Zac Brown

[@GradySmith]

This Zac Brown rebrand gives me some The Band Perry vibes. (And it made me want to defend country fans in the process.) Now, back to listening to the Cody Jinks record!

[@KelleyeTroup]

Cody is Real!! Check out Kendell Marvel's album that dropped today. He's the Writers Writer!

[@brettrose469]

Cody is our country music Jesus...

[@TheLoneDragoon]

Grady, please check out Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra?!?!

[@theeverything9768]

I think Zac Brown just filed a law suit against a member of One Direction.

[@kylegammons]

Grady Smith please make a vid on Randall king and Kolby Cooper

[@martymerc17]

It's like we're listening to his midlife crisis...

[@jtlovescodelyoko]

It Is

[@noahyoude7798]

He went full Chris Gaines. Never go full Chris Gaines

[@JD200_]

@@noahyoude7798🌴🌩️

[@federicofloris9196]

Lol Sam Hunt is more country than Zac Brown now

[@jt_schell]

Lol. We are truly in the end times

[@BennettParsons1]

Anything is more country than Zac Brown at this point lmao

[@shawnuel]

Even his bizarro world sibling, Kane Brown, is more country than Zac.

[@gabeguarin1096]

And Sam Hunt hasn't put out an album since 2014!

[@eddalton8530]

lol

[@WolfpackJT]

Perfectly said. I didn’t care that it “wasn’t country” I just care that it was bad music

[@johnd5931]

Exactly.

[@melturcotte8848]

Exactly! They are all amazing musicians, why go and do "computer music" when you got all that talent surrounding you! And his voice is...wow! I think that this new kind of music doesn't let us hear all he can do. It's real sad... They never only did country music. There were a lot of folk, rock and even Reggae. But it was still good music, good lyrics, we heard all the musicians and his voice was showing... Why hiding all the talent now?

[@somainevent1]

It feels like our girlfriend just talked us into a "mutual" break up and is now talking crap behind our back. We wanted the best for her, but it's getting harder and harder the more she opens her mouth.

[@GradySmith]

LOL

[@dontfallyoumighthurtyourse4694]

Dang thats a good analogy

[@somainevent1]

Idk.. made sense to me lol. It's like she talked you into it and made you feel ok with the decision. Like you had a say in it.. but now she just won't stop talking about it to anyone and everyone, and you're slowly realizing you never had a say/wanted to break up.

[@Supfoolification1]

LOL, thats awesome.

[@tomuchcamoflauge]

sounds like leann rimes ex husband

[@dragonkfg]

Everyone wasn't mad about the album, they were mad about the quality of the music on the album.

[@trollofjom7291]

Dragongaming-Kid friendly gaming soooo... they were mad with the album??😂

[@dragonkfg]

@@trollofjom7291 Lol

[@paisleepunk]

​@@trollofjom7291 a major aspect of it

[@shannonjonas7563]

Lol at the commerical at the beginning. I thought it was an ad for minute, but I remembered your t shirt tweets 😂

[@jacrispy5637]

Same 😂😂😂😂

[@fogoncleardays]

‘Colder Weather’ has now turned into a funeral dirge for what was once a great career 😢

[@papasquigg8427]

You say that as if his career isn't great anymore. So he doesn't want to be anchored down to only country music anymore. How is that so bad? He still puts out great music

[@davidjones3139]

Alex Snyder he doesn’t have to be anchored down but his music he’s putting out recently is HORRIBLE not even close to great. I don’t care what genre i just want good music

[@michaelhobgood2792]

I don't understand what they think they can't write or sing about in country music. There aren't many topics that are off limits. Between Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson and many others we've covered drug use, birth control, sex, murder, politics, social justice issues and incarceration among countless other topics. They would honestly have a hard time coming up with something that hasn't been covered 40 or 50 yrs ago.

[@jimland4359]

Right? I feel like we aren't asking for much. We want mature lyrics, with a stringed instrument focus. Past that I'm pretty open.

[@jakedaddio8909]

Exactly... one song that comes to mind is whiskey Lullaby. The songs about a double suicide and is a phenomenal song that tells a fantastic story

[@codyf8511]

@@jakedaddio8909 If you dig that, it's worth checking out Yuma by Justin Townes Earle.

[@fordman2698]

@@codyf8511 Lone Pine Hill is another good song by J T Earl.

[@davidrichardson6749]

They don't just want to sing about a naughty subject, they probably want to practically promote it and sing about how great and glamorous behaving in a shitty way can be. That is pop music's wheelhouse. Country fans wouldn't be so open to celebrating such demoralizing stuff. Talking about it sure, but not actively promoting it in the songs. So they move to pop where they can be a douchebag without consequences.

[@mrt77wv]

Phew, Swayze would be cringey for a teenage soundcloud rapper, let alone a well respected singer-songwriter.

[@jeremyheartriter2.063]

At this point my cow is more country than Zac Brown and I don't even have a cow.

[@gabingston3430]

How's it going I'm a cow (moooo), you drink milk from my t**s (moo). - Zac Brown on Earth by Lil Dicky

[@lindagoulder8934]

I like the part about not having a cow, Jeremy that is very funny and it made my day-thumbs up on this one.

[@jeremyheartriter2.063]

@@lindagoulder8934 🤣thank you and have a great day!

[@christmasebes8098]

It is unfortunate Zac Brown Band got me into country music but I haven’t really liked any of their newer songs. We all want the old school Zac Brown back.

[@mrwvtennis]

Zac is clearly going through sort of breakdown. This isn’t just bad music. This is atrocious childish subject material. And this comes from one of the best country artists we have has in hr past decade. It’s truly bizarre.

[@jangeltrain]

Drugs are a helluva drug.

[@brynmcdougald2418]

jangeltrain facts

[@johnindigo5477]

Reminds me of kid cudi. If you dont know his story basicly hes a rapper whose music is often about mental health, drug use, and sadness. Made a string of great albums between 2009 and 2013. Then had trouble with addiction and made "speeding bullet to heaven". An experimental rock album that critics hated. The 3 years later he came back with kanye to make "kids see ghosts". A great album about moving forward. He tried to experiment, didn't work out. Went to rehab. Then came back with a great release.

[@Milewski23]

Yo, Grady you’re becoming pretty popular in the country music industry. And not just within the fanbase, but also the singers themselves. Cody Jinks has the #1 album on iTunes rnow and tweeted the link to your video on him. It’s crazy how much you’ve grown this last year, and VERY much well deserved. Keep slaying, dawg, only a matter of time until we get big name interviews on the pod 👀

[@deebow_fat]

Zac Brown calling his solo album "The Controversy" is so cringe worthy. There is a huge difference between subverting expectations and completely alienating your audience. Look at Kacey Musgrave's last album. She melded genres without compromising her song writing, and she produced a fantastic album. Zac Brown is going after the low hanging fruit. If he wants to be a pop star, that's fine, but no teenager is going to listen to a 40 year old country singer rap and think it's cool.

[@RM-wg7wu]

Deebow I’m super late but..this 👆🏻

[@ElevatorHater]

It worked for Billy Ray Cyrus....... somehow

[@gabingston3430]

The lyrics to Swayze make Lil Pump look like Ludwig Von Beethoven by comparison.

[@austinveno6743]

Beethoven's lyrics weren't all that either.

[@gabingston3430]

@@austinveno6743 true, he wasn't much in the lyrical department, but his compositions were exquisite.

[@keatonwalkof4345]

I remember when I first heard Homegrown on the radio. I never really payed attention to country, it’s what my dad listened to in the car. I put homegrown in my playlist immediately, and fell in love with the genre. Zac Brown is what got me into country music, and seeing him piss away his career is disheartening. I wish he could make a few more sad records, like my old man, and make them country. Look at like combs for example, with his song “even though I’m leaving”. It has this double meaning and feeling of this little boy scared of the dark, and a man who lost his father, and is feeling lost. That song is a huge success, if only Zac Brown band would put out a country album with deep meaning, and even double meaning. Look at whiskey glasses by Morgan wallen. The song was a huge success, because it made people say “woah, that’s cool. I never thought about it like that.” Anyways that’s my take on this, but either way, I love your content Grady!

[@SuperScopeRawks]

I always felt most people just use country as a stepping stone to pop.

[@katieanne6137]

First comment: I agree with what you are saying completely. I wasn’t aware that he dropped this new album but just from that little snippet of “Swayze” I can’t think of any other explanation other than that Zac Brown is working through something and trying to find his way in a new world, a world without his wife. Thanks so much for the video!!

[@paulsmith9198]

Just set up an Amazon Alexa for my mom and told her she could say "Play "artist" music" to hear her favorite songs. Now, I'm waiting for the day she requests ZB and it transitions from Highway 20 Ride to Swayze. She'll unplug it and tell me its broken.

[@scorpionic3599]

It’s like he’s rebelling like a teenager as a 40 year old man lmao

[@ColtonBlumhagen]

Here's my new metric for if somebody's country or not: Would Alan Jackson do a duet with you? Zac brown of today: No way.

[@ashleymcgregor8074]

Colton Blumhagen funny thing! They have done a duet together. Back in 2010- “as you’re walking away” Great song. But in my wildest dreams I couldn’t see Alan doing a duet with the new Zac.

[@ColtonBlumhagen]

@@ashleymcgregor8074 Yeah that was the point I was getting at.

[@TunaGroyper]

Eric Churches Country Music Jesus makes lots of sense rn😂

[@tylermortonscrappycontent1791]

Shrek ‘ Somebody once told me the world is gonna roll me I ain't the sharpest tool in the shed She was looking kind of dumb with her finger and her thumb In the shape of an "L" on her forehead Well the years start coming and they don't stop coming Fed to the rules and I hit the ground running Didn't make sense not to live for fun Your brain gets smart but your head gets dumb So much to do, so much to see So what's wrong with taking the back streets? You'll never know if you don't go You'll never shine if you don't glow Hey now, you're an all-star, get your game on, go play Hey now, you're a rock star, get the show on, get paid And all that glitters is gold Only shooting stars break the mold It's a cool place and they say it gets colder You're bundled up now, wait till you get older But the meteor men beg to differ Judging by the hole in the satellite picture The ice we skate is getting pretty thin The water's getting warm so you might as well swim My world's on fire, how about yours? That's the way I like it and I never get bored Hey now, you're an all-star, get your game on, go play Hey now, you're a rock star, get the show on, get paid All that glitters is gold Only shooting stars break the mold Hey now, you're an all-star, get your game on, go play Hey now, you're a rock star, get the show, on get paid And all that glitters is gold Only shooting stars Somebody once asked could I spare some change for gas? I need to get myself away from this place I said yep what a concept I could use a little fuel myself And we could all use a little change Well, the years start coming and they don't stop coming Fed to the rules and I hit the ground running Didn't make sense not to live for fun Your brain gets smart but your head gets dumb So much to do, so much to see So what's wrong with taking the back streets? You'll never know if you don't go (go!) You'll never shine if you don't glow Hey now, you're an all-star, get your game on, go play Hey now, you're a rock star, get the show on, get paid And all that glitters is gold Only shooting stars break the mold And all that glitters is gold Only shooting stars break the mold

[@TheSweatyYeti]

It’s all Ogre now

[@brookskryshak1135]

“Look at taylor’s career” best thing I heard all day thank you

[@JebusMatoi]

yeah except Taylor was country for maybe two albums then went pop on Speak Now.

[@CJ-wz7wz]

@@JebusMatoi that's the point, she may have traversed to pop but she didn't went out crying and become a douchebag of person saying country is so constraining. She became pop but took her quality songwriting and storytelling with her and made something new but still never lost her roots.

[@somainevent1]

Another thing I personally feel is that after the hotel "incident" I had hoped for more meaningful and insightful music that proved it was an accident and that he was growing as a person, father, husband, etc. But this is the exact opposite.

[@gabrielhartzog4274]

With the rapid weight loss, the sudden divorce, and decline in music...its looking less like an incident sadly.

[@alicequinn8455]

You are correct when you mentioned the word DRUGS. He doesnt seem right in the head lately.

[@FloJoMoJo676]

Thank you for perfectly articulating what a lot of us fans have been thinking, Grady!

[@edrain3262]

Zac's been...SNORTIN WHISKEY & DRINKIN COCAINE by Pat Travers

[@aldophogasperi6528]

Hoot hoot toot toot

[@hackwilson1467]

Wacky Weed will kill brain cells

[@kristinat6421]

For the longest time I skipped Zac Brown’s music on the radio out of “this isn’t really country”. I opened my eyes and actually really started liking his more popular songs like “Sweet Annie”, “Goodbye in Her Eyes” and “As She’s Walking Away”. This is crazy hearing how he’s changed. Sad that it ended up this way

[@stevedapirate5]

You should do a collab with The Punk Rock MBA totally different genres but your themes are super similar and I would love to hear an hour-long conversation about music with you guys just to hear how the different perspectives.

[@wesanity3787]

You make a really interesting point about some artists within country music feeling tied down by their genre and wanting to express their artistic freedom viewing pop music as a sort of oasis. As a big fan of rock and alternative music myself, SO MANY artists in those genres fall into the same trap. They don't want to be categorized and "limited" by being rock or alternative, so they go pop only to either crash and burn or to unintentionally dilute what brings people to the genre in the first place. When I come to a genre that isn't mainstream pop music, I don't come in with the expectation that it be like mainstream pop music. I'm drawn to other forms of music because I've always felt like I couldn't relate to what mainstream pop values and celebrates, and these other forms of music tend to speak to me much more. I think it's really unfortunate that so many artists seem to view pop music as "the way forward in music," when they are so many other avenues they can take while not having to be tied down. I think somehow artists need to be encouraged and reminded that there are other pathways outside of just imitating pop music. If they want to make pop music specifically, then they should go for it, but for most artists it just ends up being a trap.

[@1001Guitarplayer]

I used to like his stuff. I get he doesn't want to just do country, that's fine. Problem is if your stuff is trash it's trash, and it's really sad. Y'all remember when Chicken Fried came out? Colder Weather? That was some great stuff.

[@lukemilam918]

Zac Brown going through a midlife crisis trying to figure out who he is

[@gabingston3430]

Maybe he should go on that Highway 20 Ride in some Colder Weather.

[@jacrispy5637]

@@gabingston3430 well said sir 😏😅

[@OlYables]

It’s repressed ego striking out.

[@stonedalligator2025]

Dude is acting like a teenage girl on her period. Very emotional.

[@truckercowboyed2638]

Maybe he needs to go sit his ass in the sand and have some chicken fried and cold beer on a Friday night.

[@bdvd]

So this is the same guy who called Luke Bryan's "That's My Kind of Night" the worse song ever made??

[@thevoicesaysimalmostoutofm5710]

And that song is one of my more recent favorites. He REALLY needs to get his hearing checked

[@joncerda351]

Zac Brown is now suing Ryan Tedder....man this guy is going through something.

[@kevinsmith205]

It’s hard to believe nobody heard swayze before it released and and didn’t cringe the way I did and try to talk him out of this

[@timothychristian1347]

Zac Brown has lost his way. It's truly sad he has gone down this path. As for me I can no longer listen to him. What is he going to do when Men treat his Daughters they way he sings about,

[@usc6770]

If Rick James was here , he say to Zac, "cocaine is a helluva drug"

[@chrispy841]

usc6770 then he would say "fuck yo couch charlie murphy"

[@andysorensen1737]

Chrispy841 CHARLIE MURPHY!

[@vince89503]

Grady , thank you . this is a great video , you really put it together well and touched on some serious issues that effect both pop and country genres. this video is pure big league music journalism.

[@licoreen]

Good analysis. Reminds me of when Whitney Houston went from being America’s sweetheart to a belligerent crackhead. The public realized that she had great talent but wasn’t the classy lassie we all thought she was in the 80’s and 90’s.

[@gabingston3430]

And then back to America's Sweetheart after she died. #RestInPeaceWhitneyHouston

[@jonathanmeyer3394]

I look at a band like Mumford and Sons and with their 3rd album Wilder Mind they drifted away from the folk sounds and instruments. I wasn't really happy they were changing their sound, but then, they put out good music and it didn't matter. It was all good.

[@brigh12]

My thought exactly! I was sad when they changed their sound but I got over it because I still love what they put out. ZB is not doing that :(

[@BRENNANSTECHBITE]

Your band perry pop analogy was perfect.

[@banmanfrank]

I was into zac brown for sometime, I remember finding a video of him at a truck stop parking lot playing gospel songs with some fans which thrilled the deepest parts of my soul!.. this grieves my heart and I pray he finds the comfort and healing through Jesus!

[@Abax77]

At the end of the day, Zac Brown Band is still one of the greatest live bands

[@STSGuitar16]

I totally agree, Grady, artists should be able to make whatever they feel moved to make, but this music is just shallow garbage. I really hope he can get past this cleary tough phase of his life and find his way again because I'm already looking forward to ZBB's triumphant return to quality music form (doesn't even have to be the same country style that they perfected) in the coming years.

[@jocelynwilson6500]

Well said Grady. I'll be honest, i've never been the biggest Zac brown fan, his songs are hit and miss for me. It is saddening though how he has seemed to have lost his way and doesn't know where to go

[@alicequinn8455]

It's okay Sam Hunt is back and is going to give us that pop album we turn up in our cars when were all alone and secretly know all the words. All of you want to deny it but he is catchy, has creative lyrics and everyone is still trying to be like him 🤣😂 At least he never wrote a song called Swayze either 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@retrobeast2745]

Alice Quinn keep telling yourself that

[@mikerivera373]

“He has creative lyrics” nah fam, it’s just that no one has ever been stupid enough to compare their girl’s body to a back road. Whenever he disappeared, I was really hoping he would stay gone. I guess he decided he wasn’t done shoving his desease-ridden dick into country radio though.

[@jonhudson6981]

Sam who?

[@Halcyon554]

Sturgill Simpson did that recently with "Sound & Fury" but like, that album didn't suck even if it wasn't a country album. It's a killer rock album that's rooted in hard rock with lots of deliciously 80s style synth in it. It's a killer record whether it's country or not. The Owl just...sucks. That's all there is to it.

[@Majid_Piano]

I love Zac, honestly i wish him the very best and i hope one day we see him making high quality country songs once again because he's that much thoughtful and talented.

[@ryanmorgan4748]

This is why I like Tyler Childers and some of the other independent folks. They don’t let genre define the kind of stories they tell.

[@cameronmcmillan1427]

This makes so much sense, I feel like you can analyze this well and put it into words better than anyone

[@mrwvtennis]

Grady, Wyatt Durette has been killing it with Combs. A few of the best ones Luke wrote with Wyatt.

[@GradySmith]

Yeah I saw he's been getting credits there. Good for him!!

[@mrwvtennis]

Grady Smith Beautiful Crazy and Even though I’m Leaving both sound like something Zac would have cut early on. I think your spot on about Wyatt’s influence.

[@CountryMusicReb]

It’s shocking how pathetic Zac Brown has made himself look

[@bradenmills5000]

Luke Bryan is now better than Zac Brown...

[@cubedmelons876]

That’s My Kind Of Night is better than Zac Brown’s recent music.

[@aaronberg186]

Was he saying “bitch” in that song?

[@valhallabownd]

Dude great look at all this, def felt similar. Really appreciate your analysis of what’s going on with our beloved ZBB. “Sad that it’s gone” - Exactly Sounds like he’s having a hard time excepting himself. Sub’d.

[@moniqueparamo7084]

Country is never limited it open for all subjects. Last night I watched Coal Miners Daughter. Loretta Lynn explored all of life's events and emotions that affect all people. This new generation of country artists needs to humbled and brought back to reality of life.

[@kjh6395]

Cody Johnson: I ain’t no Patrick Swayze Me: 🤠 Zac Brown: Bitch, I’m Patrick Swayze Me: 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@brendanmaynard2947]

This man has never reacted to upchurch and I’m amazed

[@CalebWayneMcCready]

Brendan Maynard he’s not worth reacting too.

[@Epok97]

Zac Brown straight up said , if you can’t beat em join em.

[@drakereuter90]

When Zac Brown did his two rock songs and his cast away album I actually really liked it, it brought diversity in the sound of his music but still had the same core that I love about Zac Brown but his new music definitely lacks that big time

[@eazonthru6988]

Saw him in Charlottesville. He barely performed. A songwriter on acoustic and a bluegrass family band did all of the heavy lifting. He mailed it in big time. I checked out on his music then.

[@denniscallahan6005]

Bravo Grady... Wyatt also write Beautiful Crazy which is 2x platinum @Luketakesover

[@edrain3262]

Luke has a song he wrote as a thank you to his parents not on the next album ..Grand Slam Dennis

[@denniscallahan6005]

Lose a Zac Gain a Luke ... praise the Lord

[@hackwilson1467]

Dennis what PRO is ZBB?

[@denniscallahan6005]

Great question BMG each band member has separate preforming right organization affiliation. Wyatt Durrette is with SESAC.

[@Schnot]

I think his weird hats are cutting off the circulation to his head. The new music is terrible.

[@Seohyunbias4]

Anybody know where that Kacey Musgraves not impressed reaction comes from? I love it lol

[@Peter24601]

Kudos to you Grady for resisting the temptation to rip the snap track used on at least one of his new songs. That took epic restraint...

[@Spitfirethedragon]

Lil Nas X and Blanco Brown sounds more country than Zac Brown Band.

[@KelleyeTroup]

Nailed it!

[@lukemaneely1058]

Your videos are great man!!! Keep it up @gradysmith

[@GradySmith]

YOU are great, Luke! Appreciate it!

[@AyyItzRob]

Zac Brown is a very caring and a really awesome guy to be around. I actually had the opportunity to meet him a few times in the past, and he is very devoted to what he does. I remember asking him about what influenced him to create the Jekyll + Hyde album, and he said that he and the band wanted to experiment with some of these different genres they listen to. And to my surprise, they are still covering genres, especially Pop. Guess you can call him Zac Malone now, lol.

[@anngrace5050]

Awesome video. Very much agree. Spot on.

[@emsmyers]

the beginning of this video cracked me up

[@jakebunjo6331]

It’s nice to see a critic with some perspective. I think for all the country purists out there who are upset at Zac’s new direction, you just gotta let me him go. At this point there’s been enough negativity spread around this situation. If the new stuff doesn’t float your boat, there is still a lot of great old ZBB that’s dead center country. New songs don’t change the old songs. I, like many, do hope he comes back to what made him and the band so good. But I also like some of the new stuff, and I will continue to listen to it. Love him or leave him, but yelling at him during a tough time of his life ain’t gonna do anyone any good.

[@sirum3n262]

Oh god that solo album was baaaaaad. Outside of “Time” which I unironically love so much!

[@amaranthisasin]

Bravo for addressing the shirt right up front man 😁

[@ianandersen2412]

amaranthisasin I didn’t expect to see my comment on there😂😂

[@skiddlybop8]

Grady, recording artists need not suffer about their success. I believe both the fans and even the labels are trying to facilitate making their sincerest creative expression the joy of life. This assumes that they got into the business not to experience a level of fame that would make them lose their minds, but in order to live with their music all day long, every day. That's why I started reviewing and eventually worked in A&R, successfully.

[@mimibelta259]

You should look in to some of Sugarlands music their a country band but they have songs that aren’t normally considered country based on sound

[@coltonpouch2653]

That thumbnail though...it's hilarious! On a second note, are you gonna dona video on the new Jinks album or wait for both of them to come out? Or just include it in an album round up?

[@GradySmith]

Once I hear both, I think Jinks deserves his own vid! He is becoming one of my favorite artists!

[@tomkennedymx]

love your channel - its actually made me kinda get back into country again :)

[@JonnyZye]

Spot on analysis.

[@nickhoeppel4200]

Still an absolute pillar of country music forever. That will never change and I will put money on it only getting better.

[@diplomatHM]

I hope this got sent to his publicist or someone on his team because they need to see that it’s genuine concern not baseless criticism

[@jonathanbills1238]

I like experimenting in music it creates interesting beats and songs

[@silverscorpio24]

"I'm not just a country artist." Okay, Taylor Swift

[@jimland4359]

@Grady, have you covered the Petersens? I found them about a month ago. It is a family bluegrass band out of Missouri. I'm not sure what it is about them, but I can't get enough.

[@erj1474]

the interviewer is like "the fuck you talking about swayze" lol

[@RedBearLvr]

I do not have an issue with either album. If he as a solo artist and he with the band wants to explore other styles of music, I'm down. He has that right. If you don't like it, don't listen, don't buy it. I for one am looking forward to seeing the band LIVE in Dallas at the end of the month.

[@isaace.2244]

I mean look at the country covers Post Malone did not too long ago - he branched out of his typical genre, but executed it really well, and it was really well received

[@gmoore6166]

Zac wrote some great songs and I miss that and don’t recognize this new guy which saddens me and I hope he comes back around.

[@Jason-wo5rr]

Country music is grounded in faith and when you leave the things that faith ground you in you become lost. Cash was best when he was singing his testimony. Zac is lost as a man. He was grounded by family as a husband and father and the gave insight into his music. Now it seems like he just wants to party and “why don’t people see how much deeper my music is now?” And “why don’t my fans respect my life choice?”

[@riverrat4631]

I hate to say ZBB was my favorite group 10yrs ago. I spent many hours listening to them on my Harley. It’s sad we have to see his midlife crisis come to life. Country music made them, why leave those fans? I understand wanting to explore other music. But remember when Garth Brooks tried to sing Pop/Rock? He went into hiding for 10-12yrs...

[@truckercowboyed2638]

So basically hes making a record using his alternative stage name Dr Jekyll?? Hes truly been a Jekyll and Hide character lately.

[@HCM1986]

TheTrucker Ed Show he’s been as asshole since day one. Right before ‘Chicken Fried’ hit the scene real big, ZBB played the Blindhorse in Greenville,SC and I witnessed him throwing a hissy fit that there wasn’t much turn out with the crowd. I also heard him make fun of the kind of crowd that was there. He thought everyone was beneath him. I’ve been around my fair share of artists and his behavior that night made lose respect for him. He’s always been a douchebag but he’s now letting everyone see him for what he is,... a Grade A asshole.

[@garrisonsmith753]

IMO and Ik I’m late on this, but to me country starts with writing the lyrics. But it seems it’s shifted to making a beat then adding lyrics to fit the best no matter how shallow. But like there are so many different sounding versions of certain country songs because the lyrics were written first then people added their own sounds to it.

[@janicewilliams6390]

You are a very compassionate man.

[@bagels377]

I heard that new Sam Hunt song everyone one the radio was talking about......Its just as bad as all of his other songs. Not surprised.

[@nathanhansen1846]

Seeing them next weekend

[@Sniper--se9hn]

Amen Grady

[@beautifulpigeon1315]

Agree on the thought about Sturgill. I can tell his new album is a good album and he hasn’t lost any fans (me including) im just not a big hard rock guy but I still have huge respect for the guy.

[@twostepcub]

Very very good and sympathetic clip. I mean, I can definitely agree with his thoughts about being pinned in a genre, not just musically, but financially, as iTunes/Spotify (as well as Billboard's "Song charts") demand one box to shove an artist/album into, segregating country from dance-pop from soul and the like. It's crazy, and it's wrong. Meanwhile, BEYOND that the music on the album, whether "stretching" the idea of genre or not, is just simply a bad listen. And SO many people have independently come to this conclusion speaks the truth to this. the ZBB, like the Band Perry, were giving the music audience such amazing quality of songs, something so distinct from the production line in country music, that simply throwing it away for the sake of assimilation is just as heartbreaking to the audience as much as the artist. I tried listening to both albums repeatedly and where there are sparks of what they are great at, this wasn't just bad it wasn't sincere. "Swayze" and 'God Gave Her" are just shit. Own it. And maybe now this is out of their system the quality will return.

[@jdd0815]

Ill fight it to the death. “Live Forever” was a good ass song. That was my workout anthem for like 6 months. 😂😂😂

[@spencercunningham6056]

I was juuuuust thinking, 'whatever happened to the Zac Brown Band?'... Well, now I know. 😶 Thanks! 😂

[@OutOfDarkness4U]

What you said about how country artists view pop music is exactly right! Country artist move to pop music and make shallow boring songs when there are plenty of pop artists who make serious and substantive music. There is also a huge set of shallow and boring county artist in the vein of Bro country and the mad lib approach to song writing. Whatever genre you want to make music in, make something good.