Although writing songs as a teenager, Zach Bryan initially sought a different career when he signed up for the United States Navy at just 17. Spending seven years in the armed forces, Bryan left the military to seek a career in country music. Over the last few years, the country singer produced numerous hit songs like “Pink Skies” and “Something in the Orange.” And besides knowing how to fashion a great song, Bryan also loves connecting with his fans. Recently, the singer welcomed a fan from Tulsa to the stage to perform “Heading South.”
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While thousands of fans packed in the arena as Bryan walked out on stage, it can be hard to understand the pressure of performing in front of thousands. But night after night, Bryan seemed to find peace under the spotlight. And when performing in Oklahoma, the singer decided to bring one man to the stage to sing “Heading South” with him. And to the shock of some, the individual crushed the song.
Looking at what fans had to say, comments included, “One of the best country songs I’ve ever heard.” Another comment added, “Go south young man, go south.”
Zach Bryan Doesn’t Want To Be Just A Country Singer
Although embracing country music, Bryan admitted he wanted to be known for songwriting more than a country singer. Speaking with Bruce Springsteen, the singer insisted, “I don’t want to be a country musician. Everyone calls me it. I want to be a songwriter, and you’re quintessentially a songwriter. No one calls Bruce Springsteen – [I] hate to use your name in front of you — but no one calls Bruce Springsteen a freaking rock musician, which you are one, but you’re also an indie musician, you’re also a country musician. You’re all these things encapsulated in one man. And that’s what songwriting is.”
Considered Springsteen his hero, Bryan said he didn’t want to be placed in a certain lane. “That’s why you’re a hero to me, because no one’s ever come up to you and said you were in any sort of lane. When I first started making music, I told Stefan and Danny, my managers, I was like, ‘I want to be in a lane where, when people look back, they can listen to my music and it’s supremely whatever you were doing.’ You were the only person in my head that has ever done that.”
With Bryan continuing to shape his future in music, only time will tell where the singer ends up and what his legacy looks like.
(Photo by John Medina/Getty Images)
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