Luke Combs has built a reputation that extends well beyond traditional country music audiences, thanks in part to high-profile covers and cross-genre collaborations.
His 2023 cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” introduced the country star to a wider audience and earned him Single of the Year at the CMA Awards. Combs has also collaborated with a number of artists from other genres, from Ed Sheeran to Alex Warren to Post Malone, helping to further expand his reach.
Given his crossover appeal, Combs is in a unique position to recommend a starting point for listeners who don’t typically gravitate toward country music. With that in mind, here’s the album Luke Combs thinks could make anyone a fan of country music.
Luke Combs Says ‘Chief’ Is the Perfect Starting Point for Non-Country Fans
In a clip shared by the Country Music Instagram account, Combs was asked if there was a go-to album he would recommend for someone who doesn’t listen to country music. He admitted that it was a tough choice, but ultimately selected the 2011 album “Chief” by Eric Church.
In reference to the album, Combs noted that it was “a very digestible first album” for non-country fans, as Church leans into rock influence. The country star went on to share that he thinks “Chief” was really the first solid album to “ride the razor edge” between country and rock.
He also praised Church’s early catalog more broadly, calling those albums “10 out of 10.” Church’s debut album, “Sinners Like Me,” dropped in July 2006. Based on Combs’s recommendations, it’s definitely another solid starting point for non-country fans to get started with.
Luke Combs Also Thinks Non-Country Fans Should Give Brooks & Dunn a Listen
In addition to his Eric Church recommendations, Luke Combs had a few others to share. The country star also gave Brooks & Dunn a shout-out, saying that the duo was a great option for people who have “never listened before.”
A legendary country music duo, Brooks & Dunn consists of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn. The duo started their career together in 1988. Together they’ve released 11 studio albums and recorded 20 songs that have made it to number one on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs. So, they’ve definitely got the chops when it comes to drawing in some new country fans.
In rounding out his recommendations, Combs also looked into the camera and joked, “Hey, give me a shot?!”
Combs is certainly no slouch in the country music world, having racked up his own collection of number-one singles. The country star dropped his sixth studio album on March 20, 2026. With that in mind, Combs himself might be the perfect starting point for non-country fans.
Country Music Fans Weigh in on Luke Combs’s Music Recommendations
Many country music fans agreed with Luke Combs’s initial recommendation, with one writing, “Chief is a great pick.”
However, others shared their own ideas for where new listeners should start. One commenter suggested Morgan Wallen as a strong entry point for pop fans, writing that Wallen’s “a good starting point for someone who only listens to pop music.”
Others suggested listening to more traditional country artists like Alan Jackson, with songs like “A Lot About Livin’” and “Good Time” dropped in the comments.
Still, others went completely old school with their recommendations. One fan dropped the thought, “There’s a lot of different ways to answer this question, but the reality is the first country album you should listen to is Hank Williams 40 Greatest Hits. It’s the building block for every piece of country music you hear today.”
Between Combs’s recommendation and fan favorites, there’s a clear path for anyone looking to give country music a real shot.
