Zac Brown Band was one of the most popular country groups of the late 2000s and early 2010s. The band is led by vocalist Zac Brown and known for hits like “Chicken Fried,” “Toes,” and “Colder Weather.” However, in recent years, Zac Brown Band has faded from the spotlight somewhat. Their album sales and chart success have declined, leading many fans to wonder – what happened to Zac Brown Band?
Early Success
Zac Brown Band burst onto the country scene in 2008 with their major label debut, The Foundation. The album reached #1 on the country charts and #3 on the Billboard 200, powered by the #1 country hit “Chicken Fried.” Songs like “Toes” and “Whatever It Is” also became radio staples, showcasing the band’s eclectic sound that blended country with bluegrass, reggae, and other genres.
The Foundation went platinum and set the group up for even more success with their 2010 follow up, You Get What You Give. This album followed a similar multi-genre country template and generated an impressive five #1 country hits – “As She’s Walking Away” featuring Alan Jackson, “Colder Weather,” “Knee Deep” featuring Jimmy Buffett, “Keep Me In Mind,” and “Free.” It also reached #1 on the Billboard 200, making Zac Brown Band one of the hottest acts in country at the time.
Continued Popularity
Over the next few years, Zac Brown Band enjoyed a string of popular albums and radio hits. 2012’s Uncaged netted the band their third straight #1 country album plus two more chart-topping singles in “The Wind” and “Goodbye in Her Eyes.” In 2013, the band won a Grammy for Best Country Album for Uncaged.
The following year saw the release of the group’s fourth album, Jekyll + Hyde. While not as commercially successful as their previous work, it still reached #2 country and #1 on the Billboard 200 thanks to singles like “Homegrown” and “Heavy Is the Head” with Chris Cornell.
The band’s fifth album, Welcome Home, arrived in 2017 and delivered modest hits in “My Old Man” and “Roots.” But overall, it failed to make much of a commercial impact.
Decline in Popularity
Zac Brown Band’s streak of success started to slow down around the late 2010s. Their albums were still charting well initially, but produced fewer and fewer hit singles. Radio play and digital streaming declined as the band’s sound evolved in more pop and EDM-influenced directions that alienated some longtime country fans.
The group’s 2017 single “Someone I Used to Know” only reached #29 on the country charts. And their 2018 album The Owl generated no major hits at all. Not even high profile collaborations with artists like Future and Brandi Carlile could spark much interest from listeners.
Critics started to accuse Brown of making the band’s sound too far removed from its country roots. And the lack of radio airplay and streaming hurt Zac Brown Band’s momentum significantly.
Reasons for Decline
There are several factors that may explain Zac Brown Band’s decline in popularity since their peak around 2010-2013:
Move Away from Traditional Country Sound
As mentioned, the band started incorporating more pop, EDM, and even hip-hop influences into their music in the late 2010s. For example, “The Owl” included songs with Future and Sir Rosevelt that were far outside the traditional country sound fans were used to. While Zac Brown Band was always musically eclectic, these experiments may have alienated parts of their core country fanbase.
Overexposure and Over-Touring
At the height of their fame, Zac Brown Band toured extensively – sometimes playing over 200 shows a year. The grueling schedule, combined with their ubiquity on country radio, may have led to some fan fatigue. Even loyal listeners can lose interest when a band is overexposed.
Stiff Country Radio Competition
The late 2010s saw a surge of young talent emerge in country music like Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, and Maren Morris. As these rising stars gained traction at radio, airplay for veterans like Zac Brown Band became harder to come by. The band’s evolving sound also made their songs a trickier fit for mainstream country playlists.
Side Projects and Band Tension
Zac Brown pursued a side project, Sir Rosevelt, during this period that may have distracted focus away from the core band. There were also rumors of internal strife within the band members that could have contributed to their creative stagnation. Founding member Jimmy De Martini left Zac Brown Band in 2018 after reported disagreements over their musical direction.
Recent Developments
In the past couple years, there are signs Zac Brown Band may be attempting a comeback of sorts:
The Controversy
Ironically, Brown generated headlines in 2019 for commenting that EDM and hip-hop were “polluting” country music. This came off as hypocritical to some given his own genre-blending on recent albums. But the controversy put the band back in the news cycle after years out of the mainstream conversation.
Return to Roots
The band’s 2019 album The Owl did not perform well critically or commercially. But their next project, The Comeback, seemed to be a conscious return to their early bluegrass and country influences. Songs like “Old Love Song” and “Fun Having Fun” were simple, stripped-down country numbers. And the album brought Zac Brown Band their first country radio #1 single in years with “Same Boat.”
Touring Success
While radio play has been inconsistent, Zac Brown Band remains a major touring draw on the summer festival circuit. They have headlined festivals like Bonnaroo and are fixtures on amphitheaters and stadiums nationwide. This touring revenue has likely sustained them through leaner years recently.
The Future
It remains to be seen if Zac Brown Band can fully reclaim their status as hitmakers. But they are taking steps to reconnect with longtime fans by refocusing on their country roots.
Key factors that may determine their future success:
Consistent Radio Play
Airplay remains vital for any country artist. Zac Brown Band will need to land a string of singles on heavy rotation to sustain momentum.
Reduced Touring Schedule
Scaling back their exhausting touring pace could help reduce fatigue and build up demand to see the band live.
Younger Fan Outreach
Drawing in younger listeners through collaborations, social media, and touring with hot upstarts could help broaden their aging fanbase.
Band Harmony
Stability in the lineup and group dynamic is key – discord offstage will threaten the creativity onstage.
Conclusion
In summary, Zac Brown Band’s career peaked around 2010-2013 with a run of hit albums and catchy country-pop singles. In the years since, they have struggled to adapt their sound to current trends leading to reduced radio play, streaming, and album sales. However, their energetic live show and loyal fanbase sustain them even during less commercially successful periods. With a renewed focus on their country roots, the band seems to be course correcting from their crossover experiments. If they can stay the path and recapture country radio support, Zac Brown Band still possesses the talent to make another run as genre leaders. But they face stiff competition and will need consistent quality songwriting to avoid fading further into the background. The next 1-2 years will be crucial in determining if one of country’s biggest acts of the 2000s still has another act left in their story.
Zac Brown Band Album Sales
| Album | Release Year | Sales |
|---|---|---|
| The Foundation | 2008 | 3 million |
| You Get What You Give | 2010 | 2.5 million |
| Uncaged | 2012 | 1.5 million |
| Jekyll + Hyde | 2015 | 943,000 |
| Welcome Home | 2017 | 390,000 |
| The Owl | 2018 | 228,000 |
| The Comeback | 2022 | TBD |