Luke Combs: Why His Family Has No Christmas Tree This Year

Luke Combs's wife, Nicole, took questions from fans on her Insta Stories as she often does, but this time, she videotaped her responses on her phone and shared them with fans.

One fan asked Nicole if the couple's 17-month-old son Tex was excited for Santa to come. In the clip, dressed in a black zip-up Nike sports jacket, Nicole said, "I know it's kind of crazy because they say kids his age don't really know about Santa, but he will see a Santa commercial on TV and be like, 'Santa.' And I'm like, 'What?' So yeah, I guess he's really excited about Santa and the reindeer."

She added the family home is missing one particular decoration, and it's a big one. She said, "We don't have a tree up this year because he's in his climbing stage, and it just... it's not gonna work. She then asked fans for tips for "children that are seventeen months and climbing everything. Let me know."

After winning Single of The Year at the CMA Awards last month (11/8) for his remake of the Tracy Chapman classic "Fast Car," Luke talked to us backstage.

I asked Combs if he ever thought he would win a CMA for a song he first heard in his dad's truck as a kid and loved since he was little. He told me, "Definitely not. I definitely had no idea that would be going on. It's insane, really, the journey. I remember sitting in my apartment, teaching myself to play guitar at 21 years old, spending just days and days trying to teach myself how to play that lick. I finally figured it out after about a month and a half or two months. I was so new at playing guitar, but I knew I wanted to play that song."

He continued, "I remember the first time I got it down, then I tried to sing while playing it, and I couldn't do it because it was so advanced for where I was as a guitar player. And then it took me a few more months to be able to sing it and play it at the same time. It's been a long journey; that song has been a huge part of my life for a long time. All credit to Tracy for writing one of the best songs ever written. It's insane to be holding this for sure."

Luke and Nicole Combs announced earlier this week that they welcomed their new baby on August 15. The couple posted a brief video to Instagram, "8.15.2023 - Beau Lee Combs. Welcome to the world. We couldn't love you more." The video was soundtracked by the Cory Asbury song "These Are The Days," which was released earlier this year. In the video, we see some baby gear -- a pacifier, an infant's hospital hat, and a  blanket. We also see a developing Polaroid picture with "Beau Combs" written on it.

The baby was due in September but arrived a bit early, while Luke Combs was on tour in Australia. Beau, of course, has an older brother, Tex who was born in June of 2022.

While taking fan questions on her Insta stories before the baby came, Nicole revealed that she would have their second child in a Nashville area hospital and not at home.

When one fan asked if she would have a home birth, Nicole replied, "Home births seem... lovely... but if anything goes wrong with me or the baby, you bet your ass I want to already be at the hospital instead of a 30-minute car ride away."

Another fan asked how she deals with Luke going on such long distances when he is touring. Nicole responded, "He's only gone two or three nights a week, so it's really not that bad at all." She added, "It's only tough when he goes overseas for a few weeks, but it could be much worse."

Combs will have at least a few weeks to spend home with his family, but he returns to the road on September 30 in Oslo, Norway. He remains on tour through October 20, when he wraps up at the O2 Arena in London, England.

As the couple enjoys their new addition to their growing family, we take a look at five things Luke said when he first became a dad to baby Tex in June of 2022.

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

He couldn't wait till his son Tex got older, and he could take him outdoors for some fun. - "I'm looking forward to pushing him in the swing, throwing the ball with the dog, going fishing. When they're that age, they don't care who I am. He loves me because I'm there for him. That's it, and I don't want to rush that either."

What he said when Tex was born in June of 2022 about being present for his son. Luke said in no way wants to be a dad that is not around. - "I won't be one of those dads that looks back and says, 'Man, I wish I would have been around more.'" His Gettin' Old album features "Take You With Me," a heartfelt song he wrote about fatherhood and a tribute to his son. The song's first verse sings, "Daddy, what's that mean? / That little turtle and the rabbit / He sat me in that seat / Showed me the wheel and how to grab it / He said, "I'll work the pedals' / If you climb up on my knee" / I'll take you with me."

Jason Kempin/Getty Images

On when he first became a dad when Tex was born in June of 2022 and how it made him feel. - "It just makes my whole day; it can make you feel instantly amazing and just seeing them in their little chair, bouncing around or whatever they are doing," Combs spent several weeks at home with his wife Nicole after Tex's birth before he headed back on the road for shows on weekends only.

Jason Kempin/Getty Images

On being home for both boys and taking the time to raise them along with his wife Nicole. "I don't want to be a dad that you see on TV and go, 'Oh, that is my dad, and that is where he is today, I guess.' Family is important to me. I'd like to be the guy throwing the football to them."

Jason Kempin/Getty Images

His own parents, Rhonda and Chester, are still married today and were both around when Luke grew up in North Carolina. - "My parents always used to tuck me in at night and make sure there wasn't a bogeyman behind the curtains." Combs was born in Huntersville, North Carolina, and his family moved to Asheville, North Carolina, when he was 8.