Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Peyton Manning Spills His Love For Country Music

Peyton Manning Spills His Love For Country Music
by
  • Riley is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, known for her engaging storytelling and insightful coverage of the genre.
  • Before joining Country Thang Daily, Riley developed her expertise at Billboard and People magazine, focusing on feature stories and music reviews.
  • Riley has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Belmont University, with a minor in Cultural Studies.

Peyton Manning recently appeared on Apple Music Country radio show Bootleggers Radio with country music singer and songwriter Luke Combs. The former quarterback and two-time Super Bowl champion joined the show to chat about football, but more than that, his love for country music, the artists, and the lasting friendships he formed with them. He especially noted his love and appreciation for Eric Church, George Strait, and friend Kenny Chesney. 

During their talk, Manning recounted to Combs the story of how he fell in love with country music. Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Manning grew up with the songs of his parents’ playlist. He grooved to Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and many more. At that time, country music was not considered a staple. 

But when he went to college at the University of Tennessee, the songs of Elvis and The Beatles turned to George Strait, Eric Church, and more country music. 

He got hooked right away, and one of the first country music artists he listened to was George Strait. One of his most repeated songs of George Strait was ‘Amarillo by Morning.’ It was so good that he played it over and over again. He was also able to see and meet George Strait in concert in Knoxville at the Thompson-Boling Arena, and that was how their friendship started. 

As for Eric Church, it was his best friend Todd Helton who introduced him to his songs. A former Colorado Rockies first baseman, Helton always wore a number 17 with Church’s fan-favorite track ‘Springsteen’ as his walk-up song. 

Manning also shared that Eric Church was someone he has gotten to know the past few years. With stories of how Church started in the industry and ultimately the time and work he always spends on his craft made a lasting impression on him. And that was how his appreciation for Eric Church’s songs grew. 

He also noted how Eric Church was a great live performer. He had seen him and heard him at Red Rocks and at the Pepsi Center in Denver. 

Luke Combs was also known to have a big love and appreciation for Eric Church. During his appearance on Straight Up Steve Austin, he shared how it was a Church CD that inspired him and influenced his country music career. It was a guy from his college who told him about Eric Church, and when he checked him out, it was just like the fire caught a spark. 

You can check out Luke’s chat with Peyton Manning on Bootleggers Radio with Luke Combs Episode 8 available on Apple Music. 

Latest Stories

Beyoncé smiles despite controversy over her AMA country nominations that overlooked Cody Johnson and Miranda Lambert.

The 2025 AMAs Nominated Beyoncé for Country and Snubbed Cody Johnson and Miranda Lambert

The American Music Awards just did what too many award shows continue to do: propped up a pop superstar in the country categories while ignoring the very artists keeping the ...

The Highwaymen—Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson—pose together, smiling and relaxed, showcasing their legendary camaraderie in country music.

Why The Highwaymen Refused Alcohol on Tour and What They Drank Instead

The Highwaymen were four of country music’s roughest legends, each with enough scars to write ten albums. Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson made up the outlaw ...

Maren Morris and Taylor Swift pose together in glamorous outfits, symbolizing their connection as female artists navigating major shifts in and out of country music.

Maren Morris Turned to Taylor Swift and The Chicks for Advice on Leaving Country Music

If you’re gonna walk away from country music, you better know what you’re walking into. Maren Morris didn’t just pack up and go. Before she made the jump to pop ...

Phil Robertson and Miss Kay Robertson from Duck Dynasty hold hands and sit side-by-side in a care facility, reunited after months apart due to health concerns.

Duck Dynasty’s Uncle Phil and Miss Kay Robertson Are Back Together After Months Apart

Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson has officially reunited with his wife, Miss Kay, after months of being separated due to ongoing health issues—and the family says it’s been a major boost ...

Shania Twain, Keith Urban, and LeAnn Rimes are among the bold country artists who embraced vulnerability and body confidence in the spotlight.

7 Country Stars Who Stripped Down Without Regret

In a genre that still hides behind hymns and denim, these seven artists stripped down—and what they revealed wasn’t just skin. It was ownership, defiance, grief, and freedom—and country music ...

Carrie Underwood defends her decision during a heartfelt moment on American Idol, advocating for the show's first Easter faith special.

Carrie Underwood Fought for American Idol’s Easter Episode When Others Said It Was “Inappropriate”

For the first time in its 23-season history, American Idol aired a fully faith-based Easter special. It was bold and heartfelt—and according to a report from The Sun, it almost ...

Pope Francis smiles and waves in his traditional white robes during one of his final public appearances before his passing at age 88.

Pope Francis, the First Pope from the Americas, Dies at 88 After Easter Weekend

Just one day after delivering his final Easter address and meeting with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, Pope Francis, the first pope from the Americas and a defining spiritual voice ...

Jelly Roll cracks up alongside Luke Bryan and Jennifer Hudson while sharing a hilariously embarrassing onstage story on The Jennifer Hudson Show.

Jelly Roll Overshared on National TV Telling Jennifer Hudson He Once Pooped His Pants While Performing on Stage

There’s oversharing, and then there’s Jelly Roll on The Jennifer Hudson Show, telling a national audience he once trusted a fart onstage and paid the price. It happened on April ...

Luke Bryan delivers an emotional Easter performance of “Jesus' Bout My Kids” on American Idol, capturing the raw heart of a father’s prayer.

Luke Bryan Sang “Jesus’ Bout My Kids” on Easter and Brought Real Emotion to American Idol

Luke Bryan has spent the last seven seasons of American Idol being the jokester, the crowd-pleaser, the guy who hands out compliments with a grin and a wink. But on ...

Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake perform “Hard Fought Hallelujah” on American Idol’s “Songs of Faith” Easter special, bringing emotion and testimony to the stage.

Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake’s “Hard Fought Hallelujah” on Idol Felt Like a Personal Testimony

Easter Sunday on American Idol brought faith to the forefront, but when Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake took the stage to sing “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” it stopped being a TV ...