Ed Sheeran has commended Luke Combs for being named as one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2026 “while remaining loving and kind to those around him”.
The Perfect hitmaker wrote a short essay about the 36-year-old country music megastar to mark his incorporation into the annual list, and he praised the double CMA Entertainer of the Year winner for “scaling the highest heights of music”.
Ed wrote in Time: “As soon as I met Luke, I knew he was a good bloke, with talent just spilling out of him.
“Over the years, I’ve watched him move from album to album and tour to tour, constantly evolving – not just as an artist, but also as a human, and always for the better.
“He’s scaled the highest heights of music while remaining loving and kind to those around him. People might call that “normal,” but there’s nothing normal about what Luke has achieved.”
Ed also praised Luke’s “commitment to his family” amid his successful career, and he is looking forward to seeing what the star does next.
The 35-year-old singer-songwriter added: “He’s an incredible writer, singer, and performer. I love his commitment to his family and how that reflects in his music.
“My favorite album of his is Fathers + Sons – it’s a perfect snapshot for any parent of how life is in the moment.
“I’m looking forward to whatever is next, because really, it can be anything.”
Luke is one of several musicians who appear in the prestigious and coveted list.
Singer-songwriter Noah Kahan also features, and Grammy-winning musician Marcus Mumford has told why “so many” people have “connected” with the Stick Season hitmaker over the years.
Marcus wrote in Time: “Like the greats, Noah has modernized the concept of collaboration, creating partnerships in organic ways that few people can.
“Because it comes from his natural and outspoken love of other artists.
“He’s generous, he’s respectful without sycophancy, and he’s f***ing funny. There’s no gloss, and people love it.
“Noah is not the most glamorous person in the room. He’s the most honest. And that’s why so many of us have connected with him as an artist.”
Musicians Jennie, Hilary Duff, Coco Jones, and Rauw Alejandro also made the list.