LAFAYETTE, IN — Far from the bustle of highway traffic exists a simpler way of life. The type of life where a faded lawn chair shows its character with each singeing bonfire ember, every spilled drink and each late night. The type of life where rich melodies spill off the porch and become part of the evening air.
Those proud guitar twangs and rising chord progressions are a staple of country music across the Midwest. True-to-life lyrics backed by rustic vocals have settled into many cities across the region, including Lafayette.
It’s backgrounds like these where Luke Bryan, famous country singer and “American Idol” judge, will begin his 2026 Farm Tour this September. Over a three-day span, Bryan will play in Pennsylvania and Ohio — and will conclude his tour in Brookston, Indiana.
Yet Bryan won’t be the only star there looking to promote his music. Local country singer Ryan Tyler — stage name Tyler Truth — said he hopes to share the stage with Bryan and open for the concert.
Bryan started Farm Tour in 2009 as a means to “lift up the American farmer and to bring a big production concert into a small community,” according to Jessie Schmidt, the head of his public relations company.
The concert will be at Prairie View Farms in Brookston on Sept. 19 to coincide with the release of the artist’s ninth studio album, “Signs,” according to Schmidt.
During his annual farm tour, Bryan has partnered with Future Farmers of America and local food banks to support local communities and farms.
His recent work through Bayer’s, an international agricultural company, “Take Care, Now” campaign has provided more than 10 million meals to families across America, Schmidt said.
Tickets are available on Bryan’s website starting at $89 and parking passes at $27.For country fans looking for a less expensive show even closer to home, Lafayette will host its own country concert at the end of June.Tyler Truth, the local country musician, will headline “City Country Night” at a local music venue, Barn in the City, on June 26. The show begins at 8 p.m., and tickets can be purchased online starting at $10.
One ideal both artists share in their music is being connected with the people and livelihood they sing about.
“There’s a lot of people that really enjoy the music and the artist, but don’t always have the funding to make it out to the bigger shows,” Tyler said. “To have (Bryan) be willing to come into a smaller setting, and just bring the people to that location, is pretty huge.”
When asked about an opportunity to perform with Bryan, Tyler said he’d love the chance to open for a great artist, but he’d most enjoy being in front of the crowd.
“I always tell people, it’s like if you worked at a fast-food restaurant,” he said. “There’s the fry manager and a fry guy, you might want that manager’s job. But at the end of the day, you guys are both making fries.”
The Lafayette local said he is amazed at Bryan’s showmanship and passion for music, but “seeing him is not as exciting as performing for the crowd.”
Yet, Tyler’s motivation can’t be understood without knowing the background of the man beneath the cowboy hat.
Music has surrounded Tyler since he was young. Both parents worked in the music industry, and being around the jazz and funk movements of Chicago inspired 7-year-old Tyler to begin producing and writing his own music.
A decade later, the musician would move to Lafayette, where music was put on the back burner to grow a successful paint business. Tyler stepped away from his business only to pursue his passion for music.
Taking the leap of faith, and with small suggestion from a blind date, he adorned his signature cowboy hat and began his career in country music.
“For me it’s not about the money, it’s about the fan base, it’s about changing people’s lives,” Tyler said. “Music is just a universal language.”
The musician describes his style as “country with a kick,” a blend of family-friendly, traditional country music with other genres like pop, outlaw and hip-hop mixed in.
It seems the country fusion style has resonated for many across the region as Tyler has continued to grow as an artist over the past few years.
Once playing in local venues around Indiana, Tyler has ballooned in popularity, performing with larger stars like Jesse Howard, Yelawolf, Struggle Jennings and Marquis McClendon.
Although the artist doesn’t want fame to inflate his ego, putting the community first is a main priority for the future, he said, whether that’s hosting food drives or simply keeping tickets affordable.
“I love this town, and I want to do my best to improve this local music scene,” Tyler said. “It’s not about the money. It’s about the community, it always has been.”
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Luke Bryan and local star bring country music home
Reporting by Quint Holguin, Lafayette Journal & Courier / Lafayette Journal & Courier
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Quint Holguin, Lafayette Journal & Courier | USA TODAY Network
