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Luke Combs, politics and finding common ground through music

Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs

Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs perform onstage during the Grammy Awards on Feb. 4.

JC Olivera/WireImage
David L. Nevins
By David L. NevinsFeb 15, 2024
David L. Nevins
David L. Nevins serves as publisher of The Fulcrum. Additionally, Nevins serves as co-founder and Board Chairman of the Bridge Alliance. Nevins brings business acumen, vision and a tireless this-must-and-can-be-done zeal to the burgeoning movement to bridge divides to transform the political process. As a business leader, Nevins excels at building bridges between people and organizations from the right, left and center for civilized conversation and then action. He co-founded the Bridge Alliance because, as he says, “No matter how well managed and how well funded anyone organization is, significant political reform will not happen without an alliance to further collaborative interactions. Together we can and will raise the collective impact of all.” He is a member of the Aspen Institute Society of Fellows, with a focus on the Aspen Rodel Fellowship in Public Leadership, he established and continues to work with The Nevins Democracy Leaders program at Penn State University. Nevins graduated with honors in economics from Penn State in 1969 and received an M.B.A. in finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1971.
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Nevins is co-publisher of The Fulcrum and co-founder and board chairman of the Bridge Alliance Education Fund.

In November, I wrote a piece for The Fulcrum about Luke Combs and the healing power of his music.

At the time I was watching the 2023 Country Music Awards and was struck by a song near the end of the ceremony, “Love Can Build a Bridge” – recorded by The Judds and released in 1990.

Yet the lyrics are as powerful today as they were when they were written over 30 years ago. As I listened to the lyrics, I thought that it must be a song about bridging the divide that is separating our nation.

Love can build a bridge
Between your heart and mine
Love can build a bridge
Don't you think it's time?
Don't you think it's time?

I would whisper love so loudly
Every heart could understand
That love and only love
Can join the tribes of man
I would give my heart's desire
So that you might see
The first step is to realize
That it all begins with you and me

But I was wrong. I was quite surprised to discover the song, co-written by Naomi Judd, was dedicated to her family and fans as a goodbye – she was chronically ill with hepatitis C and forced to retire. While the song was not at all political, its message about the importance of always standing together is a lesson that our nation surely must learn.

The Country Music Awards audience was obviously moved as Jelly Roll and K. Michelle sang with power and obvious emotion, and I couldn’t help but think that country music could serve as a powerful force to bridge our divides.

And then on Feb. 4 I was struck once again by the healing power of Combs’ music. The 33-year-old white country singer joined Tracy Chapman, a 59-year-old gay and Black artist, at the Grammy Awards to sing “Fast Car,” her 1988 hit that won song of the year and returned to the top of the charts when Combs released his version last year.

Enjoy their “Fast Car” duet:

Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs Duetwww.youtube.com

Also enjoy Combs’ “The Great Divide”:

Luke Combs, Billy Strings - The Great Divide (Lyric Video)www.youtube.com

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