Grammy Award-Winning Singer Zach Bryan Says He Doesn’t Want to Be Labeled a Country Music Artist

The 28-year-old singer recently told Rolling Stone that he wants to be viewed as simply a songwriter.

Zach Bryan performs at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nev., on Feb. 9, 2024. Mindy Small/Getty Images

Zach Bryan, a Grammy Award-winning artist well known for his country-infused songs, such as his breakout hit “Something in the Orange,” has expressed his desire to break away from the confines of the country music genre.

“I don’t want to be a country musician,” the 28-year-old told singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen, 75, in a recent interview for Rolling Stone’s latest Musicians on Musicians issue.

“When I listen to your music, I’m like, ‘If you put different production to this, it’s a country song,’” Bryan said as he reflected on the genre-defying nature of Springsteen’s songs.

Bryan emphasized his point by noting that Springsteen is seldom categorized solely as a rock musician—even though he is one. However, Bryan said his own music, which also incorporates rock and folk elements, is often labeled as pure country.

“Everyone calls me [a country musician]. I want to be a songwriter, and you’re quintessentially a songwriter,” he told Springsteen.

“You’re also an indie musician, you’re also a country musician,” Bryan added. “You’re all these things encapsulated in one man. And that’s what songwriting is.”

Country Tunes

Bryan’s music has been widely recognized in the world of country.

In 2023, he took home the Academy of Country Music Award for “New Male Artist of the Year” and earned a “New Artist of the Year” nod at the Country Music Awards.

Earlier this year, the singer won the Grammy Award for “Best Country Duo/Group Performance” for his song “I Remember Everything.” The track, from his 2023 album “Zach Bryan,” features singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves.

Bryan took to Instagram a few days after winning the award to reflect on his milestone achievement and celebrate his self-titled album going platinum.

“I’ve gotten emotional a few times this week for a lot of different reasons. Finally got the chance to reflect on the Grammy ... and now this guy becoming silver,” he wrote in part.

“It is all so surreal but if anyone who knows me knows that I don’t consider any of it success if I don’t have my best friends and my family with me.

“I want to say I am nothing without the support of the people who listened to [my] first album and stuck with me through the ups and downs of who I am. I am proud this record is called ZB and I am proud of the people who made it with me, and I am content in my own skin nowadays.”

Music Career

Before embarking on his music career, the Oklahoma native served in the U.S. Navy for eight years.

Bryan, who enlisted when he was 17, went on to write and play music during his free time, eventually releasing his debut album in 2019 while he was still serving on active duty. The album, titled “DeAnn,” was a tribute to his mother, Annette DeAnn Bryan, who died in 2016 at the age of 49.

Zach Bryan and girlfriend Brianna Chickenfry arrive for the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 4, 2024. Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

In May 2020, Bryan released his sophomore album, “Elisabeth,” featuring his popular tracks “Heading South” and “Revival.”

The following year, the singer was honorably discharged from the Navy so that he could focus his time on music. He subsequently released his third studio album, “American Heartbreak,” in 2022, followed by “Zach Bryan.”

Bryan debuted his fifth album on July 4. “The Great American Bar Scene” features a blend of folk, country, and heartland rock.

“The making of this album tested me and everyone close to me. It drove me to my ends and my beginnings,” he said via Instagram on July 2. “I wrote and produced all of these with the help of some truly great friends. I finally felt like I [was] making music again.”

Despite his success as a country crooner, Bryan may finally fulfill his wish to break outside of the music genre.

Rapper Snoop Dogg teased a potential collaboration with the singer-songwriter during a recent appearance on the “Today“ show, which aired on Oct. 17.

“Zach sent me a song, I gotta put a verse on it,” the 52-year-old hip-hop artist said, adding that he was moved by Bryan’s interview with Springsteen.

“I’m inspired seeing that with him, with the boss, with Bruce Springsteen.”