Luke Bryan Shuts Down CMA Fest 2019 With ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ Cover [WATCH]
Luke Bryan reveled in the fan interaction element of CMA Fest 2019, closing out the festivities on Sunday (June 9) with perhaps the largest "Livin' on a Prayer" sing-a-long not featuring Jon Bon Jovi or Richie Sambora. Readers can press play above to watch.
“I’m not going to be able to hit all those notes. You all are going to have to help me,” said Bryan before launching into his set-closing, festival-ending cover. By the song's end, Bryan let the audience do most of the singing -- a sign of a successful cover song choice by an arena-packing country act, and a reminder of the event formerly known as Fan Fair's true meaning.
Like Garth Brooks' high-octane favorites and Journey's karaoke standards, "Livin' on a Prayer," the international hit from Bon Jovi's 1986 album Slippery When Wet, defies generation gaps and genre preferences. From the sound of things, a bulk of the audience was primed to sing along as soon as they heard those familiar opening riffs.
Bon Jovi had their own country chart run back in 2007: Their Lost Highway album teamed them with duet partners LeAnn Rimes ("Till We Ain't Strangers Anymore") and Jennifer Nettles ("Who Says You Can't Go Home"), which hit No. 47 and No. 1, respectively, on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. The song "(You Want to) Make a Memory" also went Top 40.
As for Bryan, his time at CMA Fest 2019 previewed a busy summer itinerary. His Sunset Repeat Tour continues through the warmer months, and into the fall, and he's announced his 2019 Farm Tour as well.
LOOK: All the CMA Fest 2019, Day 4 Action