Luke Combs Apologizes for Breaking Down in Tears While Performing at Newport Folk Festival

While expanding his grasp on country music, Luke Combs also expanded his family when his wife, Nicole Hocking, welcomed their two sons into the world. Becoming a father drastically changed the singer’s outlook on both his own life and career. Just last year, Combs channeled those feelings into his latest album, Fathers & Sons. Turning that fatherly love into a passion project, the album consisted of songs like “The Man He Sees in Me” and “In Case I Ain’t Around.” Recently, while performing at the Newport Folk Festival, the country star struggled to get through “Whoever You Turn Out To Be.” 

Having shared his thoughts on fatherhood over the last year, it was easy to see how much Combs loved being a dad. But at the same time, the singer wrestled with both the past and future. Wanting to be the best father he could be for his sons, Combs even took a short break to spend more time at home. Eventually making his way back to the stage, the singer apologized for needing to pause to gather himself. “Sorry. That got me a little bit.” 

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“But you ain’t gotta change the world to make your daddy proud” 💙😭 @Luke Combs @Newport Folk Fest

♬ Whoever You Turn Out to Be – Luke Combs

Besides Combs not needing to apologize, fans in attendance showered him with love as they cheered. He added, “I remember why we don’t play that one very much… I apologize. I don’t apologize, because I was in the moment there…”

[RELATED: Luke Combs Gets “Back in the Saddle” With a Little Help From Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Luke Combs Calls ‘Fathers & Sons’ A “Selfish Endeavor”

With Combs not afraid to share his thoughts and emotions on being a father, fans commented on the touching moment. “The reason his music is so good – he feels all that he sings the same way.” Another person added, “What a true man! So good to see him being upset as his family means so much to him! Showing pure emotion!”

Although fans loved the newest album from Combs, helping it land at No. 2 on the US Top Country Albums chart, the singer insisted it was one of his most selfish projects. Speaking with People about the album, he said, “It was probably more of a selfish endeavor for me. It was something that I felt like I wanted to do and something that I wanted to say.”

While considering the project selfish, Combs noted how much he loved what he produced, no matter the outcome. “It’s my favorite thing that I’ve done because it’s so personal to me. But commercially, it’s easily my least successful album that I’ve had.”

(Photo by Douglas Mason/Getty Images)