Bryan (’99), Georgia Southern alumnus and award-winning country music artist, has been selected to perform the national anthem at the 51st Super Bowl, making him the first male performer to sing the anthem in 10 years and the first country artist to perform it since 2010.

Now one of the most popular stars in country music, the Leesburg, Georgia, native was perfecting his talents in front of audiences in Statesboro establishments as a student at Georgia Southern. While pursuing a degree in business management, the Sigma Chi fraternity brother wrote music and played with his band on weekends.

Bryan has come a long way from his time in Statesboro and at Georgia Southern, where he also met his wife, Caroline Boyer. He has achieved numerous awards including Entertainer of the Year by the Country Music Association and twice by the Academy of Country Music. Since the release of his first hit single “All My Friends Say,” he has celebrated seven No. 1 singles, several platinum and gold singles and a platinum album for his newest record “Kill the Lights.” In 2014, he achieved the best touring year of his career with 1.7 million fans attending his concerts, and in early 2015, he played his first-ever shows in Europe.

Bryan is also known for his generosity, having provided proceeds to Georgia Southern for scholarships from his past Farm Tour stops in the Statesboro area. Most recently, he has announced he will team up with fellow Eagle Cole Swindell and Georgia-native Phillip Phillips to perform a benefit concert for those in South Georgia affected by the recent storms.

At Super Bowl LI on Feb. 5, Bryan will join the ranks of country performers like the Dixie Chicks, Carrie Underwood, Garth Brooks and Faith Hill who have all sung the national anthem at past Super Bowls.
Georgia Southern alumni and students are accomplishing amazing things! Don’t miss Luke Bryan’s performance on Sunday, Feb. 5 at 6:30 p.m.