Zac Brown / Lead Vocals & Guitar
Jimmy De Martini / Violin, Vocals
John Driskell Hopkins / Bass, Vocals
Coy Bowles / Guitar, Organ
Clay Cook / Guitar, Organ, Mandolin, Pedal Steel, Vocals
Chris Fryar / Drums
Influences
A lot of fans have written in asking how they can be more involved with helping spread the word about the Zac Brown Band. We’ve set up a new street team system called the “Z Team” and YOU can be a member!
Visit www.zacbrownband.com and click on “Z Team” for all the information you need on how you can help the ZBB cause, whether you want to join the team or just help out here and there, all the details you need are there… Benefits of being on the street team (and actively promoting shows coming to your town) can include guest list privileges, special meet and greet with the band, etc…
Playing upwards of 200 dates a year, more than 3,000 shows in their career and selling more than 30,000 CDs independently, Zac Brown Band has only begun its ascent. The band's aggressive touring has helped it develop a fanatical grassroots following by winning over believers one person at a time. Driven by awe-inspiring musicianship, skillful songwriting and a dynamic live show that inspires word-of-mouth buzz, Zac Brown Band is already embraced by audiences who sing along with every word.
The Foundation was released on November 18th, 2008 on Atlantic Records and debuted at 17 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart and 3 on the Top Country Albums Chart. The first single “Chicken Fried” peaked at 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Chart and maintained that position for two weeks and also debuted as the second most downloaded country single on iTunes.
“It’s kind of crazy how we can go to a place where no one’s heard of us before and by the time we leave people are singing the songs,” bandleader Zac Brown says. “We’ve got a great following.” It’s not an easily pigeonholed crowd either; loyal country music fans, jam lovers and seemingly everyone in between are enjoying the shows. The Zac Brown Band has already landed support slots with artists such as Sugarland, ZZ Top, Travis Tritt, Etta James, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers Band, Willie Nelson and BB King.
Zac Brown gigged as a solo artist for several years with jaw-dropping flat-picking skills and an extensive catalog of originals, as well as an encyclopedic knowledge of popular songs. He formed the current incarnation of the Zac Brown Band four years ago. Members of the band include bassist John Hopkins, fiddler Jimmy De Martini and more recent additions of guitarist/organist Coy Bowles and drummer Chris Fryar. In January of 2009 multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Clay Cook joined the band; perhaps best known for his co-writes with Grammy-winner John Mayer, Cook rounds out the ZBB sound on guitar, vocals, organ, mandolin and pedal steel.
While one wall of the band’s rehearsal space sports a whiteboard chock full of upcoming coast-to-coast tour dates, the other is graffitied with hundreds of song titles—sharing space on a wall that also includes a Bob Marley banner and a framed portrait of Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings. “Everything has to do with the song,” Brown observes. “Every song is born and wants to go its own direction. When audiences hear a new song for the first time, if at the end of it they’re going crazy and cheering, you know you’ve pulled it off.”
As important as the songs are, the band is equally serious about its ability to perform, holding the virtuosity of a bluegrass outfit like Alison Krauss & Union Station as the standard for musicianship. “Everybody in my band is able to burn his instrument down to the ground,” Brown notes, matter-of-factly. “I’m blessed because the people I play with are just fantastic.”
Brown’s love for musical diversity is apparent from the first single, “Chicken Fried,” an utterly authentic take on his Georgia-bred existence during which audiences routinely are pressed into service to sing the choruses; “Toes,” which calls Jimmy Buffett to mind in its ode to beach life; and “Free,” which has turned into an audience anthem during recent tour stops.
And music only scratches the surface of what Zac Brown is all about. The Dahlonega, Ga.-raised husband and father is a chef and former restaurant owner renowned for his homemade special sauces and savory Southern cooking. Additionally, he's developing a charitable foundation to run a children’s camp (lending even more resonance to the album’s title). Despite all the irons in the fire, Brown nonetheless calls his foundation and camp plans his “life’s work.” “Having the camp and giving back is important for me,” he says. “I’m very blessed to have what I have, and I know a lot of that’s on credit for what I do down the road. It’s very important for me to keep that in mind. I want to leave something behind that does some good after I’m gone.”
But the Zac Brown Band is far from gone. And no one will be having a better time along the way. “We laugh all the time,” he observes. “You’re either sleeping or up laughing and having a good time. Or we’re playing music. It’s better than I could have dreamed of.” There are probably a few thousand—or hundred thousand—shows between now and the end of the line. And Brown is confident more will want to join the party.
Hey! We are huge Zac Brown Band fans! Love your music so much we played almost your whole album at our Wedding in September. I was planning on Suprising my husband and best friend with Tickets to your Nashville show on December 28th. They are both going to be 30 so its kind of a big day.We live in Louisville but were going to make the trip to come see you. I'm having trouble finding tickets at the original price on ticket master. It seems everyone has bought up all the tickets and selling them for like tripple the price or more either on Ebay or other websites. Is there anyway I can still get tickets for the ticket master price? I really want to take them but can't afford 4 tickets at the outrageous prices that people are selling them for. Please Help!!!! Amy
Hi Ya'll, Wishing everyone a God Blessed Holiday Season filled with joy and fun! I'll see you agian befor Christmas! Have an awesome weekend! All Peace & Love Lee
HA!! Jimmy Buffett passed you guys the Tiki torch!?!?! He is my FAV! You guys put on one of the most memorable concerts Ive ever been to (and Ive been to 100's) and now this with Jimmy... I LOVE IT!! I couldnt think of anyone better to receive the torch, congrats! Cant wait for you to come back to Columbus Ohio.
I came by your site today and I am very proud of your music and what you have done, I see a great singer and I wish you great success in your music career, and I enjoy your comments very much. Please have a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year. Thanks for your friendship it means a lot.
My friend asked me if I wanted to go to your concert with him in St. Louis Missouri on December 30th 2009 (My Birthday) and I accepted.. so I had to check you out because honestly I had never heard of your band.. man I am so excited.. you guys rock.. I love your music. I cannot wait to see you and I cannot wait for you to come out with another CD.
For my 28th birthday I get to see my new favorite band, too sweet!
Happy Holidays and here's hoping for a GREAT concert.
hey id just like to say to u guys were amazing last night and i appreciate the fact tht u came to play for us soldiers down in ft. hood and as well ty for the autographs last night as well i hope to see u guys play in the future again.
I'm a NEW fan about a 2 months now. I saw the video TOES and fell in love! I woke up to it one morning cuz I left the TV on all night. It reminds me of my old friends back home. It's funny how I just started listening to the band and then you guys pop up at my army base (Fort Hood). We'll I just wanted to thank you guys for coming, it was cool!!! I like the fact that you guys stayed after everyone left too(VERY COOL). It made my soldiers 16hr work day better(Set up /take down crew for the event). Some of them that couldn't watch or could only watch half your show, it gave them a chance to meet the band. I just missed you guys, but I'm just glad I got to see you guys play. Thanks again Dan