Zac Brown Reflects on Songwriting and 'A Song is a Baby' Philosophy

Over the past decade and a half, the Zac Brown Band has solidified their position in the music world with an impressive 55 Grammy nominations and achieving 13 chart-topping singles such as their initial hit ‘Chicken Fried,’ the award-winning ‘As She’s Walking Away’ with Alan Jackson, the joint effort with Jimmy Buffett in ‘Knee Deep,’ and the beloved ‘Homegrown,’ among other memorable tracks.

The Evolution of Zac Brown's Songwriting

Zac Brown compares creating a song to nurturing a child, a process filled with unknowns and discoveries. In a conversation with American Songwriter, Brown emphasizes the symbiotic relationship he has with his craft, and how each song's journey to fruition is unique and unexpected.

Since the release of The Foundation in 2008, the root of the band's success has been not only their widely celebrated originals but also their capacity to cross genres, as evidenced by their live covers album, From the Road, Vol. 1. This project showcases their diverse musical range, with renditions of tracks from John Mayer to Queen, and from The Who to Metallica.

Collaboration and Musical Alchemy

Brown delves into his songwriting process, revealing his collaborative spirit. He finds that true magic happens when there's a lack of ego in the room, allowing for a fusion of creativity that leads to stunning musical outcomes. Working with new writers has brought fresh perspectives, and upcoming collaborations are highly anticipated. As the band progresses, Brown actively seeks to construct songs that resonate emotionally without overwhelming production.

With a keen ear for the nuances of songcraft, Brown and his 'orchestra' of band members consistently prioritize what serves the song best. Their collaborative process proves to be as dynamic as the music they create, spurred by mutual trust and respect for each other's contributions.

The Genre-Defying Nature of a Song

For Zac Brown, the essence of a song determines its final form rather than any predetermined genre classifications. He stresses the importance of letting a song 'grow up' and then 'dressing it' with the right production to enhance its natural attributes.

Looking ahead, Brown's approach to songwriting remains fluid, embracing both inward reflection and outward exploration. His continuous creative journey sees him always in the throes of writing, with numerous strong new songs already lined up and the anticipation of what lies ahead fueling his artistic drive.

songwriting, collaboration, creation