HotStar: Luke Bryan

Luke Bryan is going to have a breakout year in 2011. But don’t just take our word for it – that prediction comes from Brian O’Connell, Live Nation’s chief of country touring.

Jay Williams, Bryan’s agent at WME Entertainment, said, “He’s ready to step out and do 2,000 to 3,000 seats on his own next year.” Williams – who also reps Dierks Bentley and Eric Church among others – made clear options for 2011 are still being weighed.

And he left the door open for the independent promoters – especially those who have supported Bryan these past years. Headlining or supporting an arena act in ’11 comes down to timing Bryan’s next album – which he’s currently writing.

“Earlier this year I saw [Bryan] play to close to 7,000 people in Memphis at a radio show where he was the headliner,” Williams said. “But they were his fans; they knew every word to every one of his songs.”

Luke Bryan is hitting the fair circuit through Sept. 13 and traveling with Jason Aldean until mid-November.

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ACM Award’s Top New Solo Vocalist and Top New Artist

Has two No. 1 singles in “Do I” (co-written with two-thirds of Lady Antebellum) and, at press time, “Rain Is A Good Thing.” Co-wrote Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions.”