History of Zac Brown Band in Timeline
Zac Brown Band is an American country music band formed in Atlanta, Georgia. Led by Zac Brown, the band features a lineup including Jimmy De Martini, John Driskell Hopkins, Coy Bowles, Chris Fryar, Clay Cook, Matt Mangano, Daniel de los Reyes, and Caroline Jones. Known for blending country with elements of rock, bluegrass, and reggae, they have achieved significant commercial success with numerous hit singles and albums. Their music often emphasizes themes of family, community, and Southern living.
22 hours ago : Zac Brown Engaged to Kendra Scott, Shares Emotional Tattoo with Daughter.
Zac Brown, lead singer of the Zac Brown Band, is engaged to jewelry designer Kendra Scott. Brown also got matching tattoos with his daughter, symbolizing their bond and love. It's a series of touching personal moments for the singer.
2002: Heavy Tour Schedule
In 2002, Zac Brown Band had a heavy tour schedule of approximately 200 dates a year.
2003: "Chicken Fried" First Recording
In 2003, "Chicken Fried" was originally recorded and included on the Home Grown album.
2003: Home Grown Label Start
In 2003, Zac Brown started his own record label, initially called Home Grown, which was later renamed Southern Ground.
2004: Jimmy De Martini Joins the Band
Also in 2004, violinist/fiddler and tenor vocalist Jimmy De Martini joined Zac Brown Band. He was recommended by Wyatt Durrette, who was a bartender at Sidelines Sports Bar at the time, where the band frequently performed.
2004: Coy Bowles Forms Coy Bowles and the Fellowship
In 2004, Coy Bowles formed Coy Bowles and the Fellowship while studying music at Georgia State University.
2004: Opening of "Zac's Place" and Full-Time Touring
In 2004, Zac Brown opened a music club and restaurant called "Zac's Place" with his father in the Lake Oconee area of Georgia. After a developer bought the restaurant, the Zac Brown Band purchased a tour bus and began touring full-time. The band also released their first independent album, Home Grown, during the same year.
2005: Lost Trailers contacted Brown for "Chicken Fried"
In 2005 The Lost Trailers contacted Zac Brown and expressed interest in recording "Chicken Fried". Brown agreed under the condition that the song would only be an album cut.
2005: Hopkins joins and Records "Toes"
In 2005, John Driskell Hopkins joined Zac Brown Band as bass guitarist while helping the group finish what became their number-one single "Toes".
2006: Heartland reaches number 1 with debut single
In 2006, Heartland reached number 1 with a debut single before Zac Brown Band.
2006: Lost Trailers Record "Chicken Fried"
In 2006, The Lost Trailers recorded "Chicken Fried" and it was released as a single but later withdrawn after Zac Brown decided he wanted to release it himself. Brown also co-wrote "Simple Life" with The Lost Trailers.
October 2008: Atlantic Records Acquires "Chicken Fried"
In October 2008, Atlantic Records acquired distribution of "Chicken Fried" after Live Nation Artists closed.
2008: "Chicken Fried" Re-Recording and Release
In 2008, "Chicken Fried" was re-recorded and released to country radio.
2008: Zac Brown Band Signs with Live Nation and Chris Fryar joins
In 2008, Zac Brown Band signed to Live Nation Artists Records, in association with Brown's own Home Grown label. Chris Fryar also joined the band as the new drummer in 2008.
January 2009: Clay Cook Joins the Band
In January 2009, Clay Cook joined Zac Brown Band as its multi-instrumentalist and high tenor vocalist.
October 2009: "Toes" becomes Number One
In October 2009, Zac Brown Band's third single, "Toes", became the band's second Number One hit.
2009: 2009 CMA Awards Nominations
In 2009, Zac Brown Band received four nominations for the 2009 CMA Awards: New Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Single of the Year, and Music Video of the Year for their No. 1 single, "Chicken Fried". That same year, they received three Grammy nominations for Best Country Album, Best Country Performance By a Duo or Group With Vocals and Best New Artist.
2009: VIP Eat & Greet Experiences
In Fall of 2009, the Zac Brown Band began offering fan-club members the ability to purchase tickets to VIP Eat & Greet experiences before the majority of their tour appearances, allowing fans the opportunity to share a meal with band-members before the show.
January 31, 2010: Grammy Award for Best New Artist
On January 31, 2010, the Zac Brown Band won the Grammy award for Best New Artist, making them the only country group to win this award.
August 21, 2010: "Free" Peaked at Number One
On August 21, 2010, Zac Brown Band's fifth single, "Free", peaked at Number One.
September 2010: Sailing Southern Ground Theme Cruise
In September 2010, after being perennial favorites, the Zac Brown Band began hosting their own theme-cruise, Sailing Southern Ground.
2010: "Free" hit number 1
In 2010, "Free" by Zac Brown Band hit number 1.
2011: Concert Tour with Blackberry Smoke
In 2011, the Zac Brown Band and Blackberry Smoke held a concert tour at venues and amphitheaters including Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, CA.
2011: 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards Nominations
The Zac Brown Band led the nominees for the 46th annual Academy of Country Music Awards in 2011, with a total of nine nominations including: Vocal Group of the Year, Album of the Year, Single Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Vocal Event of the Year.
April 25, 2012: Daniel de los Reyes Joins the Band
On April 25, 2012, percussionist Daniel de los Reyes joined Zac Brown Band on a permanent basis.
January 16, 2013: Benefit Concert for Pine Creek Firefighters and Residents
On January 16, 2013, Zac Brown, Clay Cook, and David Ryan Harris played a benefit with John Mayer for the firefighters and the residents of Pine Creek in Park County, Montana, who fought a fire that swept through the area, and destroyed five homes.
January 20, 2013: National Anthem Performance at NFC Championship Game
On January 20, 2013, Zac Brown Band performed the National Anthem during the NFC Championship Game between the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers in Seattle.
February 25, 2013: "Jump Right In" Released to Country Radio
On February 25, 2013, Zac Brown Band's third single from the album Uncaged, "Jump Right In", was released to country radio.
April 28, 2013: Stagecoach Festival Headliner
On April 28, 2013, the Zac Brown Band headlined the 2013 Stagecoach Festival in Indio, California.
May 8, 2013: Red Rocks Amphitheatre Headlining Stint - Night 1
On Wednesday, May 8, 2013, Zac Brown Band began a three-night, headlining stint at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. This performance was sold out.
May 9, 2013: Red Rocks Amphitheatre Headlining Stint - Night 2
On Thursday, May 9, 2013, Zac Brown Band continued their three-night, headlining stint at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. This performance was sold out.
May 10, 2013: Red Rocks Amphitheatre Headlining Stint - Night 3
On Friday, May 10, 2013, Zac Brown Band completed their three-night, headlining stint at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. This performance was sold out.
August 2013: "Jump Right In" Peaked at Number 2
In August 2013, Zac Brown Band's "Jump Right In" peaked at number 2 on the Country Airplay chart.
September 6, 2013: Performance at Lockin' Festival with The String Cheese Incident
On September 6, 2013, Zac Brown sat in with The String Cheese Incident and performed as the Zac Brown Incident during the inaugural Lockin' Festival in Arrington, VA.
November 6, 2013: CMA Awards Performance
On November 6, 2013, Zac Brown Band performed at the 2013 CMA awards with Dave Grohl on drums, debuting their new song "Day for the Dead".
December 2013: Release of The Grohl Sessions, Vol. 1
In December 2013, Zac Brown Band released a digital four-song EP titled The Grohl Sessions, Vol. 1, produced by Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters.
2013: Southern Ground Music & Food Festival
In 2013, Zac Brown Band recorded the live version of their 2010 hit "Free" transitioning into the Van Morrison classic "Into the Mystic", featuring Clare Bowen, at the Southern Ground Music & Food Festival in Nashville.
January 1, 2014: National Anthem Performance at NHL Winter Classic
On January 1, 2014, Zac Brown Band performed the National Anthem during the NHL's Winter Classic between the Detroit Red Wings & Toronto Maple Leafs at Michigan Stadium.
January 2014: "Sweet Annie" Reaches Number 1
In January 2014, Zac Brown Band's single "Sweet Annie", released in August 2013, rose to number 1.
January 21, 2014: Release of Live Version of "Free/Into the Mystic"
On January 21, 2014, Zac Brown Band released a live version of their 2010 hit "Free" transitioning into the Van Morrison classic "Into the Mystic", featuring Clare Bowen. The track was recorded at the 2013 Southern Ground Music & Food Festival in Nashville.
April 2014: Summer Tour Announcement and Matt Mangano Addition
In April 2014, Zac Brown Band announced its summer tour schedule, including Kacey Musgraves as an opening act, and the addition of Matt Mangano as an eighth member.
January 12, 2015: Strategic Partnership Announcement
On January 12, 2015, Zac Brown Band finalized a four-way strategic partnership involving Southern Ground Artists, Big Machine Label Group, Republic Records, and John Varvatos Records for their fourth studio album's release.
March 7, 2015: Saturday Night Live Debut
On March 7, 2015, Zac Brown Band made their Saturday Night Live debut, performing "Homegrown" and "Heavy is the Head".
April 28, 2015: Release of Jekyll + Hyde
On April 28, 2015, Zac Brown Band released its album Jekyll + Hyde, which features styles from rock, EDM, celtic, reggae and traditional pop/jazz.
2015: Estimated Annual Income by Forbes
In 2015, Forbes estimated that Zac Brown Band's annual income was $32 million.
2016: Formation of Side-Project Sir Rosevelt
In 2016, Zac Brown formed a side-project, Sir Rosevelt, and released several singles.
January 30, 2017: Preview of "Welcome Home" Cover Art
On January 30, 2017, Zac Brown Band previewed the cover art for their new album titled Welcome Home.
February 3, 2017: Release of "My Old Man"
On February 3, 2017, Zac Brown Band released the first single from the album Welcome Home, "My Old Man".
March 29, 2017: Performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
On March 29, 2017, Zac Brown Band performed "Roots" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
May 3, 2017: Release of "Roots"
On May 3, 2017, Zac Brown Band's latest song "Roots" was released.
May 12, 2017: Release of Welcome Home
On May 12, 2017, Zac Brown Band's album "Welcome Home" produced by Dave Cobb, was released.
December 15, 2017: Sir Rosevelt Album Release
On December 15, 2017, the album for Zac Brown's side-project, Sir Rosevelt, was released.
September 2018: CMT Crossroads Appearance Announced
In September 2018, it was announced that Zac Brown Band would make their second appearance of CMT Crossroads along with Shawn Mendes.
October 24, 2018: CMT Crossroads with Shawn Mendes Televised
On October 24, 2018, Zac Brown Band's second appearance on CMT Crossroads along with Shawn Mendes was televised.
November 16, 2018: Release of "The Greatest Showman: Reimagined" featuring Zac Brown Band
On November 16, 2018, Zac Brown Band's re-recording of "From Now On" from The Greatest Showman was released as part of the compilation album, The Greatest Showman: Reimagined.
July 26, 2019: Release of "Leaving Love Behind"
On July 26, 2019, Zac Brown Band released a digital single from The Owl album, "Leaving Love Behind".
September 20, 2019: Release of The Owl
On September 20, 2019, Zac Brown Band released their sixth album The Owl, which includes collaborations with various artists.
2019: Musicians Hall of Fame Performance
In 2019, Zac Brown performed "Colder Weather" at the 2019 Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum Concert and Induction Ceremony.
June 11, 2021: Release of "Same Boat"
On June 11, 2021, Zac Brown Band released the first single from The Comeback album, "Same Boat".
October 15, 2021: Release of The Comeback
On October 15, 2021, Zac Brown Band released their seventh album The Comeback.
January 2022: Release of "Out in the Middle"
In January 2022, Zac Brown Band released the second single from The Comeback album, "Out in the Middle".
September 2022: Release of The Comeback Deluxe Edition
In September 2022, Zac Brown Band released a deluxe edition of The Comeback album featuring duets with various artists.
November 3, 2022: Caroline Jones Joins the Band
On November 3, 2022, it was announced that Caroline Jones had joined Zac Brown Band as an official member.
July 18, 2025: Let It Run Single Release
On July 18, 2025, the lead single "Let It Run" featuring Snoop Dogg from Zac Brown Band's eighth album, "Love & Fear", is slated for release.
December 5, 2025: Love & Fear Album Release
On December 5, 2025, Zac Brown Band's eighth album, "Love & Fear", is scheduled to be released. The album features collaborations with Snoop Dogg, Dolly Parton, and Marcus King, and is promoted with a residency at the Sphere in Paradise, Nevada.
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