Zach Bryan

Zach Bryan Announces New Album Release for July 4th

Country music sensation Zach Bryan is set to make this Fourth of July even more special with the release of his highly anticipated studio album, The Great American Bar Scene. The album, which has been widely teased, will feature 17 tracks and a poem, and is scheduled to drop on Independence Day.

As a lead-up to the release, the 28-year-old singer has been offering select fans exclusive previews by sharing album snippets in 23 bars across the United States. In a social media post, Bryan explained that his goal is not only to give fans an early listen but also to foster a sense of community through these shared experiences.

“My intent with all this is to give everyone an early glimpse of this album, but more importantly, this is in the spirit of bringing people together for a memorable moment,” Bryan wrote.

The singer expressed immense pride in his upcoming project, calling it “the proudest I’ve ever been of a piece of work.” Two singles from the album, “Pink Skies” and “Purple Gas”—a duet with Canadian artist Noeline Hofmann—have already made waves, debuting in the top 20 of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart in June.

Who Is Zach Bryan?

Zach Bryan is a prominent country music singer and songwriter, best known for his hit singles “Something in the Orange” and “I Remember Everything,” the latter being a Grammy-winning duet with Kacey Musgraves. Bryan initially gained attention while serving in the U.S. Navy, where he began recording and sharing his music online during his free time. As his work garnered widespread acclaim, he received an honorable discharge to fully commit to his music career.

His major breakthrough came with the release of his first studio album, American Heartbreak (2022), followed by his 2023 self-titled album, both of which secured spots in the top five of the Billboard 200 chart. His 2023 album debuted at number one. In recognition of his rising success, the Academy of Country Music honored Bryan as the New Male Artist of the Year in 2022.

Where Is Zach Bryan From?

Zachary Lane Bryan, born on April 2, 1996, in Okinawa, Japan, comes from a family with deep military roots. His parents, Dewayne and Annette DeAnn Bryan, were stationed in Japan as part of their U.S. Navy deployment. Zach has one sibling, a sister named MacKenzie Taylor.

When Zach was about 12, his parents divorced, and he lived with his father, who gained full custody and eventually remarried. Despite the separation, Zach remained close to his mother, who struggled with alcohol abuse and passed away in 2016.

In eighth grade, Zach’s family relocated to Oologah, Oklahoma, near Tulsa. During his time at Oologah High School, Zach became involved in a variety of activities, including the wrestling team and serving as student council president. It was also during this time that he discovered his love for songwriting, often creating music with his friends. While Zach never anticipated a career as a musician, he felt a strong calling to storytelling through song.

Following his family tradition, Zach enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17, continuing the legacy of service upheld by his parents, grandfather, uncles, and great-grandfather.

U.S. Navy Service

After completing high school, Bryan enlisted in the U.S. Navy as an aviation ordnanceman, where he was responsible for the assembly, maintenance, and loading of weapons systems. During his service, Bryan was stationed in Washington and Florida, and completed tours of duty in Bahrain and Djibouti. Reflecting on his eight years in the Navy, he stated in 2021, “It’s all I lived, slept, and ate for eight years, it’s all I knew since I was basically a snot-nosed child. It made a man out of me, truly.”

In his spare time, Bryan explored his passion for music, recording songs and sharing clips online. In 2015, he began posting music, and by 2019, he had recorded his debut album DeAnn, named after his mother’s middle name, with the help of his Navy friends at an Airbnb in Florida. A year later, in 2020, he released his second album, Elisabeth, which featured his breakout single “Heading South.” The song’s accompanying video, filmed at his Navy barracks, garnered millions of views, establishing him as a rising artist in the country music scene.

Still an active serviceman at the time, Bryan made his debut performance at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, in April 2021. Later that year, in October, he announced he had received an honorable discharge from the Navy to fully pursue his music career.

Bryan credited his Navy gunner for supporting his decision to transition to music, recognizing his potential to reach a wide audience. “He looked at me one day and said, ‘Dude, you have to do this. If you don’t, millions of people who strive every day to do this are going to be disappointed that you wasted this chance,’” Bryan shared during an interview with Today’s Country Radio. Following his discharge, Bryan signed with Warner Records and embarked on his Ain’t for Tamin’ Tour in October 2021 as a full-time performer.

Music Career

In early 2022, Bryan released a series of singles in anticipation of his first major studio album, American Heartbreak. Among these was “Something in the Orange,” which became one of his most successful tracks to date. The song reached No. 1 on both the Hot Country Songs and Hot Rock & Alternative Songs charts, and spent an impressive 66 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 10.

An alternate version of the track was also featured on American Heartbreak. Released in May 2022, the 34-track triple album debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and set the year’s record for single-day streaming on Spotify and Apple Music, further establishing Bryan as a rising star. Despite the album’s widespread success, Bryan was notably absent from the 2022 CMA Awards nominations, a snub that disappointed fans. However, Bryan expressed no concern over the omission, stating on Twitter, “My pride is fine, and I appreciate all the love and support. I say it with every ounce of respect to other country artists. Establishments will always be weird.”

In contrast, the Academy of Country Music acknowledged his achievements, naming him the 2022 New Male Artist of the Year at its May 2023 ceremony. Riding this wave of momentum, Bryan released a self-titled and self-produced country-rock album in August 2023, which quickly soared to No. 1 on both the Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums charts. Its lead single, “I Remember Everything,” a duet with Kacey Musgraves, also debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

By the 2023 CMA Awards, the Country Music Association could no longer ignore Bryan’s success, nominating him for New Artist of the Year alongside Jelly Roll, Megan Moroney, Parker McCollum, and Hailey Whitters. Although he did not win, Bryan’s recognition continued to grow. In early 2024, he received three Grammy nominations, including Best Country Album and Best Country Song, as well as Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “I Remember Everything,” which secured him his first Grammy win in February 2024.

Despite his success in the country genre, Bryan remains clear about his artistic ambitions. In a 2022 interview with The New York Times, he emphasized his desire to avoid being pigeonholed, saying, “I think people understand that I’m not that. I want to be in that Springsteen, Kings of Leon, Ed Sheeran at-the-very-beginning space.”

In March 2024, Bryan embarked on the 10-month-long Quittin’ Time Tour, joined by fellow artists Jason Isbell and Sheryl Crow. During this period, he also announced the release of his next studio album, The Great American Bar Scene, set to drop on July 4, 2024.

Appearance on Yellowstone

Bryan’s music has been prominently featured in the acclaimed Paramount Network drama Yellowstone, starring Kevin Costner. The series has significantly contributed to the rising popularity of several artists, including Bryan, alongside acts like Whiskey Myers, Flatland Cavalry, and Lainey Wilson.

Bryan’s single “Condemned” made its debut on Yellowstone during Season 3 in 2020, followed by other tracks such as “Whiskey Fever,” “Flying or Crying,” and “The Good I’ll Do,” which were also included in the show’s soundtrack. In December 2022, Bryan made a special appearance in an episode of the show’s fifth season, performing three songs—”Motorcycle Drive By,” “Quittin’ Time,” and “Summertime Blues” from his Summertime Blues EP—at a county fair. Reflecting on the experience, Bryan expressed his gratitude, saying, “Humbled and honored and don’t know what I did to deserve it.”

Controversies and Arrest

Bryan, known for his preference for privacy and infrequent public appearances, has not shied away from engaging with current political issues. Describing himself as a “total libertarian,” Bryan has used his platform to express his views on various matters.

In April 2023, Bryan publicly criticized fellow country artist Travis Tritt for endorsing a boycott of Anheuser-Busch following its inclusion of transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney in an advertising campaign. Bryan condemned Tritt’s stance, emphasizing the importance of respecting transgender individuals. He referenced his own family’s experiences with transitioning, highlighting his personal stake in the issue. Subsequent to their public exchange, Bryan and Tritt met to resolve their differences and agreed to maintain amicable relations.

Additionally, Bryan has voiced concerns regarding ticket pricing, particularly criticizing Ticketmaster for exorbitant fees. In December 2022, he expressed frustration over high ticket costs, revealing that some fans had paid as much as $400 to attend his shows. Bryan committed to reducing ticket prices for a limited number of performances in the following year. However, by September 2023, he resumed using all ticketing platforms, including Ticketmaster.

Bryan’s public image faced further scrutiny in September 2023 when he was arrested in Oklahoma for obstructing a police officer. The incident occurred after Bryan’s private security team was pulled over for speeding. Bryan exited his vehicle to engage with the officer and was subsequently charged with failing to comply with instructions. He was released on bond and later apologized publicly, acknowledging that his actions were inappropriate and expressing his respect for legal authority. According to the Associated Press, no formal charges were filed in connection with the incident.

Current Relationship and Previous Marriages of Bryan

Bryan, who is divorced, is currently in a relationship with Brianna LaPaglia, known publicly as Brianna Chickenfry from Barstool Sports. The couple met at the ACM Awards in May 2023, and their relationship was confirmed in July 2023 when LaPaglia appeared with Bryan on stage during a New York City concert. In a July 2023 episode of her PlanBri Uncut podcast, LaPaglia shared, “We’re just hanging out, having fun. We’ll see where it goes, and I’m happy.”

In May 2024, LaPaglia disclosed that Bryan and she experienced minor injuries in an off-road vehicle accident, with Bryan requiring stitches from paramedics at the scene.

Bryan’s previous marriage was to Rose Madden, whom he met during his military service, as reported by Page Six. They were married from July 2020 to July 2021. Details about Madden, including her military rank, are scarce. It is speculated, though not publicly confirmed by Bryan, that his album Elisabeth was named in her honor. Madden’s full name is Elisabeth Rose Madden.

From January 2022 to May 2023, Bryan was in a relationship with Deb Peifer, an education program coordinator from Philadelphia. During their relationship, the couple was involved in a motorcycle accident in the summer of 2022, where Bryan sustained a gash to his right arm and other minor injuries, while Peifer was mostly unharmed. The relationship ended amicably, with Bryan expressing his desire for privacy in a Twitter post: “Things are mutual between us; we’re leaving with plenty of memories and good times. I beg so much that everyone respects her and my privacy through this hard time.”

Quotes

On Songwriting: “Songwriting is integral to the process. If you neglect it, you’re merely performing—essentially, you’re acting.”

On Song Creation: “I do not have elaborate explanations or intricate plans behind these songs. I simply composed poems and songs that I believe are special and wish to share. There is no extensive marketing strategy; I just wanted to present these works as they are.”

On the Writing Process: “I find the concept of sitting down specifically to write somewhat alien. Instead, I live life fully through experiences such as family, kindness, adventure, and heartbreak. This, although it might sound unusual, is why I write: to gain a deeper understanding of life.”

On Becoming a Musician: “I never envisioned myself as a musician. Reflecting on my current reality, such as returning to Oklahoma and interacting with people who ask for photographs, feels surreal. It’s a reality I never anticipated.”

On Life and Creativity: “I align with the perspective of Kerouac, embracing the notion that life is inherently reckless and should be lived passionately. Life is transient and often culminates in struggle, so one should fully engage in whatever they pursue.”