Zach Bryan’s Path to Country Stardom

Embracing Authenticity, and Redefining the Genre

Zach Bryan, the man, the legend, is changing how country music is done and we’re loving every bit of it. With remnants of traditional storytelling to a hint of individuality that is only Zach’s, the singer has won everyone’s hearts in a short period.

But how? Well, keep reading and find out about the rise of Bryan and other relevant details.

Early Life in Oklahoma

Born on April 2, 1996, in a quaint town in Okinawa Japan, Zach Bryan was born into a small family and has a sister, Mackenzie. Zach’s father at the time was serving in the U.S. Navy but the family later on moved to Ologha, Oklahoma.

His town has played a great role in Zach’s musical journey and this is often reflected in his songwriting. Zach’s songs are full of themes related to family, community, home, and personal struggle.

The Start of His Musical Journey

Growing up, Zach was surrounded by the sounds of legends like Merle Haggard, Jason Isbell, and Townes Van Zandt, explaining his love for music from an early age. During high school, Zach began to hone his guitar and lyricist skills, giving him a professional edge within a short span.

The likes of Sturgill Simpson and Jason Isabell shaped Zach’s sound. This was how he was inspired to showcase a more raw and honest storytelling vibe in his songs.

Service in the Navy

At the ripe age of 17, right after finishing high school, Zach Bryan decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and joined the U.S. Navy. Even though the job was pretty demanding, it allowed the singer to grow personally and creatively.

Important skills such as work ethic and discipline were garnered by Zach during his time in the Navy. After 8 years of service, he was honorably discharged to continue his journey as a singer.

The First Breakthrough

All those who knew Zach were well aware of the fact that the singer had a raw talent and an emotion in his voice like no other. And he proved everyone right with his debut album, “DeAnn,” released in August 2019.

The album was named after Zach Bryans’ late mother, who died in 2016. At the time, it was not backed by any labels or studios, which made it 10x more special and raw, leading to millions of people streaming it around the globe.

The Sounds of Zach Bryan

Everything about Zach’s songs is raw and unfiltered. The singer does a great job of mixing elements of country folk and Americana creating sounds that feel more polished and timeless.

Zach’s voice is described as something “soulful yet rough” which leads to a heavenly combination one can’t ignore. The storytelling traditions reflected in his songs are said to resonate with those of Johnny Cash and John Prime.

The DIY Approach

During the early stages of his singing journey, Zach Bryan did almost everything on his own preferring the DIY approach to songwriting and music production. Zach’s songs as a result were characterized by minimal instrumentation and rough edges.

His songs like “Hope Again”, and “The Good I’ll Do” were recorded in a way that they felt like personal confessions. This element leads to the singer and his songs having a strong relationship with the listeners.

Viral Hit

Even though all of Zach’s songs were always loved by his fans, one that specifically captured his attention was “Heading South.” After the song’s release in December 2020, it quickly went viral.

This paved the way for Zach to take the first steps towards solidifying his place as one of country music’s most exciting rising stars. The song was widely shared on Instagram and TikTok with fans loving the unfiltered lyrics.

The Growth of His Fan Base

Zach’s evolving songwriting skills and unique voice were seen in the release of his album, “Elisabeth” in 2020. One fun fact about this album is that Zach recorded it using his laptop in a barn behind his house.

Autotune and Zach Bryan haven’t met each other and this is exactly why fans loved this album and respect the singer. With the release of Elisabeth, Zach gained a new-found fan base, particularly through Spotify and YouTube.

Breakout Success

Zach Bryan’s highly anticipated album, “American Heartbreak” was a significant and noteworthy milestone in the career of this rising country music sensation. The album marked the beginning of a never-ending and flourishing success.

It was without a doubt, a turning point in Zach’s career, both critically and commercially. Tracks like “Heavy Eyes”, and “Mine Again” hit the right spot for fans all over the world.

“Something in the Orange” Becomes a Hit

Zach’s song “Something in the Orange,” became his most successful and widely recognized song, around the world. The track quickly gained popularity on mainstream platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.

The “orange” in the lyrics is a beautiful metaphor for the colors of a sunset, reminding everyone about the fleeting nature of time. Zach’s ability to transform a simple song into something deep didn’t go unnoticed among the fans.

Bryans Efforts to Combat Ticket Scalping

From his storytelling talents to the way he records his music, we know that Zach doesn’t play by the rules. The same goes for his concerts too.

For his 2023 Burn Burn Burn Tour, Zach partnered with AXS to make sure his tour tickets didn’t fall into the hands of scalpers. The tickets were priced within a budget-friendly range, which was affordable by the majority.

Mysterious Personal Life

The only information we get about Zach’s personal life is through his songs and whatever he shared online with his fans or in interviews. Other than that, Zach’s life is private with the singer retaining an air of mystery around him.

This has further attracted more fan base because the audience loves nothing more than a low-key handsome guy who only keeps to himself. His personality has for sure added more appeal and character to his songs.

A Man of Many Talents

You would be wrong to limit the famous singer’s talents to just singing, for his powers extend beyond music. He in a famous incident, helped the Oakland Athletics win a basketball game.

The Oakland left fielder was itching to finish the game so he could head across to Bryan’s concert that was going to take place across the street. Bryan took matters into his own hands and hit a two-run homer ending the game.

Bryans’ Independence From the Industry

Zach has made it clear through his actions that he likes keeping himself and his music away from the expectations of the country music industry.

His “I don’t care about fame” attitude has further led to a rise in respect for the singer among his fans. For Zach, music isn’t about being famous or scoring a celebrity status, and that’s what makes his songs more special.

For more information on this topic take a look at “ Zach Bryan Breaks Free from Country Label .”

Promising Future

The reason why Zach and his songs are being loved by everyone is because of their authentic nature. His songs don’t shy away from raw topics and this is exactly why he’ll continue to rise in the country music scene.

Zach Bryan is going to revive country music for the better and we’re here for it. Check out the “ Best Zach Bryan Songs (An Emotional Journey) .”