Luke Bryan Says Upbeat Performance Gets Thumbs Up From Supportive Wife: “She’s Never… Put Handcuffs On How I Perform”

Luke Bryan, the 47-year-old country music sensation, has been capturing hearts with his onstage charm for years. But it’s not just the audience that’s smitten – his wife Caroline is his biggest fan, cheering on his hip-shaking moves.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Luke spilled the beans on how his wife Caroline has been nothing but supportive of his lively performances. 

“If she would’ve shut down the hip-shaking, it would’ve been a little problematic,” he stated. “But she’s always had a fun outlook. She gets that people come see me to party and let loose. She’s never gotten in the way of that or put handcuffs on how I perform.”

The couple’s love story began when Luke met Caroline during their college days at Georgia Southern University. Their journey continued, and they tied the knot in 2006. With two sons, Tate and Bo, they’ve also stepped in to support their nieces and nephew – Jordan, Kris, and Tilden – after the tragic loss of Bryan’s sister Kelly and brother-in-law Lee.

Back in the early days, when Luke was chasing his dreams with an annual income of $15,000, Caroline played her part by contributing as a pharmaceutical sales rep. As they welcomed their children into the world, Caroline took on the role of being a stay-at-home mom while Luke’s career soared. “I was out on the road 300, 320 days a year,” he reflects. “Balancing family and career is always a juggling act. Sacrifices are plenty, and it’s crucial that everyone has each other’s backs and keeps the communication flowing.”

These days, the couple finds their joy in their bustling Nashville-area home. It’s a lively place, with family and friends frequently dropping by. Luke shares, “Our house is full of a lot of energy and a lot of people coming in and out and friends and family. My wife’s brother and his two young children are in the pool every day, learning to swim. My wife and I are always looking out the window going, ‘Whose vehicle is that driving through the farm’?”

Despite his commitments, like the ongoing Country On tour and the upcoming Farm Tour in September, Luke knows where his heart truly lies. “I love to make people smile,” he said. “That’s why I fell in love with music.”