Zach Bryan Says He Doesn't 'Want to Be a Country Musician.' Here's How He Categorizes Himself Instead

Mar. 15, 2025

Zach Bryan for Rolling Stone.Photo:Danny Clinch

Danny Clinch

Don’t boxZach Bryaninto any one genre.In a new cover story interview withRolling Stone, the Grammy winner opened up about why he doesn’t want to be considered “a country musician.“Bryan, 28, toldBruce Springsteenin a conversation for the outlet, “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.“Bruce Springsteen and Zach Bryan for Rolling Stone.Danny ClinchWhile the Oklahoma-raised performer has topped the country charts with two hit songs (“Something in the Orange” and “I Remember Everything” withKacey Musgraves) as well as three albums (American Heartbreak,Zach BryanandThe Great American Bar Scene), he’d like the freedom to roam artistically.“No one calls Bruce Springsteen — hate to use your name in front of you — but no one calls Bruce Springsteen a freaking rock musician, which you are one, but you’re also an indie musician, you’re also a country musician,” he added. “You’re all these things encapsulated in one man. And that’s what songwriting is.“The Boss, 75, expressed admiration for the “energy” of Bryan’s performances, telling him, “You bust all those different genre boundaries down.“Bruce Springsteen and Zach Bryan.Danny ClinchThe PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!Springsteen’s own penchant for genre-bending is exactly why Bryan has always considered him a “hero” in his life — “because no one’s ever come up to you and said you were in any sort of lane,” he said.Bryan then recalled, “When I first started making music, I told Stefan and Danny, my managers, I was like, ‘I want to be in a lane where, when people look back, they can listen to my music and it’s supremely whateveryouwere doing.'“Zach Bryan performs during Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival in September 2024 in Franklin, Tennessee.Erika Goldring/GettyNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.He emphasized to Springsteen, “You were the only person in my head that has ever done that.“Earlier this month,Varietyreported Bryan — who won a Grammy Award for best country duo/group performance with “I Remember Everything” in February — opted not to submit his music for this year’s Grammys. According to the outlet, the “Pink Skies” singer doesn’t want music to be a competition.

Don’t boxZach Bryaninto any one genre.

In a new cover story interview withRolling Stone, the Grammy winner opened up about why he doesn’t want to be considered “a country musician.”

Bryan, 28, toldBruce Springsteenin a conversation for the outlet, “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.”

Bruce Springsteen and Zach Bryan for Rolling Stone.Danny Clinch

While the Oklahoma-raised performer has topped the country charts with two hit songs (“Something in the Orange” and “I Remember Everything” withKacey Musgraves) as well as three albums (American Heartbreak,Zach BryanandThe Great American Bar Scene), he’d like the freedom to roam artistically.

“No one calls Bruce Springsteen — hate to use your name in front of you — but no one calls Bruce Springsteen a freaking rock musician, which you are one, but you’re also an indie musician, you’re also a country musician,” he added. “You’re all these things encapsulated in one man. And that’s what songwriting is.”

The Boss, 75, expressed admiration for the “energy” of Bryan’s performances, telling him, “You bust all those different genre boundaries down.”

Bruce Springsteen and Zach Bryan.Danny Clinch

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Springsteen’s own penchant for genre-bending is exactly why Bryan has always considered him a “hero” in his life — “because no one’s ever come up to you and said you were in any sort of lane,” he said.

Bryan then recalled, “When I first started making music, I told Stefan and Danny, my managers, I was like, ‘I want to be in a lane where, when people look back, they can listen to my music and it’s supremely whateveryouwere doing.'”

Zach Bryan performs during Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival in September 2024 in Franklin, Tennessee.Erika Goldring/Getty

Erika Goldring/Getty

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

He emphasized to Springsteen, “You were the only person in my head that has ever done that.”

Earlier this month,Varietyreported Bryan — who won a Grammy Award for best country duo/group performance with “I Remember Everything” in February — opted not to submit his music for this year’s Grammys. According to the outlet, the “Pink Skies” singer doesn’t want music to be a competition.

source: people.com