Don’t Expect Zac Brown Band’s New Record to be Country
Can we go back to the time when the biggest worry we had with The Zac Brown Band was that his song “Chicken Fried” was a precursor to Bro-Country? Remember that moment in 2009 when he took the stage at the CMA Awards and ripped into a badass version of “Devil Went Down to Georgia” and had us all pumping our fists, or that time he called out Luke Bryan’s “That’s My Kind of Night,” saying it was the “worst song ever“? Can we make a wish on a genie, or have Dorthy tap her ruby slippers together and transport us back to the beanie-wearing version of Zac Brown?
There is no one that has presented a more manic, disjointed front to their music in the past few years than The Zac Brown Band. Actually, I take that back. Somehow The Band Perry is actually worse. That’s a whole other story though. But after Zac Brown returned to his roots with his 2017 record Welcome Home, he’s back dabbling in EDM with his latest single “Someone I Used To Know.” And just in case you thought maybe it was an isolated lead radio single and were holding on to shimmers of hope that the new record would be country at least somewhat, Brown has let it be known you can expect his new music to be an amalgam of sounds and influences.
Speaking to Billboard recently, Brown said, “I’d rather not have a label at all. This is going to be a really good exploratory record—there’s a lot of rhythmic elements added to what we would normally play onstage, and then there’s going to be stuff that’s really stripped-down and real. It’ll be a good mixture of everything.”
I love how Zac Brown inadvertently admitted there that the other stuff he’s playing probably isn’t “real.”
He then goes on to say about the approach to his new, still-untitled album, “We’re working with some of the best pop producers ever on this album, and it’s going to have their influence on it. There’s a lot of diversity on this album, as there is on all of our records—with the exception of [2017’s] ‘Welcome Home.’ We kind of went back to more acoustic [style on that album], but this album’s not that. This one is more exploratory in different ways, but still has stuff that’s down the middle … A lot of these songs are going to be really fun to play and fun to perform because they’re interactive. A lot of them have callbacks where the audience can sing back with us, and some of these were written to play in stadiums and big venues.”
Oh great. Callbacks.
Frankly this is part of a greater pattern from Zac Brown where he appears to be obsessed with trying to take over the world. Late in 2018 he unveiled an audacious plan to launch a new umbrella company to manage all manner of business ventures he hopes to be a part of, ranging from food, clothing manufacturing, feature film production, artist developing, custom design in a range of applications including wood, metal, and leather, as well as outdoor products, including building waterproof outdoor Bluetooth speakers which you can also store your valuables in. You know, for that special someone who has everything.
“We’ve been working towards this development for years,” says Zac Brown “My team and I are more than ready to roll out our roster of unique brands that embody our latest vision of delivering consumers a genuine American experience. It’s an exciting time for us and we can’t wait to show the world what we have to offer.”
How about just working with your team on music that doesn’t completely suck?
We’re now bordering on Kanye West level of megalomania from this guy. When Taylor Swift hit it big, she launched a fragrance and starred in some Diet Coke commercials. Zac Brown hasn’t cracked the Top 10 on country radio in nearly four years, and is trying to become the Amazon of country music lifestyle branding, even though he doesn’t want to be considered country. Because you know, we can’t restrict his “creativity.”
Anyway, if you’re a country fan, don’t get your hopes up when it comes to the new Zac Brown Band album. That’s all I’m saying, even though it probably goes without saying at this point. And that sucks, because despite all the detours Zac Brown has taken his band on in his quest for EDM superstardom, The Zac Brown Band is still a collection of some really damn talented individuals.
February 26, 2019 @ 11:15 am
Midlife crisis.
February 27, 2019 @ 12:56 am
Bald Bald Bald Bald… Oh my Neptune..
My eyes… my eyes… I can’t look away
Put a beanie on that scalp bro.
And yes, I am a jackass. You’re welcome , I’m here all week.
February 27, 2019 @ 2:07 pm
yeah. You are a jack—!
August 13, 2019 @ 5:59 pm
ZBB was by far my favorite country band until Jekyll and Hyde which had only 3 good songs. Uncaged was their last good album. Sorry boys but Eric Church is the king of real country now.
February 26, 2019 @ 11:18 am
I saw the Zac Brown Band a couple of years ago when they played at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and their set was decent enough. But he claimed he’s from Atlanta, not Dahlonega (where he’s actually from) and just kind of seemed like he was too good to be there. And he was one of the only artists who didn’t meet and greet with the fans after their set. Maybe they were on a time crunch and had another show to head to, but it was disappointing to say the least. If Jerry Douglas, Chris Thile, and Gillian Welch, etc. can come out and greet the fans, so can Zac Brown.
February 28, 2019 @ 7:26 am
He didn’t move to Dahlonega until high school and has been all over the Atlanta-metro area. So it’s pretty accurate.
February 26, 2019 @ 11:40 am
At the NRA convention in Atlanta in 2016, he had a booth (as did a few thousand more) for his Southern Grind knives. (www.southenrgrind.com). They are as expensive as many of the other higher priced knives, but I don’t sense the value. Mainly, I just mentioned this because I knew that simply mentioning a fact that contained the letters “NRA” would set off a a goodly number of readers. It’s just kind of a fun thing to do.
As for Zach, the man has a ton of kids and is getting divorced. Whatever he was worth, it’s soon going to be around 30% of that. Not kidding. He needs to make more money anyway he can. If that means putting country in the rear-view, so be it.
February 26, 2019 @ 12:50 pm
I was gonna say, there’s gotta be a reason for all the side-hustles. Can’t blame him. Making a good living exclusively on music is next to impossible these days. Most artists who were big at one point sell out eventually, to keep the standard of living up.
February 26, 2019 @ 1:23 pm
Zac Brown is worth $25 million. Even with the divorce, I think he’ll be fine without hawking custom made wood and metal products. But of course the problem with money is you can always have more of it.
February 28, 2019 @ 9:00 am
If you/the writer of this article would actually do some research before making comments, you would know that his “side hustle” IS WHO HE IS!! He had his own restaurant and SOLD IT to buy a bus which allowed him to travel with his band in the beginning! And his knife company also was started because he was knife enthusiast and wanted to make something of quality, made in the US..AND help to fund his Camp Southern Ground for kids, which is an amazing place, you should look it up! So any other ventures he does, is done with a purpose. So please spare me with the negativity…sincerely, a fan of everything he does.
February 28, 2019 @ 4:56 pm
No negativity here. I salute the man. Camp Southern Ground needs supporting too. Part of the proceeds from buying this will help a lot of kids:
https://diamondbackfirearms.myshopify.com/products/copy-of-diamondback-db1065cb?variant=551797522444
Nice.
August 14, 2019 @ 6:33 pm
He should have stuck with what made him famous. Now he will go down as a has been. Happens to the best of them. Liked your old stuff but every time I see a country artist try to jazz it up or dabble in hip hop. It’s an ultimate fail in my book. But to each their own. Good luck Zac you’re gonna need it. The warrior. I listened to 10 seconds and turned it off.
February 26, 2019 @ 11:43 am
I still cry when I hear “Bittersweet” — not because it’s a bittersweet song but because he took a majestically understated piece of music and blew any subtlety away by going all-Mumford in the middle of it.
February 27, 2019 @ 2:03 pm
I love the way he sings “Bittersweet”. It does touch my heart and a lot other people’s hearts.
February 26, 2019 @ 11:46 am
He sucks , and blows at the same time, along with that stupid ‘top hat’ he apparently thinks is so cool .
February 26, 2019 @ 11:47 am
I miss the days of watching him play parking lot parties in Buckhead. he played 75% Tom Petty and Fleetwood mac covers, but it at least it felt natural and organic.
February 26, 2019 @ 11:56 am
Trig, you have anything to say about FGL’s new album ?
February 26, 2019 @ 1:24 pm
I might soon.
February 26, 2019 @ 5:25 pm
Sucks?
February 26, 2019 @ 7:35 pm
Done
February 26, 2019 @ 12:16 pm
I wasn’t.
February 26, 2019 @ 12:21 pm
Their first two albums had so many hits that its easy to forget that all those hits came from only two albums. The reality is that You Get What You Give is almost 10 years old and ZBB hasn’t offered anything close to the quality of that album since. Back then it looked like they would be able to sell out stadiums year after year like Kenny Chesney has managed to do, but I imagine their ticket sales have waned as Zac Brown bounces from one musical direction to another. Zac Brown’s potential to take over the world has faded since he started trying to take over the world.
February 26, 2019 @ 12:47 pm
I agree, I don’t think he has the devoted following that he had 8-10 years ago to push this stuff. I’m sure they’re still a pretty big concert draw, but I can’t imagine that there’s a huge market for ZBB-branded everything.
They have a concert at a local stadium this spring, I thought about buying tickets because I imagine they must put on a pretty good show. I was a big fan of the first 3 albums. But their recent music just hasn’t been very good, and the tickets are kinda pricey. I decided use my concert budget for Shovels & Rope and Tyler Childers shows instead.
February 26, 2019 @ 1:06 pm
The last time I saw them live was the year Sturgill opened for them (2014?) and at that time I thought they were one of the best live acts for larger venues, they could put on a great show. I haven’t seen them since then because the newer studio stuff just doesn’t do anything for me and I can go see non-mainstream acts for much less. I’d be pissed to pay their ticket prices just to see half the band leave the stage multiple times so Zac can play off his laptop (idk if that actually happens, but what else can they do during Beautiful Drug?).
February 26, 2019 @ 12:23 pm
NOT A FAN NEVER WAS
February 26, 2019 @ 12:26 pm
I was mad to and unjust point over music when they started trending toward electronic dance music. I’ve gotten over that and I’m at the point now where I just look back on what they used to play and I’m thankful for that body of work and I just ignore the current body of work. That’s the best way for me to keep my sanity.
February 26, 2019 @ 12:37 pm
I miss when they played country music. They were one of the few bands left that we’re actually country. Now there a horrible pop band doing covers at their live show. I used to go see them every time they rolled through San Diego. I won’t even bother wasting my money. I’ll save it for good country artists like Brad Paisley when he comes through instead. Get back to your roots please. I won’t even listen to any of the garbage from the last two albums. I thought it was badass when you called out Luke Bryant and then you turn into him
February 26, 2019 @ 1:00 pm
You know it’s bad when suddenly Luke Bryan is a more trustworthy and genuine figure in country music than Zac Brown.
February 26, 2019 @ 1:14 pm
I like their new direction. It may not be country, but I’m quite fond of it. Welcome Home was a very safe, boring album. It’s good to shake things up.
February 26, 2019 @ 1:52 pm
My daughter and I saw him at Austin City Limits, they were great. Personally I don’t care what he does to make as living, but keep it real. They were fabulous, one of the best harmonies I’ve ever heard.
February 26, 2019 @ 2:30 pm
No other act even comes close to wasting this much talent on music this shitty.
February 26, 2019 @ 7:36 pm
Should be a new award category.
February 26, 2019 @ 2:40 pm
A damn shame. So much talent, so wasted. Still got the first couple of albums, though.
February 26, 2019 @ 3:17 pm
You ignorant people don’t know your ass from a hope in the ground. I’m sorry you’re stuck in the black and white era. Things change no music is the same as it was. There are many things that influence writers it’s not just cash and Hank they are influenced by Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, or like me they grew up in the pop era and that influenced their writing. We don’t have to stick to one sound it gets boring. Music is about being who you are and telling your own story.
February 26, 2019 @ 5:09 pm
“…or like me they grew up in the pop era…”
Wow, you’re dumb. There is no such thing as a “pop era.” Popular music as a market commodity with immense success, initially geared to the new market phenomenon of adolescents with disposable income, can be dated to at least the 1950’s.
“We don’t have to stick to one sound it gets boring.”
It’s not about a monolithic sound. It’s about quality and whether the quality on offer is actually, in substance and spirit, country in any sense that yields continuity with what that label has signified for generations, since the Bristol Sessions of 1927.
February 26, 2019 @ 5:13 pm
Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy the latest Sir Rosevelt record. Now I gotta go find a hope in the ground (if i can recognize it, that is…).
February 27, 2019 @ 9:44 am
I have said it before and will say it again:
If a traditional country standard-bearer like Jason Boland can make the music he does after having grown up listening to Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, no one else has any excuse.
February 27, 2019 @ 12:22 pm
Having been to a Jason Boland concert and knowing them guys for awhile now they sounds allot like what I hear on the radio everyday but with steel and fiddle. It’s the same pot smoking beer drinking stuff I always hear.
February 27, 2019 @ 6:22 pm
“It’s the same pot smoking beer drinking stuff I always hear.”
And that’s how I know you have never listened to a note of Jason Boland’s music.
March 5, 2019 @ 1:47 pm
“When I’m Stoned”, “Tennessee Whiskey”, “The Bourbon Legend”, all of these and more are Jason Boland songs full of pot smoking and beer drinking. LOL
March 5, 2019 @ 8:48 pm
Yes, three songs out of nine albums over the last 20 years is a completely accurate assessment of Boland’s career. Look, like Zac Brown all you want, but he’s never going to do anything that even approaches the greatness of “Sons and Daughters of Dixie,” “They Took It Away,” or “Fat and Merry.”
And the original comment wasn’t even about lyrical content anyway, but musical style.
February 28, 2019 @ 11:52 pm
there’s a link between traditional Country music and heavy metal. Not sure what it is really, but it’s there. Cody Jinks fronted a heavy metal band before going country, some other artists have as well. I did hear something about it on a Chris Shiflett podcast so it’s not just me that thinks that way.
February 27, 2019 @ 12:43 pm
If Brown is being what he is and telling his own story by recording half-assed EDM tunes, the part of his story he must be telling must be getting busted at a pot and pills party in a hotel room. Because only someone high on some controlled substance would consider that music to be in any way, shape or form “country.”
Frankly, at this point in his career he could do a song with Cardi B and I wouldn’t care, as long as he didn’t send it to country radio. But he probably would.
February 26, 2019 @ 3:26 pm
While I absolutely adore Reba, this is eerily similar to the career path she chose. She absolutely loves making great music, but when push comes to shove, she would choose commercial success over artistic credibility every time.
February 26, 2019 @ 6:58 pm
you can have it both ….(.Stapleton , Musgraves , Willie ……)
the trick is NOT to choose ‘commercial’ success OVER artistic credibility in the first place . that commercial fan base won’t follow you later when you make the music your heart wants to make and neither will radio . if you are straight-up artistically honest from the get-go people will respect you for that fact and you will find your following . if you choose commercial success you are locked into that commitment to trend-chasing to keep your handlers happy .
February 26, 2019 @ 3:33 pm
I can’t blame the man for wanting to try new things music wise. If he’s not inspired to do a full blown country album you can’t force him into it.
His lifestyle brand idea sounds crazy for how big it’s scope is but if you look at it on a smaller scale he could sell a few thousands knock off Yeti coolers with his large fan base. You have country artists with their own clothing ranges, house wares. The shift in demographics has brought in fans with more money to spend so maybe he’s smart trying to capitalize on that fact.
February 26, 2019 @ 4:09 pm
I admire is entrepreneurship, and think he’s really smart to diversify his income, since country radio is so fickle. I also love that he helps disabled kids, and displaced veterans with his Camp Southern Ground venture. I am really hoping he finds his way back to country music..
February 26, 2019 @ 4:44 pm
”Oh great. Callbacks.”
yup…….says it all
February 26, 2019 @ 6:04 pm
I always thought it was a shame to see such a talented group of musicians allowing such a horrible singer to not only front them, but give them his name.
He’s never been country, but it wouldn’t matter if he was because he sucks.
February 26, 2019 @ 7:31 pm
Why are they doing this? Is someone forcing them to do Pop music? They were always critically acclaimed with their old stuff and have a great fan base. As long as this is totally their decision, then I don’t really care what they do, as long as they want to go Pop… they should… but why on earth would they? Just like the Band Perry… yeesh…
February 26, 2019 @ 7:36 pm
Damn, Zac is bald….Skin Up, beanie off
February 28, 2019 @ 3:44 pm
I figured I’d ignore the stupid comment the first time, but twice? Bald people can’t help their baldness; it’s genetic. Fat people can. Hit the gym bro, even in your head shot, your paunch is showing.
March 1, 2019 @ 3:18 am
The Balding Bunch???
And my avatar pic is not of me… it’s a default pic that I was randomly given… Making fun of only Zac Brown and not the bald community. I’m a jackass (but still a stand up guy) and I post bad jokes, so please don’t take anything seriously from me…
March 1, 2019 @ 3:27 am
Also , I don’t think Zac is balding…. I think he just shaves his head.. he probably has a full head of hair… Don’t twist this on me , Marky Mark
February 26, 2019 @ 8:31 pm
EDM? From Zac Brown? EDM is a lot more than just a stock programmed drum beat
February 26, 2019 @ 8:53 pm
Why all the hate? I still love Zac Brown. Welcome Home wasn’t their best album, so I’m looking forward to another Jekyll and Hyde-type album.
February 27, 2019 @ 4:27 pm
I think the biggest problem we have with Zac Brown is that he continues to release faux EDM songs to country radio even when he knows they aren’t country, because he knows he’d get his ass handed to him in the CHR format. We’d respect him a lot more if he’d follow Taylor Swift’s example and admit he’s a Hot AC artist.
February 28, 2019 @ 12:56 pm
And you think MOST ANYTHING played on The Highway or most radio stations is Country??? I would rather listening to ZBB do whatever music they/he wants because it will be good music, PERIOD! The crap that is passing for “Country” music in the past few years is further away from country and SUCKS….these artists played on radio now couldn’t sing live if their life depended on it. So thanks, I’ll stick with great musicians who can actually play…NO MATTER WHAT THE GENRE
February 26, 2019 @ 9:18 pm
Saw the last tour fun show good musicianship but he wants to be all things to all people which leads to lots of experimentation so hopefully Zac will be country again someday!
February 27, 2019 @ 1:46 am
As long as “country” radio is playing his edm-“country” & as long as his albums eat up places on the “country” album charts…it’s all good…for Zac Brown.
But it’s not good for country music & the many talented country artists fighting for airplay, sales & record contracts.
February 27, 2019 @ 5:06 am
I don’t really see this as an effort to “take over the world” at all. I just see it as a guy who likes varying types of music, whether performing or for listening to, and that sounds pretty normal to me. I don’t just like and only listen to country, I enjoy retro disco, rock, pop, dance, EDM, Tejano, etc and listen to every one of those for a while on occasion. I would never want to only listen to one type of music, and evidently it seems Zac Brown doesn’t want to do that either. I happened to really enjoy the Sir Rosevelt gig, I geeked out driving down the highway to some of their songs, but I have also air-guitared my way down the road to some of Brown’s hard-core country stuff as well. I look forward to this new work, if it’s good I will buy and listen to it, if not, I won’t. I don’t fault him at all for showing all sides of his taste and personality.
February 27, 2019 @ 6:23 am
At least he’s honest that he’s doing lots of stuff, calls them POP producers, admits that he’s not doing one thing and doesn’t tell people that this is what Country needs to sound like
I’d rather listen to ZB being honest about trying lots of influences than Blake Shelton call me an old fart.
Am I wrong?
February 27, 2019 @ 8:48 am
You are definitely wrong, because Blake Shelton can actually sing.
February 28, 2019 @ 8:11 am
The difference is that Blake Shelton is an arrogant pigheaded blowhard who spouts off and thinks he’s always right.
Whereas at least in this instance, Zac Brown is being honest
and not being an opinionated prick like Blake Shelton
So as usual, You’re mistaken
February 27, 2019 @ 4:21 pm
He’s honest about his influences, but then he sends the songs to country radio anyway. That’s not deserving of a brownie point to me.
February 27, 2019 @ 8:08 am
Teams are for sports. Bands are for music.
Zac Brown swallowed both the red pill and the blue pill. Do not ever count on Zac Brown to know what is real. His reality check has most definitely bounced.
February 27, 2019 @ 9:01 am
Dammit. i like Welcome Home, and I guess I knew all along the next release probably wouldn’t be more of the same. But I still hoped Brown might surprise me and stick to that format for at least one more album. Oh well..
February 27, 2019 @ 9:33 am
I have no problem with artists delving into different formats. Lots of pop artists (Beatles, Stones, Elton, etc.) dipped their toes into country music with a song or two. Give him credit…at least he isn’t trying to say it is country like FGL.
February 27, 2019 @ 10:07 am
Imagine playing Chicken Fried over and over again for the last 10 years to a crowd of drunk and high 20 year olds. Imo, their best album was the Dave Grohl sessions. In DG’s interview with RS magazine he says, “I dont even know what you call it, its fucking great”. They are just damn good musicians making damn good music.
February 27, 2019 @ 10:23 am
The Grohl sessions was a great EP, had they done that as a full album instead of Jekyll and Hyde their legacy would still be intact.
February 27, 2019 @ 10:34 am
Jekyll and Hyde is my second favorite so I guess my opinion is lost on you 😉
Homegrown, Bittersweet, Mango tree, Loving you easy, heavy is the head, the whole thing screams diversity. I have always felt that musical diversity shows musical talent as well as appreciation for that diversity.
February 27, 2019 @ 1:39 pm
I don’t necessarily think any of the songs you mentioned are bad songs, but as a whole I think the album was forgettable at best, and leading off with Beautiful Drug cast a dark shadow over the whole album. They just didn’t utilize the talent of the full band like they did in the first two albums or Grohl Sessions and have thus faded away from being one of the better bands in music.
February 27, 2019 @ 7:48 pm
Beautiful Drug is godawful. I saw ZBB many years ago, and it was a great show – as had been commented many times, that band is full of shit hot players. I thought about going to see them again a couple of years ago, but I saw that they’re still playing that dreck, so that immediately ended that plan.
February 27, 2019 @ 12:29 pm
Too bad, I enjoyed Welcome Home.
February 27, 2019 @ 12:38 pm
Zac Brown Band used to be my favorite, I still wear his hat for some of my shows. But, I’ve never been more disappointed on where someone’s music has gone. It’s his life, he can make whatever music he wants, but I may never buy another album if the trend continues. I don’t think he’s made a great Country album since “Uncaged” (2012). I felt like “Welcome Home” was throwing his Country fans a bone, but overall I thought it was subpar at best and not totally authentic outside of
“My Old Man”. I guess maybe Zac and I have just grown apart.
February 27, 2019 @ 1:57 pm
ZBB was my favorite act for years until I discovered SCM and Trigger let me know about TT, Cody, WCG, Wade Bowen , Isbell, Whiskey etc. Point being there are endless acts to get into who are way better then Zac can ever be. F**k him.
February 28, 2019 @ 10:42 am
Why the hell does Zac Brown look like he’s the curator of a riverboat gambling museum?
February 28, 2019 @ 6:21 pm
Nailed it! I remember thinking Kenny Chesney was hot with his cowboy hat. Then I saw him without it in a tracksuit and it killed the vibe. On topic, I don’t fault ZBB for diversifying and exploring new (lucrative) avenues, but it is a disappointment.
March 1, 2019 @ 5:40 am
I’ve never been a fan of theirs… don’t get the hype myself, tho’, I’ve heard some live clips that they really can do a show live, so props to them.
Sounds like he needs to make up his mind who he’s trying to play for.
March 1, 2019 @ 9:20 am
Well,Zac,Colt Ford and even Randy Houser don’t exactly fit the handsome good ol’ boy ethos of today’s (male) Country stars,which is likely why Zac left. Six or so years of Bro-Country likely convinced him that,even if not to the standards of Traditional or even Nineties Country ,his new work would be accepted if not loved .
March 1, 2019 @ 9:24 am
Maddie and Tae are playing at some small place in suburban Detroit,which says loads about the state of airplay for today’s female Country artists .
March 1, 2019 @ 9:35 am
It’s stunning, frankly, that the talented guys behind him have allowed this transition to an era that doesn’t showcase their talents. Of course, their bank accounts have been rewarded for the complicity. Good for them?
March 1, 2019 @ 8:05 pm
https://variety.com/2019/music/news/diplo-country-stagecoach-festival-zac-brown-thomas-rhett-exclusive-1203150964/#utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=social_bar&utm_content=bottom_amp&utm_id=1203150964
April 19, 2019 @ 10:13 am
I have no problem with an artist playing different genres, but start a different side project for it instead.
June 18, 2019 @ 1:23 pm
Did no one catch when they played live on The Today Show a couple years back (My Old Man) and then Katie or whoever asked him after they were done if they like going out on tour and his answer was “yes, cause when you’re home you gotta chase the kids around.” This coming from the man who wanted a brood of children and kept having them until his dear wife had a boy. Hmm…the writing was on the wall then. It appears to me he got caught up in the mega star he’s become and this whole conceited, arrogant, tell people to F off comment really is disappointing. I miss the man in the beanie playing Colder Weather. I agree, they have the right to expand and explore new avenues, but it comes at the price or losing fans when he doesn’t seem genuine anymore.