The world of social media is longing for 2016, and “American Idol” judge Luke Bryan hopped on the trend with his own throwback post. “Word on the street is… we’re throwing it back to 2016,” Bryan captioned an Instagram photo carousel. The cover photo shows the singer and his long-time wife, Caroline, striking a sweet pose together. In 2016, the pair would have been celebrating 10 years as a married couple.
In addition to the photo with his wife, Bryan included snaps from several major events in his walk down memory lane. Whether 2016 was really as idyllic as some people remember it is up for debate, but one thing is for sure: it was a big year for the country singer.
Luke Bryan Received a Big Honor in 2016
GettyIn 2016, Bryan was one of just a handful of artists honored as Artist of the Year at a CMT event, and he included a photo from the big night in his post. Coincidentally, fellow singer Carrie Underwood also appears in the fun throwback video. Here in 2026, the pair is gearing up for a second season together at the “American Idol” judges’ table. Bryan joined the series in 2018.
GettyAt the 50th annual CMA Awards, Bryan delivered a stellar performance of his hit song, “Move.” At the time, Billboard shared a video of the performance, featuring Bryan dancing and singing his heart out. He didn’t walk away a winner that night, but his Entertainer of the Year nomination was still a great follow-up to his 2015 win.
GettyBryan also performed at the 10th annual ACM Honors in 2016, lighting up the stage at the storied Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. As Music Row reported, this special anniversary year saw the event’s first-ever filming for a CBS special.
The Singer Still has Plenty to Celebrate in 2026
GettyTen years later, Bryan still has plenty to celebrate. After wrapping up a successful 2025 touring season, the singer kicked off January 2026 with “Crash My Playa.” The destination concert event got its start back in 2015, and its 11th anniversary went off without a hitch. “Ain’t no party like a Crash My Playa party,” Bryan wrote in a special thank-you post in honor of the event.
Next, Bryan will turn his attention to Season 24 of “American Idol,” which is just around the corner. The season kicks off on January 26, 2026, giving a whole new set of hopefuls the chance to achieve their dreams on live TV.
