Luke Bryan and his family have been dealing with a lot over the last few years and now another tragedy has struck.
Luke Bryan’s brother-in-law, Ben Lee Cheshire, passed away on Saturday. Cheshire was married to Luke’s sister Kelly, who died in 2007.
Cheshire was still close to Luke and the family and had been raising the couple’s two children, who are now teenagers. Luke has also lost a brother, who was killed in a car accident 11 years before his sister passed away.
“Losing my brother changed me tremendously and losing Kelly, even more,” Bryan told People last year. “I literally do not take one second for granted.”
Condolences to @LukeBryanOnline and his family in their tragic loss: http://t.co/LmB40QJS2w pic.twitter.com/t31Jgl93ug
— Taste of Country (@TasteOfCountry) December 2, 2014
In spite of their losses, Luke’s family has remained strong in their faith. Luke said it is what has helped him get through the tragedies.
“Your faith has to get you through all that,” he said. “That’s not saying you don’t question it. But you just have to revert back to your faith in God’s plan, that you’ll be together again and that’s what you have to go on.”
TONIGHT at 8/7c! We're honoring @KeithUrban @LukeBryanOnline @mirandalambert @Jason_Aldean & @FlaGaLine on #CMTAOTY! pic.twitter.com/V2snYTngSC
— CMT (@CMT) December 2, 2014
Luke has canceled his appearance on the CMT Artists of the Year special that will air Tuesday evening.
CMT will still be honoring Luke during the special and are supportive of his decision to cancel.
Absolutely beautiful. We love you, @LukeBryanOnline and we're all thinking and praying for you. #CMTAOTY
— CMT (@CMT) December 3, 2014
“We are going to honor Luke in absentia and will recognize him in only the best way we know how – out of respect for him and his family,” a CMT rep said.
Other artists are also scheduled to perform during the special.