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Backstage Country

Zach Bryan Doesn’t Want To Be Labeled Country

Zach Bryan is on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine along with rock icon Bruce Springsteen this month. The two sat for an interview together for Rolling Stone‘s “Musicians on…

Zach Bryan is laughing on stage holding a guitar in a black rock T-shirt.
Keith Griner/Getty Images

Zach Bryan is on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine along with rock icon Bruce Springsteen this month. The two sat for an interview together for Rolling Stone's "Musicians on Musicians" series. “I never thought I’d be sitting here with you," Bryan said.

Zach also talked about the fact that he never really wanted to be a country singer. He said, "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."

Bryan added that he "hated" to use Springsteen‘s name in front of him, but he reiterated that no one calls Bruce Springsteen a "freaking rock musician." Zach noted that Springsteen fits in a number of categories and hasn't allowed himself to be boxed into one genre.

Bryan doesn't do things the Nashville way. When he announces new work, he goes straight to the fans on social media. Zach did it again over the summer when he announced a new album, The Great American Bar Scene, which was released on July 4. The album featured a collaboration with Bruce Springsteen, "Sandpaper." Bryan previewed the album in a few select bars across the country.

He posted a message to his over four million followers on Instagram. "My intent with all this is to give everyone an early glimpse of this album, but more importantly, this is in the spirit of bringing people together for a memorable moment. I have chose(n) 23 bars across the country that embody the spirit of American culture."

The Oklahoma country singer continued, "These bars will play select cuts from The Great American Bar Scene starting June 24th. As much as I'd kill to play all these timeless bars, it won't be possible. I will be visiting a few off the list to have a drink with ya'll. The Great American Bar Scene will be released on July 4th. With love from the road, ZB."

He captioned the post, "A preface to the record is coming soon. Thank you, guys, and I am blown away daily. I am the most blessed man on the planet, and from everyone who worked on this record: we love you more than words could say."

Nancy Brooks has been working in the country music industry for almost 30 years. She has interviewed pretty much any country star you can think of. In the late 1990s, she started working with Dolly Parton. And yes, Nancy reports that Parton is as sweet as you would think. She loves her life in country music and has been backstage at every CMA Awards show since the late 1990s. Many of her stories are from her one-on-one interviews. She was there at the beginning of the incredible careers of many music superstars today, including Taylor Swift, Shania Twain, and Blake Shelton, and has interviewed them multiple times throughout the years.