Zach Bryan
Biography
Zachary Lane Bryan was born on April 2, 1996, in Okinawa, Japan, where his parents were stationed in the U.S. Navy. He was raised in the small town of Oologah, Oklahoma, after his family moved there when he was in the eighth grade. Coming from a family with a history of military service, Bryan enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17, continuing the tradition. He served for eight years as an Aviation Ordnanceman. During his time in the service, he began writing songs for his own enjoyment during his spare time.
Musical Beginnings and Breakthrough
While still on active duty, Bryan started uploading his music to YouTube in 2017, with friends recording his performances on an iPhone. His song "Heading South," filmed on his phone outside his Navy barracks, went viral and brought him widespread attention. In 2019, he released his debut album, "DeAnn," dedicated to his late mother who had passed away in 2016. This was followed by his second album, "Elisabeth," in 2020. The raw and authentic nature of his music, often described as a blend of alt-country, honky-tonk, and country rock, resonated with a growing audience. In 2021, Bryan was honorably discharged from the Navy to pursue his music career full-time after signing a deal with Warner Records.
Major Label Success
His major-label debut, the triple album "American Heartbreak," was released in May 2022 and peaked at number five on the Billboard 200. The album included the hit single "Something in the Orange," which became a top-ten single on the Billboard Hot 100. His fourth album, the self-titled "Zach Bryan" (2023), debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. Its lead single, "I Remember Everything," a duet with Kacey Musgraves, reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and earned him a Grammy Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. His fifth studio album, "The Great American Bar Scene," was released in 2024 and peaked at number two on the Billboard 200.
Discography Highlights
Studio Albums:
- DeAnn (2019)
- Elisabeth (2020)
- American Heartbreak (2022)
- Zach Bryan (2023)
- The Great American Bar Scene (2024)
Notable Singles:
- "Heading South"
- "Something in the Orange"
- "I Remember Everything" (featuring Kacey Musgraves)
- "Pink Skies"
Personal Life
Bryan was married to Rose Madden in July 2020, and they divorced in 2021. He has been open about his personal life influencing his songwriting. In 2023, fulfilling a promise made to his late mother, he completed a bachelor's degree in psychology.