Category Archives: Zac Brown Band

Zac Brown Band became stars in the late 2000s on the strength of the number one country hits “Chicken Fried” and “Toes,” songs that seemed like throwbacks to the country-rock of the ’70s. For a while, ZBB continued in that vein, scoring another breezy, beachy hit with “Knee Deep” and underscoring their ’70s singer/songwriter heritage with the warm, burnished ballad “Colder Weather,” but soon the group proved themselves to be a restless jam band, as eager to crank up the amps as they were to ride a supple groove. This sense of musical adventure led Zac Brown Band to cut both a 2014 EP with Foo Fighters rocker Dave Grohl and to dive deep into pop music on 2019’s The Owl, yet these creative instincts also helped the group cultivate a loyal following who were happy to roll with these changes.

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Zac Brown grew up in the Lake Lanier region in the north Georgia mountains. Raised in a blended family — he lived with his mother and his stepfather, who was a dentist — Brown was drawn to music at an early age, learning to play his mother’s guitar when he was eight. His taste was omnivorous, spanning pop, country, bluegrass and rock, influences that manifested in his original material. Brown started playing these songs along with selected covers at coffee houses while he was a teenager. While he attended the University of West Georgia, he played concerts with growing frequency.

Home Grown

By 2002, Brown formed the initial version of the Zac Brown Band, who played regularly throughout the south. He founded his own label, Southern Ground (it was originally called Home Grown) in 2003, and his entrepreneurial side didn’t stop there. The following year, he and his father opened Zac’s Place, a Lake Oconee restaurant that featured local music. It earned the attention of a developer, who bought the establishment; Brown channeled his proceeds into a tour bus and financing his first album, Home Grown, which appeared in 2004.

The Zac Brown Band continued to take shape over the course of 2004, with fiddle player/vocalist Jimmy De Martini joining a lineup that also featured drummer Marcus Petruska. Another member arrived in John Driskell Hopkins, a multi-instrumentalist who produced Home Grown; he joined the group as their bassist. Coy Bowles, a guitarist/pianist, became a permanent member of the Zac Brown Band in 2006, and not long afterward, the group signed to Live Nation Artists Records.

The Foundation

The Foundation, the major-label debut by Zac Brown Band, arrived in 2008. Live Nation Artists Records faltered not long after the release of The Foundation, but Atlantic picked up ZBB and their support helped its first single, the sun-kissed “Chicken Fried,” reach number one on Country Airplay, a feat matched by three other singles from the record: “Whatever It Is,” “Toes,” “Highway 20 Ride,” and “Free.” Additionally, “Whatever It Is” reached two on Country Airplay.

You Get What You Give

Shortly after the release of The Foundation, Petruska was replaced by Chris Fryar; multi-instrumentalist Clay Cook became a member not long afterward. This lineup recorded You Get What You Give, a 2010 album that debuted at number one on Billboard’s Top 200 and contained duets with two of Brown‘s idols: Alan Jackson sang on “As She’s Walking Away” and Jimmy Buffett on “Knee Deep,” both number one country hits. “Colder Weather” and the loose-limbed “Keep Me in Mind” also reached number one, with “No Hurry” peaking at number two.

Uncaged

Adding percussionist Daniel de los Reyes as a full-time member, Zac Brown Band began to expand their horizons in 2012 with Uncaged, playing music that couldn’t strictly be classified as country. As the album entered the Billboard charts at number one, the group still scored number one Country Airplay hits in “Goodbye in Her Eyes” and “Sweet Annie,” with “Jump Right In” going to two, but the album found ZBB exploring rock-oriented territory. The group underscored their rock debut by recording an EP with Dave Grohl, the former Nirvana drummer who later led the Foo Fighters. Aptly titled The Grohl Sessions, Vol. 1, the EP appeared in 2014, reaching 25 on the Billboard Top 200. By the time it was released, Zac Brown Band added bassist Matt Mangano, leaving John Driskell Hopkins to play a variety of instruments.

Jekyll + Hyde

In 2015, the Zac Brown Band signed a joint deal with Big Machine and Republic Records, releasing Jekyll + Hyde under this new contract. Featuring cameos by Chris Cornell, Sara Bareilles, and Jewel, Jekyll + Hyde debuted at number one on Billboard and produced three number one country hits: “Homegrown,” “Loving You Is Easy,” and “Beautiful Drug.”

Sir Rosevelt

Zac Brown continued his musical explorations in 2016 by forming a new dance-pop band called Sir Rosevelt. By the time the Sir Rosevelt album appeared in December 2017, Zac Brown Band had returned to their laid-back roots on 2017’s Welcome Home, an album produced by Dave Cobb. Released on Elektra, its first single, “My Old Man,” went to 14 on Country Airplay, with “Roots” peaking at 36.

Moving to BMG, the Zac Brown Band released The Owl in September 2019. Recorded with a variety of splashy big-budget producers, The Owl debuted at two upon its September 20, 2019 release. A week after The Owl appeared, Zac Brown surprised his fans with the release of The Controversy, his debut solo album; it was recorded with many of the same producers as The Owl.

Artist Biography by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Zac Brown Band New Album

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Okay all you Zac Brown Band fans, they have a new album expected out this fall. According to Billboard, the majority of Zac Brown Band’s second album is complete. Guitarist-Keyboardist Coy Bowles revealed some information about the new album. “I would say 85% of the album is already cut.” He went on further to say that the new album “steps in a direction of maturity without going over people’s heads. It’s been seasoned a little bit, its still the same wine, just couple years older and it tastes a little sweeter.” Personally, I am anxiously waiting the release of this new album and have no doubt it will be just as amazing as their first.Country Music Photo Gallery

Zac Brown Band: Pass the Jar

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Zac Brown Band to release live CD/DVD Combo, Pass the Jar, on May 4th. Zac Brown Band fans will be able to get a little taste of the group’s live show just in time for summer. This live DVD/2-CD set was recorded on Southern Ground/Atlantic at The Fox Theatre in Atlanta in October. The DVD will feature 18 performances with several guest appearances including Kid Rock, Little Big Town, and Joey & Rory. The CD will offer six additional songs as well as audio from the DVD.Country Music Photo Gallery

Zac Brown Band will headline the 2010 Moondance Jammin Country Fest

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Zac Brown Band called on to headline the 2010 Moondance Jammin Country Fest in Walker, MN Zac Brown Band has been tabbed as the closing night headliner for this year’s Moondance Jammin’ Country Fest, which will take place June 17-19, 2010 in Walker, Minnesota. Tickets are now available in a variety of packages. Concert goers can purchase Rockstar All Access, three-day V.I.P, three-day general admission and single day admission, as well as camping sites and parking passes by contacting the Jam office in Walker. At the festival, general admission tickets get you front row access-there is no VIP in-front seating in Walker. An official announcement concerning the entire festival line-up is due sometime later this month. Expect 15 bands to play the main stage over three days and many more side stage acts to be added in the coming months. Moondance Jammin’ Country Fest has been held at the same site as The Moondance Jam in Walker since 2007. This year marks the fourth year of the festival, which was started by resident Bill Bieloh. The events help bring thousands of music fans to the Walker area every summer. Situated on a large, beautiful piece of land near a huge lake located three hours northwest of Minneapolis, the site houses thousands of campers during the festivals, and has been cited by many as to why they return year after year to Walker for the shows.Country Music Photo Gallery

Zac Brown Dishes on Debt

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Kudos to Zac Brown for this tasty bit from a recent appearance on TrueCountryTV! [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO7br_NKuN0] Zac Brown talks about avoiding debt so you are more free to chase your dreams. Watch out softies, there’s a cuss word in there, but the message is goooood! For more, visit TrueCountryTV on YouTube!Country Music Photo Gallery

Zac Brown Band Benefit Show for Georgia Theater

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Zac Brown Band will perform a benefit concert in their hometown of Atlanta, GA on OCTOBER 30th at the Fox Theatre All proceeds from the show will go toward the rebuilding of the historic Georgia Theatre in Athens, which was destroyed in a fire earlier this year. The “movie-palace-turned-music-club” hosted performances in the past from bands like R.E.M., B-52s, Drive By Truckers and Widespread Panic. The Zac Brown Band will host and perform at the show, and additional performers will be announced soon. Tickets are $100 and will be available at www.ticketmaster.com. For more info, visit www.zacbrownband.com.Country Music Photo Gallery

Zac Brown Band 2009 Tour Dates

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Zac Brown Band has released their fall 2009 Breaking Southern Ground tour dates! The Zac Brown Band is hittin’ the road again for their fall 2009 Breaking Southern Ground tour, and I for one cannot WAIT until tickets go on sale of OKC! Here’s some more about ZBB’s tour from the band’s myspace: The tour will provide concert goers with the full Zac Brown Band experience: eat-and-greets featuring Zac cooking up his signature recipes for a few lucky fans in most markets, to performances by three up-and-coming Atlanta-based artists who have been signed by Zac Brown to his label Southern Ground Records: Sonia Leigh, Levi Lowrey and Nic Cowan. The shows will host various on-stage combinations of the musicians integrated throughout the event as Zac Brown Band will make appearances during each artist’s set and invite them to join the full band later in the night. “Obviously we’re always working on our music, but with this tour we’re building an experience that involves all senses,” says Zac Brown of the tour. “When people come to our show, we want them to smell the food cooking, taste our favorite recipes, watch the light show, listen to some great new artists and feel our excitement – a full five-sense experience.” Search for Zac Brown Band tickets on TicketMaster. Search for Zac Brown Band tickets on StubHub. 4-Sep-09 Duluth GA US Wild Bill’s (FREE SHOW) (Presented by Verizon Wireless Championship Racing) 17-Sep-09 Bloomington IL US US Cellular Coliseum (w/ Kenny Chesney) 18-Sep-09 Montgomery (FREE SHOW) AL US Riverwalk Amphitheatre (ESPN Basssmaster Elite Series Event) (FREE SHOW) 19-Sep-09 Indianapolis IN US Lucas Oil Stadium (w/ Kenny Chesney) 24-Sep-09 Cary NC US Koka Booth Amphitheatre at Regency Park 25-Sep-09 Simpsonville SC US Heritage Park Amphitheatre 26-Sep-09 Charlotte NC US Uptown Amphitheatre 27-Sep-09 Columbia MD US Merriweather Post Pavilion (WPOC Fall Fest) 2-Oct-09 Grand Prairie TX US Nokia Theatre 3-Oct-09 Austin TX US Austin City Limits Music Festival 4-Oct-09 Oklahoma City OK US Zoo Amphitheatre 9-Oct-09 Knoxville TN US World’s Fair Park 10-Oct-09 Charleston SC US Family Circle Magazine Stadium 11-Oct-09 Portsmouth VA US nTelos Wireless Pavilion 16-Oct-09 Boston MA US Agganis Arena 17-Oct-09 Camden NJ US Susquehanna Bank Center 24-Oct-09 New York NY US Terminal 5 31-Oct-09 Talladega AL US Talladega Superspeedway 12-Nov-09 Augusta GA US Bell Theatre (GTF Benefit) 15-Nov-09 St. Petersburg FL US Ribfest at Vinoy ParkCountry Music Photo Gallery

Zac Brown Band – Southern Ground Tour

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Zac Brown Band is Breaking Southern Ground this fall on a headlining tour! The Zac Brown Band is preparing for their first headlining gig, “The Breaking Southern Ground Tour.” So far the following tour stops have been announced: 9/24 – Cary, NC 9/25 – Simpsonville, SC 9/26 – Charlotte, NC 10/02 – Grand Prairie, TX 10/09 – Knoxville, TN 10/10 – Charleston, SC Stay tuned for further dates, stops, and Zac Brown Band news!Country Music Photo Gallery

Zac Brown Baby, Jamey Johnson Single, and Keith Urban on A&E

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Zac Brown is expecting a new baby, Jamey Johnson releases a new single, and Keith Urban gets a biography on A&E in today’s country music news weekend recap! CMT Hot Dish reports that Zac Brown of the Zac Brown Band is expecting again. This will be his third child and they’re hoping for a little boy since the older two are both girls. Jamey Johnson is following up his chart-topping hit “In Color” with a new single “High Cost of Living” which is set to release on February 9th. The single covers sensitive topics such as divorce, prostitutes and drugs, and is the second off his album “That Lonesome Song” Keith Urban is laying it all out for fans to see in an upcoming biography on A&E. The production is still in the filming stages and there doesn’t seem to be any official news from either Keith Urban’s team or A&E’s staff as to when it’s scheduled to air, but be sure that we’ll keep you posted when we find out!Country Music Photo Gallery