my drama teacher was robbie davis. when he heard my voice, he was like, you're trying out tomorrow for my one-act play. i'm like, man, i don't think that's my thing. he said i don't care if it's your thing or not, i'll see you after school. >> but the 45-year-old's road from that stage to the ones he now plays at sold-out stadiums across the country has been marked by milestones of personal tragedy. >> you won't know it, but i do. >> luke was 20 years old and headed to nashville the very next morning when his world suddenly stopped one night in the fall of 1996. his older brother, chris, luke's best friend and biggest fan, was killed in a car accident. >> when chris passed away, it was devastating because no one was more fired up about me going to nashville than him. >> luke stayed home with his grieving family, went to college, and settled in to life in leesburg, working for his father. but one day luke's dad told him it was time to take his guitar and leave. >> i remember the color of the sky the day we were riding i