Luke Bryan: ‘Idol’ Judge Shares Career Update at CMA Fest

Luke Bryan rarely sits still. After wrapping up “American Idol” Season 23, the country music singer-slash-judge turned his attention to his summer tour. However, as he shared backstage at CMA Fest 2025, that’s not all he has going on for the year. A reporter from The Tennessean asked Bryan what fans can expect from him for the rest of the year, and he shared an exciting career update.

“I’m actively writing songs,” the singer shared. Could this mean a new Bryan album in the future? The singer says that’s a definite possibility. “People always ask me, ‘Are you working on a new album?’ And I don’t think I’ve ever really stopped work on a new album,” he said. However, Bryan didn’t give any firm details about an expected release date. “[I’ll] get in the studio at some point and record some new music, and just keep doing the deal,” he said.

Closing Out CMA Fest is Nothing New for Bryan

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Closing out the annual CMA Fest is certainly an honor, and this isn’t the first time Bryan has found himself in that coveted position. As he shared with The Tennessean, he’s had the opportunity multiple times in recent years.

“For quite a few years now, I’ve kind of played the Sunday night closeout spot. So I’ve enjoyed that,” he said. “It’s crazy because life’s moving so fast…it’s been a year ago, but it felt like six months ago.” As The Tennessean reported, Bryan included some of his most beloved radio hits in this year’s set, including “What Makes You Country.”

His Most Recent Single is Climbing the Country Charts

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Bryan has a stunning 30 number-one hits to his credit as of summer 2025, and it appears he has another successful single on his hands. As he shared during his backstage interview, his latest single is on its way to the top of the charts. “‘Country Song Came On’ is kind of like, nearing the top ten right now, which I’m excited about,” he revealed.

The song originally hit the airwaves in October 2024 and has since lent its name to Bryan’s current tour. Around the time of the song’s release, the singer told Billboard that the track had universal support. “Through the years, I’ve had songs that I really believed in, that not everybody believed in, and they worked out,” he explained. “This one’s funny, because everybody’s really on the same page and excited to see it come out.” The song is certainly keeping fans satisfied while they await a future album release.