Country star Luke Combs apologizes for using Confederate flag in old videos: ‘There’s no excuse’

He’s singing a new tune.

County star Luke Combs apologized Wednesday for appearing with the Confederate flag earlier in his career.

“There’s no excuse for those images,” the 30-year-old North Carolina native said. “I am now aware of how painful that image can be to someone else.... I would never want to be associated with something that brings so much hurt to someone else.”

The “When It Rains It Pours” singer spoke about racism in country music with fellow country star Maren Morris and NPR music critic Ann Powers in a remote version of this year’s Country Radio Seminar.

Combs appeared in a 2015 music video in front of several Confederate flags and also had a Confederate sticker on his acoustic guitar.

“I’m here to say, ‘I’m trying to learn. I’m trying to get better,’” the multiplatinum artist told Morris and Powers. “I know that I’m a very highly visible member of the country music community right now. And I want to use that position for good.”

Morris was one of few high-profile country artists to call out chart-topping singer Morgan Wallen after he was caught on video using the N-word two weeks ago.

Wallen’s songs were dropped from many radio stations and his label suspended him, but fans rallied around the 27-year-old and his sales spiked.

“I appreciate those who still see something in me and have defended me. But for today, please don’t,” Wallen said in an apology last week. “I was wrong. It’s on me. I take full ownership for this and I fully accept any penalties I’m facing.”