Culture February 17, 2021

Luke Combs makes the 2021 'TIME100 Next' list, with a tribute penned by Garth Brooks

WATCH: Luke Combs releases song about coping with living through a pandemic

Luke Combs is representing country music on the 2021 TIME100 Next list, a roundup of 100 stars across industries who are "shaping the future."

In a short essay paying tribute to the "Does to Me" hitmaker, Garth Brooks praised Combs' work ethic and humble, grassroots approach to his success.

"In this age of self-promotion, Luke Combs is letting everybody else do the talking for him," Brooks writes. "If I could pull him over and tell him one thing, it would be to just keep doing what he's doing."

MORE: 'Better Together': Luke Combs crafts romantic trilogy of songs for wife

"Just follow that music," Brooks continued. "What resonates with him will resonate with the audience, with me, with everybody who's listening."

He also praised Combs' talent and versatility in his music.

"Everything Luke tries -- from Brooks & Dunn to classic country, neoclassic country and today's country -- he sounds very much at home," Brooks wrote. "He's a singer who you can tell is really comfortable."

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It's undeniable that Combs has accomplished extraordinary feats in country music over the past couple of years.

Last month, he reached the top of the country charts with "Better Together," marking his 10th consecutive No. 1 hit, the first time an artist has done that on the country chart.

Combs' 2019 sophomore album, "What You See Is What You Get," also recently achieved double Platinum RIAA certification.