Zach Bryan Doesn’t Want To Be A Country Musician

Zach Bryan is more “country” than a lot of modern pop country. His songs are raw, target emotions, aren’t afraid to be sad or filled with pain and tragedy, and often xome from the the perspective of someone who grew up in the American South (in his case, Oklahoma.) But don’t tell Zach he’s “a country artist.” Or any genre. He hates labels. Zach recently sat down for an interview with his idol, Bruce Springsteen, where they took turns asking each other questions about their careers. At one point, Zach says he doesn’t consider himself a “country” musician. Or belonging to any particular genre. He’s a songwriter above all else, who happens to have a lot of success playing his own stories. And because his stories are real, acoustic and tell a story, he’s been called a country artist. Said Zach to Bruce,

“When I listen to your music. If you put different production to this, it’s a Country song. All of ’em. And that’s why I don’t want to be a “country” musician. Everyone calls me it. I want to be a songwriter. You are a quintessential songwriter . . . No one calls Bruce Springsteen a Rock musician.”

He said that last part while drawing an imaginary box with his fingers, indicating being “boxed in.”

Zach doesn’t like to participate in awards shows (of any kind, country or otherwise), and got furious with his record label last year when his song “Pink Skies” was sent to pop radio, getting on socials to say “PINK SKIES IS NOT A POP SONG. I’m not a [expletive] pop artist!”

Categorised in: Country Music News

This post was written by Cheryl Johnstone