My apologies to Jameson Rodgers. I missed his opening set at last night’s Luke Combs’ “Beer Never Broke My Heart Tour” concert in London, Ont.

I think I had a good excuse. I was drinking champagne with Luke Combs…at Luke’s bar!

Backstage at Budweiser Gardens, champagne was poured in the Radio Room to celebrate Luke’s achievements. Honestly, the guy has more recent achievements than there was champagne.

Just a few days ago, Billboard magazine announced he had topped all five of their country charts (Hot Country Songs, Country Airplay, Country Streaming Songs, Country Digital Song Sales and Top Country Albums). Combs isn’t the first artist to do that: Kane Brown earned the distinction of being the first artist to do it back in October 2017. But Luke is the first person in history to do it for more than one week!

That achievement came just after the news last weekend he’s the winner of the ACM (Academy of Country Music) New Male Artist of the Year. Not only does he get the trophy at the awards show a week from this Sunday in Las Vegas, he’s performing with Brooks & Dunn on the show. I asked him if he’ll be doing “Brand New Man” with Kix & Ronnie and he said, “I don’t know. They haven’t told me yet. But I’m guessing I am.” The Brooks & Dunn collaborative album “Reboot” is due out next week, featuring special guests joining the duo on re-makes of a dozen of their songs.

It was also announced yesterday that Luke’s “Beer Never Broke My Heart Tour” has added more dates through the summer and fall. All of the spring shows are sold out, including last night’s show.

Luke also was nominated for a Grammy award earlier this year.

Last December he proposed to his girlfriend Nicole while the couple was in Hawaii. It was the second time he proposed and the second time she said yes. Combs explained Hawaii seemed like the right place to pop the question instead of in the kitchen, where he originally dropped the big ask.

And Luke’s current #1 single, “Beautiful Crazy,” also put him in the history books, making him the first artist in history to score five #1 hits in-a-row with his first five singles!

Add all that to his CMA (Country Music Association) win last November for New Artist of the Year and you have a truly remarkable list in just a very short time.

Also truly remarkable is that Luke turned 29 this month and admitted from the stage last night that he didn’t learn to play the guitar until he was 21. Country music’s new superstar is humbled by all this and more. Last night, he mentioned how much is on his shoulder’s now: about 60 people who are now making their livings thanks to him; having his name on merch; this, his first headlining tour; travelling around the world when he had never been on a plane before he turned 25.

That’s one reason for his success. His genuine humbleness at all this fame. And that is Luke Combs. Genuine. The real deal. Accepting his CMA award, he said, “God, I love country music.” He demonstrated it in concert with the way he introduced the members of his band. They did a cover of Hank Williams Jr.’s “All My Rowdy Friends (Are Coming Over Tonight)” with Luke introducing each musician.

I was amazed at just how powerful his vocals are live. They’re impressive on record but more so live.

No doubt timing is another reason Luke Combs is so successful. He came along at a time when country music, with its current sounds and influences, needed a big reminder of where it came from.

What I haven’t figured out yet is whether it’s a case of Luke Combs finding his audience or the audience finding him. My best guess is it’s probably both.

The tour plays Oshawa tonight and Kingston on Saturday.