Inside Category 10’s “The Way I Am” Listening Party

  • By Lane Vaughn

On Tuesday, March 17, Luke Combs fans got an early listen to The Way I Am at Category 10.

A few days before, a group of Nashville-area Bootleggers got the kind of DM you don’t ignore—an invite off a social media contest that put them on the list for the exclusive album release party.

By 6 PM, The Still was already filling up. Some fans showed up in St. Patrick’s Day green, others in their usual Luke gear. People grabbed drinks, picked up souvenir posters of the new album artwork, and settled in overlooking the river while they waited for things to start.

Before the music kicked off, Luke’s manager, Chris Kappy, stepped up to give the room a little insight into what they were about to hear—sharing how this album reflects a new chapter in Luke’s life.

“Thank you for giving [Luke] the opportunity to be a dad first and a musician second,” he said. “We are excited that you guys are here, spending time with us, enjoying the music that you love. We will never, ever take that for granted. Thank you for being fans. Thank you for being Bootleggers.”

Luke also sent in a video message, thanking fans for coming out and asking them to share their favorite tracks once they’d had a chance to listen. Then, the album started to play.

Fans sang along to the songs they already knew, but when the first unreleased track, “Alcohol of Fame,” came on, the energy in the room shifted as the crowd leaned in and listened. Then the party picked up, with heads nodding, feet tapping, and a few people dancing along to the new tracks.

The title track, “The Way I Am,” got one of the biggest reactions of the night, and “Rethink Some Things”—which Luke first played live at Category 10’s opening—felt like a full-circle moment for anyone who’s been around since day one.

As the night came to a close, fans gathered for a group photo, not quite ready for it to be over. One of Luke’s team members thanked everyone for coming and said, “We can’t wait for this album to be yours on Friday.”

At Category 10, nights like this are what it’s all about; first listens, shared moments, and fans who know every word. Want to be part of the next one? Follow along on social and subscribe to the newsletter—that’s where the invites show up.

The Way I Am is out now. Give it a listen, then come see us at the Home of Luke Combs.

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