Zac Brown’s “F-Bomb” on the CMT Awards Was a Cry for Attention
WARNING: Language
There weren’t many reasons to tune into the CMT Awards Wednesday night (6-5), unless you wanted to see a cavalcade of country music’s third rail stars perform, the distribution of meaningless awards, or how well Boyz II Men has aged since they were relevant. There were a couple of bright spots, like Ashley McBryde winning the award for Breakthrough Video of the Year for “Girl Goin’ Nowhere,” and Brandi Carlile and Tanya Tucker performing “Delta Dawn” together.
But Zac Brown brought the class of country music’s “also ran” awards show down yet another notch when he decided to drop an F-bomb on live television, and in a prepared statement, and on a show that was rated by the cable network as family friendly. Furthermore, CMT felt it was perfectly okay to then rebroadcast the moment through their Twitter feed (then bleeped), and Zac Brown doubled down by posting the moment on social media as well.
In the acceptance speech for Group Video of the Year for the Zac Brown Band’s heavily EDM-influenced song “Someone I Used To Know,” Zac Brown said,
“Thank you, CMT. All of our champions and all of our fans. Thanks to Shawn Mendes. We’re so grateful that — we get our award every night when we get to show up and do what we love. No one has ever owned enough of our career to give us their trophies and accolades but that’s not how we measure our success. The award is for all of you; my band, outsiders who waited through everyone’s doubts. For you young artists, have the courage to stand up against the machine, be yourself, work hard and one day you can stand up here and tell all the haters to fuck off.”
First, Zac Brown didn’t seem to understand that this was just the CMT Awards, and that accepting an award on this very poorly-watched niche cable station anchored by rerun television is not really the forum to flaunt your achievements. Furthermore, Zac Brown doesn’t really have any achievements to flaunt these days. Though he had just won a CMT Award, the Zac Brown Band has been on the skids ever since Zac decided to get into the EDM business, first dabbling in the genre on the band’s 2015 album Jekyll + Hyde, then compartmentalizing it in a Zac Brown side project called Sir Rosevelt which shortly went defunct, and now back in the Zac Brown Band proper with their current single. Though “Someone I Used To Know” won a CMT Award, it was released 7 months ago and still has not cracked country radio’s Top 40. The CMT trophy almost feels like a consolation prize for the struggling band.
It’s also unclear just who Zac Brown is telling to “fuck off” beyond the “haters.” He seems to turn his ire on “the machine,” but Zac Brown is just as much a mechanized cog in the Music Row sausage factory as anyone. Perhaps he’s trying to tell younger performers to not conform to Music Row, but he would be one terrible spokesperson and hypocrite if that was the case. It seems most people are applauding Zac Brown’s bravery for making a lewd comment of TV, but exactly what message he’s trying to drive home here is unclear, making the moment more quizzical than inspirational.
And though it may seem prudish, dropping an F-bomb during a presentation like the CMT Awards once again pushes country music—which used to be the most family friendly spot on the radio dial—to a trash mouth, hip-hop style format. Since CMT is officially a subscription network, the FCC has no jurisdiction here, but it seems a little alarming that everybody seems okay with the moment, if not celebrating is as the highlight of the evening. We also know the speech was premeditated because Zac Brown was reading it off a piece of paper.
Yes, if some “Outlaw” country artist would have uttered the F-word from the stage he may be lauded as badass by many who are criticizing Zac Brown now, which would be hypocritical. But no Outlaw would ever be caught dead on the CMT Awards in the first place, while Zac Brown has been one of the biggest conformists and trend chasers in the mainstream in the last five years. And it’s about to get worse with another “song” he has waiting in the wings called “God Given,” and he’s already said his next album probably won’t be country. Yes, cussing has its place in country, but it should never be in a place where the family is watching or listening together like the CMT Awards.
Ultimately, it’s probably foolish to make too much of the situation, because Zac Brown dropping an F-bomb while accepting a meaningless award on a poorly-watched cable special for a song that can’t even crack the Top 40 is not about standing up to the system, shouting down the man, getting back at the haters, or inspiring younger performers. It’s about Zac Brown crying at the top of his lungs, “GIVE ME ATTENTION!” And if his recent output is any indication, he doesn’t deserve it.
🗣@ZacBrownBand has a message for the haters….#CMTawards pic.twitter.com/pbch6PcjE8
— CMT (@CMT) June 6, 2019
June 5, 2019 @ 8:58 pm
Zac’s a guy who knows he has sold out to EDM pop and is trying to find any validation that he made the right ‘artistic’ decision and has maintained his ‘cred’. So this award will do nicely, thank you, in his mind, despite it’s uselessness.
I wish all of these guys and gals who want to be.pop artiats would just admit they have shifted genres and leave country music to those who actually play it.
CMT is to country music as MTV is to music videos.
June 5, 2019 @ 9:38 pm
You know what? I was just at a Brad Paisley concert in Chula Vista, California, and 90% of those people that paid to see him were barely out of high school age or just barely 21. If you think that people arent listening, you are crazy!! AND, what about all of this bullshit going on with this STUPID Old Town Road song? ( or whatever the name is). Everyone is CLAIMING that this is a country song, AND IT ISN’T!!!!!!! Country music is alive and well, and I dont care what anyone says. Also, if someone like a Snoop Dogg had done the same thing at some awards show, everyone would be praising him and saying that he had some big balls to say that on LIVE television. Such a double standard.
Have you ever listened to The Zac Brown Band and the AWESOME vocals and HARMONIZING that they have? Personally, I think the music the kids listen to today is the reason for all of the violence we have and the hatred we have in this country. Have you listened to their music. Talking about fucking some “bitch” or “hoe” or getting some head. Killing someone, beating someone up. Getting even, robbing someone. What is that shit teaching our young kids today? I sure am glad that I am not a teenager these days, cuz I would NEVER fit in just due to the music!!! It is absolutely terrible! If my kids were of teenage years, I would be the “bitchy” mom, cuz I would not allow that in my home.
Zac Brown is a good person, their music is AWESOME, and I will be buying tickets to their concert here in BEAUTIFUL Chula Vista, California in September!! It will be the first time seeing them, so can hardly wait. So he said FUCK on LIVE television. It isn’t the first time that it has happened, and it sure as hell isn’t going to be the last. A lot of the Hip Hop awards have live performances, and they have to bleep out half of the song becuz of the language, so if this is about decent language, then u are barking up the wrong tree. And leave country music and especially Zac Brown alone!!!!!
June 5, 2019 @ 11:01 pm
I respect your opinion ,Lorie ….I don’t agree with it but I respect it .
”And leave country music and especially Zac Brown alone!!!!!”
Zac Brown is the FURTHEST thing from country music – I’m almost ceretain you know that – and it seems odd to see his name in your sentence above . We insult every REAL country artist , every up-coming young country singer , writer and/or musician and every COUNTRY music fan when we group the Kane Browns, the Keith Urbans and the Zac Browns in the same genre as Merle , George Strait and every artist true to country’s traditions from the writing to arrangements .
June 6, 2019 @ 10:40 am
If you know anything about music and if you’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing this band in person you would surely realize that they are great musicians and precise with everything they do. Songs are great with ma story behind each.
June 6, 2019 @ 3:20 am
He just got divorced. Every guy going through that is crazy. I don’t think he should have said it either. Great performers, great shows, and I’m still gonna be. Like most artist , he needs to just perform and shut the “fkup.”
June 6, 2019 @ 10:03 am
His song Someone That I Used to Know is about depression and PTSD so I think there is some truth to this.
June 6, 2019 @ 2:03 pm
Blake Shelton is now more country than Zac Brown Band.
You can close the door on your way Zac.
September 8, 2019 @ 1:47 am
B Sheldons is fortunate that he got lucky in the music industry. Today his writers and songs lack caring empathy passion or concern for people in general he’s missing the boat and trying to convey that. Unlike musicians like Zac Brown who actually communicates the experiences of pain and suffering with their , heart and soul, of which is evident in musicians that show vulnerability and talent.
Shelton is lazy and why should he be any different as he is getting paid millions season after season in is he Voice…. more talent. and is real are to have crappy song writers bc he continues to make millions of dollars season after season . Which begs the question didn’t even really care about Miranda but it doesn’t matter but she clearly ishe makes millions out the voice season after season so why should we care. and/or the songs he chooses to sing are not heartfelt and don’t feel like real country music More like the way they just get through this song so you can make money and royalties and why Siri is getting paid millions and millions of dollars from being on the Voice season after season.
So why should he care where as people like Zac Brown and other starving artists have to bust their ass just to survive. Miranda Lambert is the talented and gifted brain of their times together and he was fortunate yet Oblivious to her talent and what he could learn from her. though has not yet learned the ya was the cog in the wheel that Sheldons motor and notoriety used to know it’s all about making big bucks for him now if you want to talk someone I can be a real crooner has Jeff and that lyrics in songs he chooses then his name is
September 22, 2019 @ 9:45 pm
Proof read. It works.
December 13, 2021 @ 9:50 pm
Ain’t that the truth..
June 10, 2019 @ 7:46 am
I agree. KIf these people can’t make it here, then please go elsewhere. We want to hear true Country not mush-mash.
June 5, 2019 @ 9:05 pm
Wow spot on !
June 5, 2019 @ 9:19 pm
So glad I decided against watching this with the kids. It’s so sad that country music has gotten so low. My kids love country music but it makes me think twice about them listening to it. What happened to the morals in country music? I also love rock music but am very selective with what I let my kids listen to. I guess I am going to have to use the same discretion with country. This moment may be an all time low for mainstream country.
June 6, 2019 @ 4:58 am
Morals in country music? Drinking, smoking, drugs, cheating, killing, divorce, and that’s just what some country artists do in their spare time.
June 6, 2019 @ 8:37 am
Yeah but as long as they mix in a little Jesus here and there I’ll still allow my kids to listen to it.
June 6, 2019 @ 9:08 am
That Jesus who judges everybody but you.
June 6, 2019 @ 10:31 am
That’s funny…Seriously? That was stupid..
June 6, 2019 @ 10:37 am
It’s great music. Do you allow them to listen to rap?
June 5, 2019 @ 9:24 pm
You obviously are a huge Luke Bryan and FGL fan and that’s great. No offense. ZAC IS IN A CLASS OF HIS OWN. The guy has played next to Leon Russell, James Taylor, Elton John, Richie Sambora, Buffet, Dave Grohl, and even fucking Mickey Mouse. He said this for people like you. You are the people he told to get fucked. Get fucked.
June 5, 2019 @ 9:31 pm
“You obviously are a huge Luke Bryan and FGL fan…”
Damn. Busted.
June 6, 2019 @ 1:34 am
Trig, is this like when you post a Kane Brown article and people come out of the woodworks with their assumptions? Some of these comments have me scratching my head.
June 6, 2019 @ 7:36 am
Yes. Basically this Zac Brown moment and the CMT Awards has passive fans who would otherwise never stick their nose in a dedicated music site crashing them to defend his honor. These comments sections are a democracy though, and they have a right to say their peace, however misinformed they are.
June 5, 2019 @ 9:47 pm
I LOVE your reply!! Zac Brown IS in a class all alone. As a matter of fact, I will be buying tickets to their concert here in San Diego for their concert in September. First time seeing them LIVE and i can hardly wait. I wanted to see them when they played here with The Eagles, but couldn’t afford tickets. Not this time around!!!! Zac Brown rocks!!!!
June 6, 2019 @ 3:32 pm
One thing to always know is the band called Eagles, is not The Eagles. Eagles should never have the capital T in the when naming the band “Eagles”, for they are not The Eagles, it just Eagles. The Eagles is a band from the late 50’s, which are no longer around.
June 7, 2019 @ 5:25 am
You must be fun at parties…
June 6, 2019 @ 5:17 am
Zach’s class of his own requires a short bus to find.
June 6, 2019 @ 11:17 pm
Respectfully requesting that folks drop the “short bus” comments. I’m no fan of Zac’s speech, and I’m not the PC police.
The fact remains that the kids who do ride short busses to school don’t need a bunch of adults making an insult out of them. And, for whatever else he’s done, good or bad, ZB has worked to benefit children with disabilities.
From a story in 2008 at https://www.specialbridge.com/zac-brown-camp-southern-ground/
Camp Southern Ground will serve children and teens from ages 7 to 17 with autism, dyslexia, Asperger syndrome, Tourette syndrome, Down syndrome and other disabilities. As a previous camp councilor himself, Zac Brown personally does not have children or immediate family with disabilities, but has years of experience with his closest friends and extended family who have faced various issues. The Zac Brown Band has been using income earned on their recent tours to help fund the camp.
June 6, 2019 @ 5:53 am
Ah, yes, Elton John and Mickey Mouse, those country music LEGENDS.
June 6, 2019 @ 8:21 am
Gina, you’re new here, aren’t you?
June 6, 2019 @ 9:28 am
He played with fucking Mickey Mouse? Shit, I bet Merle Haggard never got to play with fucking Mickey Mouse.
June 6, 2019 @ 12:19 pm
Why are you mis-quoting him? Getting fucked can have a slightly different meaning.
June 5, 2019 @ 9:35 pm
Just like The Band Perry… started out great, and then went off the rails.
June 5, 2019 @ 9:53 pm
I just don’t understand why Zac Brown is so mad.. I thought he was the Dave Matthews chill, hippy dippy sort. I don’t get the chip his shoulder. Is he not selling tickets to his shows anymore? If that’s not the problem, it soon will be if he keeps that up. I personally didn’t realize he had haters. Now that he has my attention I have to decide. Should I hate him? Damn you Zac Brown!!
June 6, 2019 @ 6:14 am
For real thought he was singing for Dave Matthews band when I saw 5 seconds of the video
June 5, 2019 @ 9:58 pm
Zac Brown is coming to Chula Vista, California in September, and I WILL be there!
That isn’t the first time that has happened on TV, and it won’t be the last. I suppose everyone is gonna boycott them just like with the Dixie Chicks. They were taken off of the radio stations cuz they said they were ashamed that George W. Bush was from the same state as them!! COMPLETELY BANNED FROM BEING PLAYED ON THE AIR WAVES! But, look at where we are today. We have THE BIGGEST PIECE OF SHIT PRESIDENT in office, who famous people talk about ALL THE TIME, but no backlash! If this was a black person or someone from a HIP HOP band saying this, people would be praising and agreeing with them!!!!! Such a double standard in this country. Once again, someone from the country music genre is being bad mouthed for saying a bad word on TV. All of these people that are commenting that they wouldnt have watched with their kids? Give me a fucking( yes I said fucking) break. I guarantee that this was not the first time these kids of these prudish parents heard this word! The parents probably say it all the time!!!! So, leave Zac Brown alone and go listen to his music. You definitely will not find those words anywhere in his music. Not like in HIP HOP music. Every other word is a cuss word. Cant shield them forever! Sorry. Wake up to reality, dude!!!!!!
June 6, 2019 @ 4:27 am
Good lord lorie
June 6, 2019 @ 5:01 am
I see what you did there.
June 6, 2019 @ 1:33 pm
My wife and I have been to several of His concerts and love His music however there is a time and place for everything and that was not the tome or place. If you want to talk with a trashy mouth don’t do it on live TV were little children are watching. Watch would Carrie Underworld think knowing that Her children we watching to see Their Mother on TV
June 6, 2019 @ 5:31 am
I see what you did there, Travis. Well played…
June 6, 2019 @ 6:15 am
Best reply
June 6, 2019 @ 8:36 am
Outstanding.
June 6, 2019 @ 8:41 am
Midway leader for comment of the year.
June 6, 2019 @ 10:13 am
Travis, I was just about to post the exact same comment. It was the first thing that popped into my head. I guarantee that Lori doesn’t get the reference!
June 10, 2019 @ 11:46 am
Lol guaranteed wayyy over her head
June 8, 2019 @ 2:13 pm
Could it go more wrong? ????
June 6, 2019 @ 4:45 am
I thought I may be able to skim over your post by losing reading the CAPITOL LETTERS, boy was I wrong. It makes less sense than Zac brown does lady.
June 6, 2019 @ 9:52 am
Apparently the street team is out in force.
June 6, 2019 @ 2:04 pm
Lorie, I can’t speak for others, but when I see all caps, I tune out and don’t catch anything else you have to say. Yelling is a way of admitting you don’t have much to say.
June 6, 2019 @ 6:29 pm
I get the feeling that Lorie rides that short bus with Zac to the “class of his own”?
June 5, 2019 @ 10:01 pm
Man, the Stans sure sniffed this one out quickly. Yikes!
June 5, 2019 @ 10:45 pm
Is that a dog whistle about Zac’s massive cocaine habit? Lol
June 6, 2019 @ 4:56 am
I couldn’t figure out how ZBB won this fan voted award, especially since they were up against the innocuously bland pop stylings of the mainstream darling Old Dominion. I didn’t realize the stanning for ZBB was so strong!
June 5, 2019 @ 10:04 pm
Well, this is what our new generation has turned into and we need to learn to accept it. Mainstream television has allowed previous censorship to run freely onto every channel. They’ve gone as far as to make Family Feud not Family friendly. I’m no saint and my language is not as clean as one would believe…but there is a time and a place for everything. And, while I am not offended by “inappropriate” language of any caliber, it is best to sometimes use the thesaurus and more widely accepted verbiage to get not the same “response” but send the same message. With that, I wish you all a great #, night !
June 5, 2019 @ 10:46 pm
Zac’s comments towards FGL years back was Straight up savage and was praised including myself. This came across as Zac trying to still put out the “Outlaw “ vibe to offset some of bad decisions made. Zac is now a seasoned veteran artist in a crowded field of new artists coming off the Music row Assembly line. every time Zac comes to Houston.. I go out to the Woodlands Pavilion. Big fan and I have turned my head on some of the EDM stuff.. because I am a fan. Sturgill will probably put out a straight up Rock album and I am stoked as F.. I would listen to Sturgill sing the instructions to a barf bag .. because he will perform like no else can.. genius
June 6, 2019 @ 1:50 am
I think he’s positioning himself to be a part of the traditional sweep that always happens in country, every 10-15 years. Randy gave him some props in the autobiography. I think Zac’s musical heart is in the right place, but he sold out to music row and this comment is in mia culpa of sorts. “I did what I had to do for my career, but don’t follow in my footsteps. Do it country, bring in the sweep, and I want to be a part of it”
June 6, 2019 @ 2:26 am
Wow… thank you for demonstrating exactly the kind of people Zac Brown was talking about! Obviously this is your opinion, I don’t know or really care how you know so much about the country music industry to have a platform, but this just reads like a news piece on politics, one sided and personal. Thank God artists like Zac Brown Band and others keep making their own music the way they want and the fans love and not some spoon fed genre you think everyone should follow.
June 6, 2019 @ 3:03 am
Not that this show didn’t suck, but I will never understand the American hysteria in the face of profanity.
June 6, 2019 @ 7:45 am
I was not personally offended by Zac Brown’s F-bomb. In fact I would like to think of myself as a connoisseur of profanity, and employ it often. It’s HOW Zac Brown used the F-word that offends me, which is loosely, without meaning or merit, and simply as a publicity stunt. It takes the punch out of that word.
And even though I wasn’t offended by the word itself, I do respect, and have always respected the desires of both parents and older, more traditional folks who do not want to interface with profanity. CMT marked this presentation as family friendly. It wasn’t due to Zac Brown. That’s being disingenuous, and irresponsible.
June 6, 2019 @ 10:57 am
Profanity is only profanity because we decided it’s profanity. I commented on a Wheeler Walker post once that I think part of the reason he rubs people the wrong is he is just saying what we all are thinking when someone sings a song with coded language. Fuck you bitch is just a break up song. How is the general message different than Taylor Swifts “Picture to burn” or Keith Urban’s “You’ll think of me” or hell, “Your cheating heart”. Same thing with profanity…we teach little kids it’s ok to go “what the heck!” but if they say “what the hell” it’s wrong. They mean the same thing, we just decided one is worse than the other. It’s completely arbitrary.
June 6, 2019 @ 11:17 am
I agree it can be totally arbitrary. Tim McGraw had a song called “Truck Yeah!” like we didn’t all know what the ‘T’ was substituting for. But I still want to respect everyone’s boundaries if possible, especially when it comes to kids. If people don’t want their children exposed to that kind of language, I respect that. CMT and Zac Brown didn’t.
February 26, 2022 @ 9:05 am
I love you zac brown band you are the best Singer I even got your albums and your shirts see now you see that I am I big fan so I love you so much love you!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 6, 2019 @ 3:14 am
Well then, I reckon Zac Brown just told me to f-off on live TV. Oh well.
June 6, 2019 @ 3:32 am
That f-bomb was most certainly pointed you. But he has also earned the criticism as of late. And this is coming from a long time fan, and early supporter. The most entertaining part of this post are dummies defending ZBB. It’s almost like they were waiting for you to say something.
June 6, 2019 @ 4:39 am
Making innovative music that wins fans and draws praise from the critics is the best revenge.
Absent the ability to do that, Zac Brown took the juvenile route and chose to swear on cable TV.
June 6, 2019 @ 4:57 am
Why is he trying to stay relevant to a genre he is increasingly moving away from? Just go Zac, and take all the minions with you. Some of us were here wayyyyy before you were, and will be so after you are gone.
June 6, 2019 @ 5:15 am
Sounds like his Stans would have us believe ZB is still chicken fried.
June 6, 2019 @ 5:18 am
I can’t think of another artist who started as high (quality wise) as Zach Brown and has now sunk this low. They used to be one of, if not my favorite band in mainstream country, and now I don’t even care. I haven’t bough an album of theirs since Uncaged.
June 6, 2019 @ 5:57 am
No matter what! You will have haters and lovers. I happened to be a big fan of their music and don’t really care about the drama. I will be at his concert this Saturday night and I am beyond excited to hear the old and the new .
June 6, 2019 @ 10:31 am
I don’t think anyone here is a hater of ZBB, just kinda confused… He was trying to sound edgy but telling the haters to F off; I’ve never really heard anyone hate on ZBB except to fairly critique their newer songs. And it wasn’t even all that vehemently.
June 6, 2019 @ 5:58 am
I’ve always felt ZBB was disingenuous right out of the gate. They have continued to prove my gut was correct. He doesn’t care one bit about country music.
June 6, 2019 @ 6:09 am
I DVR’d it to watch today..no..fast forward through today, only because of a couple people I wanted to see..Brandi, Tanya, Ashley.. but I didn’t have to see any of it to know this article is on the money. Why don’t they just start their own crappy genre of music and leave country alone? Maybe I’m getting crotchety in my old age. But this is getting ridiculous. Dropping the F Bomb on national television was Zac Browns equivalent of swearing and smoking to make your peeps think you belong. Cause, yanno, they’re going out clubbing later, and he doesn’t want to be left home watching Lawrence Welk reruns with his mother.
June 6, 2019 @ 12:13 pm
Were you born in the morning late October San Antone by chance? I’ll take this Lori’s music any day over the one further up in the comments!
June 7, 2019 @ 12:41 pm
No, I sure wasn’t, but I am a singer/songwriter. Is there another of me in San Antonio? God forbid ????
June 6, 2019 @ 6:12 am
Am I the only one who thought he was a cornball to begin with? “Chicken fried” seems like a perfect example of the type of songwriting so rightly criticized on this site as “cultural markers in list form”. I haven’t heard any of his recent stuff but maybe I’ve always been a hater
June 6, 2019 @ 7:05 am
If edgy Zac really wanted to “stand up against the machine”, he would’ve skipped the awards show entirely and declined his trophy instead of carrying out his staged act of phony rebellion.
Lame.
June 6, 2019 @ 7:05 am
Music is music. Music is personal. So, make music not war. Go buy a Steve Earle album, but not if fuck offends you.
June 6, 2019 @ 7:54 pm
Love me some Steve Earle!
June 6, 2019 @ 7:12 am
Trying to look young and striving for attention. He should go home and help his wife raise all those little ones they’ve had every year for how many years. Guess she finally gave him a Boy and she got divorce papers…..
June 6, 2019 @ 7:18 am
Miranda Lambert’s filthy mouth is no better, yet nobody is throwing rotten tomatoes at her! She’s a stepmother, talk about family friendly!
June 6, 2019 @ 7:47 am
Missed when Miranda dropped an F-bomb at an awards show I guess.
June 6, 2019 @ 10:33 am
@TMV Does marrying a man with kids make you family friendly?
June 6, 2019 @ 1:41 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjO1F6oCab8
June 6, 2019 @ 7:24 am
If you don’t like country music why did you write this article. Florida Georgia Line uses so much electronic crap it’s no longer country. Zac Brown is unique and talented.
June 6, 2019 @ 10:19 am
Spit some Diet Pepsi on my keyboard reading this.
June 7, 2019 @ 12:48 pm
Omg its Karen again. Its always a Karen.
June 6, 2019 @ 7:44 am
The comments of shock and horror remind me of the South Park episode concerning swearing on TV.
Shitty shitty bang bang, shitty shitty bang bang..
June 7, 2019 @ 5:34 pm
You know Laurie, I was merely commenting on the author of the article. If they don’t like country music they should request another assignment and maybe do the Grammy’s instead of all the hate that went into the article. I didn’t insult anyone else who left a comment unlike you.
June 6, 2019 @ 8:08 am
It’s just a word f-boom so what it’s like screw or whatever slang is taking to personal word’s are used wrong all the time THIS is American way fya all with Luv
June 6, 2019 @ 8:51 am
Whelp. This comment section is a train wreck. We have everything from Zac stans losing their absolute mind to pious morality demands in country music (SERIOUSLY?) to a flat out strange and totally unrelated dragging of Miranda Lambert.
I think a lot of people missed what I took to be the point of this article… Zac has gone off the rails recently, and this is just one more example of it.
Dropping an accidental F bomb in excitement is understandable. Telling haters to fuck off in a planned speech at an awards show is a pitiful attempt to seem like a badass.
June 6, 2019 @ 9:30 am
I tuned in at the beginning of the show, just to give it a chance. Didn’t wanna diss on something I hadn’t bothered trying to watch. I didn’t get to see much of the show though, my HDMI cable knew better. Got an error signal, and lost my feed. Had to reboot the whole system to fix it. It was an omen… don’t watch the the CMT Awards, watch an old Star Trek rerun instead.
June 6, 2019 @ 9:51 am
So many small minded people in here, it is sad.
I 100% agree that 70% of the music on country music radio is NOT “traditional” country music. And I think a good portion is not “country” in any way, shape or form.
But do you really think the artist are the ones responsible for that? You dont think the industry is responsible for that? You think the people that are listening to that music aren’t making that choice for them?
If I had my own band, and had to choose between “being country” and making millions upon million of dollars or being labeled in a different genre (like “adult contemporary”) and making little money and struggling to raise my family…. I think I make that call very quickly and easily.
What you guys are mad about i that your traditional “Country music” genre is being redefined and that bothers you for some reason. I’m not sure why. The same thing happened when My parents were young and when my grandparents were young. It happens in every generation… they just didn’t have a website to broadcast their bitch about. They probably just complained to one another.
I think your anger and hatred is very misdirected. And just sitting one this site bitching about it without actually doing something about it is just pathetic. Crying babies.
Maybe start hating the music industry execs and radio stations instead of the artists. They are sitting back behind the curtain collecting boat load of cash while you sit here and take out your ignorant hatred on the people that are not the cause.
IMO, ZBB is not a traditional country band. But they are very very talented. I do think they stray away from their traditional core or what people know them for, but that doesn’t make them any less of a artist(s). Artist are weird people, but that’s what makes them so successful. They think and act different than the rest of us. Thats what gives them the ability to see things so differently than the rest of us.
Painters, sculptors, poets, writers, singer, etc… all crazy. Wackos.
How many of you people have a multi-million dollar band or company? did you start something and turn it into a huge success? No? Didn’t think so.
“Jealousy is the highest form of flattery.”
June 6, 2019 @ 10:35 am
Just to point out, but it’s “imitation is the highest form of flattery.”
June 6, 2019 @ 10:48 am
Yes. I stand corrected.
June 6, 2019 @ 10:47 am
I must have missed the “anger” and “hatred”. I don’t personally have a problem with Zac Brown. He will always have a place in my heart for that time he said one of Luke Bryan’s singles something like it “was the worst fucking thing he ever heard”…. I’m not going to take the time to look up the exact quote. Zac was a spot on hero that day. He can do what he wants obviously but he has proven he can make better use of his F bombs.
June 6, 2019 @ 11:00 am
Plenty of hating going on in the article and in the comments. I can post quotes if you’d like.
I agree the F bomb wasn’t the best, and I enjoyed his quote about Like Bryan as well… but everyone just pilling on about how un-country he is and blah blah blah is just lame.
I do think there should be a “southern rock” or something along those lines for a lot of the artist these days. ZBB, Keith Urban, etc.
and even more just need to be placed into the Pop genre: Thomas Rhett, Maren Morris, and 70% of the others.
But that shouldn’t diminish their music or their talents. I’m not a fan of 50%, but I’m not gonna just start spewing hate on a comment board just because I don’t like their music.
Trigger clearly doesn’t like ZBB or CMA and that’s fine. But if you don’t want them associated with country music, why even write and post an article about them? Ignoring it all together would be more effective I think.
June 6, 2019 @ 11:26 am
For years I defended Zac Brown as one of the few beacons of light in the mainstream. He kept his music rootsy and would perform old school country music covers. This is all about the music, and the music Zac Brown is making and releasing right now is nowhere near “Southern Rock.” He’s gone full blown rap and EDM with his last few songs, and said point blank himself his new record won’t be country. If he wants to be pop, rap, EDM, whatever, that’s his prerogative. But don’t then accept a COUNTRY award for an EDM song and then hard cuss me as a hater just because I question the legitimacy of it all. I gave a positive review to Zac Brown’s “Welcome Home.” I praised him covering Jason Isbell’s “Dress Blues.” I call them as I see them, and right now, Zac Brown is skidding off the rails and laying F-bombs for attention, and it’s an embarrassment to himself and country music.
I appreciate you’re a fan, and loyalty country for something. But this was a bad moment in my opinion.
June 7, 2019 @ 4:17 am
Trigger- I do agree that they have strayed far from anything that would resemble country, and clearly this award is just a corp shame that goes to the highest bidder. I’m sure his label/manager set it up. I don’t believe that he campaigned for it. I could be wrong though. And yes, he could decline it just as easily. But I think it is a smart decision to accept and award to stay relevant. I cannot explain why he then uses it to drop an Fbomb. I can only assume something pissed him off recently. All speculation obviously.
I don’t think the song is EDM though. I think that’s just taking it to an extreme.
PS- my comments are not a personal attach on you either. I do think the article is well written. I mostly aim my comments towards the other commenters that prob won’t read it anyway.
June 6, 2019 @ 10:24 pm
most of it is just NOT good music . that’s not to say that some of these folks aren’t talented . but they are not ‘artists’ or ‘wackos ‘ . particularly the ones , as you say ( paraphrasing ), who ‘are not to blame cuz they are just towing the company line to be successful .
that’s pretty much the exact opposite of how a real artist thinks and operates .
i don’t care what kind of music ZBB or anyone else on the planet makes . I care that they call it ‘ country ‘ while REAL country singers and writers are progressively marginalized by the outlets buying into that misnomer af finding it more and more difficult to make an honest living playing the REAL stuff . ZBB , Urban , Aldean etc will jump on whatever trend is selling this week . THAT , with all respect my friend , is NOT an artist . That is , simply , an opportunist .
June 7, 2019 @ 4:30 am
You can be an artist and an opportunist at the same time.
ZBB are artist IMO, but they may not be in yours.
I like their earlier music because they were so different than everyone else.
They had like 6+ members in the band, and actually violinist, 2 different percussionist, and Zac actually played guitar.
I see Luke B as a performer. Many of his song he does not write. He doesn’t play an instrument (on stage or while performing) there for I see him as a performer, not an artist.
I’m not a fan of LBs music, but I do think he be a cool guy and I’d party with him anytime. I do have respect for him and why he’s been able to create for himself. I just care much for the music.
Same as Taylor Swift. Can’t stand the music but I appreciate her song writing abilities and how well she’s done for herself.
That’s what I mean about haters. It seems like if they aren’t traditional country artist that don’t have a major music contract than they’re phonies.
I just don’t see it that way. Especially ZBB. If you think this new direction of music is selling out, you couldn’t be more wrong. It got no play, the sales are probably waaay down. They’re doing what they feel like. They’re expressing themselves (good or bad) in whatever way they want. That to me, IS being an artist. Not a corp Guinea pig.
But we’re all entitled to our opinions I guess
June 6, 2019 @ 10:57 am
Eloquent, but basically another presumptuous “y’all just jealous” comment. Been reading them here for years.
June 6, 2019 @ 11:01 am
Doesn’t make it less true
June 6, 2019 @ 2:14 pm
Then how do you justify Zac’s dressing down of Luke Bryan? Why is it OK to make fun of Luke’s shitty song but not Zac’s shitty song? “That’s My Kind of Night” and “Beautiful Drug” are pretty much on the same level of shitty.
Zac’s direct quote is “There’s songs out there on the radio right now that make me be ashamed to be even in the same format as some other artists.” It stands to reason that he could leave the format, take his immense talent elsewhere, and make any other genre of music he likes. That is not sarcasm, he is obviously an extremely talented musician. It’s also not unrealistic- in fact it’s exactly what he is choosing to do. If you are going to argue that Zac is just a better artist than Luke, I will remind you of your own question- do you have a multi-million dollar band?
You are criticizing people who care about a thing, give it thoughtful consideration, and share their thoughts with others who also ostensibly care. You’re more than welcome to your dissenting opinion. The fact that you took the time to type it while calling us pathetic and small-minded for doing the same is rather hilarious.
P.S. I’m not a huge fan or foe of either of these musicians. Both have sung songs I love, and songs I think stink. You’re right, the industry has a lot to do with what gets distributed. Lucky for us we can shut it off if we don’t like it.
June 6, 2019 @ 10:17 am
I wonder why Tweety Bird exchanged the toboggan for a top hat? Maybe the profuse sweating got old?
June 6, 2019 @ 12:17 pm
I love that you you’re obsessed with his toboggan!
June 6, 2019 @ 10:29 am
So he got a participation trophy for a song that I have yet to hear on country radio….I didnt vote for his music to win and I’m not a fan of his and he did not need to say what he said …..he couldve just said thank you and been a gracious winner but all he made it out to be was I’m not getting enough attention in my life….and this people is just my opinion
June 7, 2019 @ 5:56 pm
If you listen to Sirius, it plays on the Highway
June 6, 2019 @ 10:34 am
I am typically for telling “haters”, “music row”…etc whoever needs it to f-off but as Trigger said, the scenario didn’t lend itself to it. He did not come off like the badass I believe he expected he would. As far as the comments from his fans, it is obvious they don’t ever look at this site or know anything about what goes in here. Beyond that though it is like they didn’t even really read the article and missed his point entirely.
June 6, 2019 @ 10:50 am
I must have missed the “anger” and “hatred”. I don’t personally have a problem with Zac Brown. He will always have a place in my heart for that time he said one of Luke Bryan’s singles something like it “was the worst fucking thing he ever heard”…. I’m not going to take the time to look up the exact quote. Zac was a spot on hero that day. He can do what he wants obviously but he has proven he can make better use of his F bombs.
June 6, 2019 @ 11:04 am
Oh all the cute little Zac Brown stans are out in full force with this one…..
I’ll break it down for you. This is not really about the F-bomb. This is about Zac trying to make a statement about keeping it real when he’s not even recognizable as the same performer who released “You Get What You Give” and the exceptional live album “Pass the Jar” almost 10 years ago. This is a guy who has spent the last 5 or so years chasing cheap trends in a desperate (and maybe cocaine fueled??) play for commercial relevance, all the while abandoning the sound/style that was earning him real artistic credibility and a reputation as one of the best live touring acts around.
This guy has an amazing group of live musicians behind him, and they are being forced to stand on stage and play drivel like “Someone I Used to Know” and “Beautiful Drug”. This is not the same Zac Brown that I witnessed live several times from 2008-2010. That Zac Brown had something special.
Also…..What’s with the top hat dude?!?
June 6, 2019 @ 11:28 am
I can’t really disagree with anything you said on this one. ZBB used to be my favorite but they haven’t made an album I’ve enjoyed since 2010. He’s right, he can make whatever music he wants, but I’ve lost total interest. I’ll take my dollars and spend it on an artist still putting out great music.
June 6, 2019 @ 12:22 pm
Trigger you mentioned his being desperate for attention, but CMT doubling down on it shows their desperation as well…
June 6, 2019 @ 12:51 pm
Agreed. They pushed it as the highlight of the show. Wouldn’t be surprised if the whole thing wasn’t premeditated and Zac had worked the whole thing out with them.
June 6, 2019 @ 12:56 pm
Not sure if ANYTHING would surprise me at this point.
June 6, 2019 @ 4:59 pm
It was as scripted as pro wrestling and this is just another episode of Malcolm Mclaren’s “cash from chaos” theory
June 6, 2019 @ 2:14 pm
Zac Brown is the Coke Zero of country music.
June 6, 2019 @ 3:01 pm
And aspartame is bad for you, kids.
June 6, 2019 @ 2:16 pm
This guy and his band aren’t a blip on my radar.
I bought one of their earlier CD’s and the sound they made did nothing for me.
Sounds like I haven’t missed much.
June 6, 2019 @ 2:26 pm
Zac began his career by telling the Nashville establishment to “Fuck Off”! So, this isn’t something new. He has been swimming upstream against the Nashville crowd his whole career, and deserves to get the last word. WELL PLAYED ZAC, we are proud of the person that you have become.
This is what Zac had to say about Joe Galante in 2006:
“We had this song Chicken Fried, we put it on a CD in ’05. This band, The Lost Trailers had called and said “We want to record Chicken Fried.” I was like “Well, I don’t have a problem with you recording the song, but this is our song. As long as you don’t release it to radio, if you want to have it on your record, I’m fine with that.” Then they get a record deal through Sony with this dude Joe Galante, who like, runs Nashville, basically. He said “THAT’S the single.” So The first time I hear “Chicken Fried” on the radio, it wasn’t us singing it. It was like, my worst nightmare. So I call my lawyer and was like “Dude, the fucking song is on the radio,” and then he says ya know, “Zac, what’s the deal with this?” He’s like, “You could get blackballed out of Nashville forever for not letting them record the song.” I was like, ya know “Fuck that, the dude told me he wouldn’t fucking do it, and then he did it!” So they had to call a cease-and-desist, they pulled it off the radio. I came to Nashville to play a show at 3rd and Lindsley and there was a dude in there, they were like “You know who that is? That’s the dude that’s had 40 Number 1’s with Alan Jackson and he’s like the dude, Keith Stegall. Keith had come out to hear me play. He sat down at the table, and he’s like, ya know staring down at his drink and he said “I had to meet the kid that told Joe Galante to fuck off.” And that was the beginning (of our relationship and commercial success).
June 6, 2019 @ 3:20 pm
Dear Dr. Joe, thank you for sharing your incredible story of your stepson’s history of rough and rowdy ways and his commitment to the integrity and tradition of country music. I am sure there are many people reading the near-hundred comments on this thread who share your deep belief in your stepson’s fundamentally outlaw nature.
But I do not. I believe your son is a talented musician with a good head for business. I do not believe he gives a damn about carrying forward the tradition of country music, which is what this site is thoroughly dedicated to promoting. If you would do us all a favor, would you kindly express yourself to people who run pop music stations around the country. I’m sure they will be receptive to your stepson’s evident enthusiasm for it, no matter how old he is, or how ridiculous a hat he wears in his touching attempt to appear “gangster.”
At least he has the vocabulary down.
Cordially,
Corncaster
June 6, 2019 @ 8:23 pm
From ZAC’s web page:
Zac Brown Band is a multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning, southern rock group lead by front man, Zac Brown along with Coy Bowles (guitar), Clay Cook (guitar), Chris Fryar (drums), Jimmy De Martini (fiddle), Daniel de los Reyes (percussion), Matt Mangano (bass guitar), and John Driskell Hopkins (bass guitar). Since their debut, Zac Brown Band has developed a reputation with critics and fans alike as one of the most dynamic live and studio acts, marked by strong musicianship and a creative range that defies genre
boundaries. The New York Times said it best when they described the band’s work as “a
huge amalgam of soft rock, country-rock, hard rock, heaviesh metal, big band music, bluegrass and, yes, a touch of electronic music,”.
Zac has never claimed to be a only a country artist, and his music actually has no set boundaries. It is not in his mission to carry the tradition of country music forward as much as some would like to see this happen. With his and his band’s talents their mission is to is to push the envelope and bring as many people to great music of any genre. It is not Zac’s job to save country music any more than it is to use a to use a Bugatti Veyron to deliver pizza.
June 7, 2019 @ 12:56 pm
You’re really Zac, arncha? ????
June 6, 2019 @ 4:13 pm
Let’s take a look at the headlines:
“Zac Brown tells haters to ‘f— off’ after CMT Music Awards win”
Patently false. Zac Brown didn’t “tell haters to fuck off.” He told young artists if they work hard etc., some day they could tell haters to fuck off.
“Zac Brown stuns crowd with expletive-laced message to ‘haters'”
Patently false. The “expletive-laced message” was addressed to young artists, not to haters. Also, does a single expletive a -laced message make?
“Zac Brown’s “F-Bomb” on the CMT Awards Was a Cry for Attention”
Patently, hilariously true.
June 6, 2019 @ 4:36 pm
Off topic, but a real musician died a short time ago.
Malcolm John Rebennack, better known as Dr. John, has died at age 77
June 6, 2019 @ 5:22 pm
I hate ZBB but at least you acknowledged the double standard if it would have been Sturgill/Isbell
June 6, 2019 @ 6:27 pm
If anybody needed to take s seat or three, it’s him. Plenty of awards. Some for mediocre music. Just hush. Lots of folks making good music have never won an award
June 6, 2019 @ 8:02 pm
Get ‘em Trig. Cussing is cheap, a shortcut to nowhere. Long live George Strait and classy gentlemen in country music. Guys like George Strait will never be forgotten. His songs will live forever. Guys like Zack Brown……wait, who?
June 6, 2019 @ 11:01 pm
The CMA awards were on last night?
June 7, 2019 @ 4:57 am
Anybody else remember that time Zac Brown went in on Luke Bryan’s “That’s My Kinda Night” and talked about what a travesty it was to country music and how he was ashamed to be part of the format? (not that he was wrong with any of those statements) But to my memory I don’t think this dude has done a song that was country since that day. Which almost seems like it would take more effort to be that far away than to accidentally have another country song.
June 7, 2019 @ 7:32 am
https://savingcountrymusic.com/zac-brown-says-luke-bryans-thats-my-kind-of-night-worst-song-ever/
June 7, 2019 @ 8:59 am
I have always liked Zac Brown. But I will say I was not happy about the f bomb being bleeped out. Watching the awards with my 12 yr old son. Not something I wanted him to hear.
June 7, 2019 @ 9:44 am
Even putting the profanity aside, the idea that you should work hard so you can be on an awards show some day and tell the people who doubted you what you really think is not a great message for kids. It’s petty and spiteful, and a puerile approach to work and life.
June 7, 2019 @ 10:19 am
Good point Zuma.
June 8, 2019 @ 8:36 am
I find it’s very heart warming to think Mr Brown would take the time to share his thoughts in such an eloquent manner….
“Gosh, Great Great Grand Daddy Zac…could you please give me some of your wisdom ?”
“Sure, kid….. Tell the haters to F off !!!!” (brings a tear to my eye !) (really)
Also, I watched the CMT twitter video…and I must say, The Bearded Fat Guys in Funny Hats Band is one my favorite singing groups !!!!!
June 8, 2019 @ 12:38 pm
Fuck you and your hypocritical judgements. You’re the last person who should be chastising someone for their potty mouth. You should change your gay online handle to Click-bait Trig.
June 8, 2019 @ 1:22 pm
Seth,
I appreciate your readership, and for the most part, I appreciate your contributions to these comments sections. However sometimes you get agitated and become very abusive to other commenters, and disrespect the spirit of these comment sections and don’t focus on the matters and had, or appear to use these comments sections as a launching pad for unrequited anger. Unfortunately, I cannot allow this behavior because it is detrimental to the site. All of your comments are welcome here as long as you are contributing to the conversation. Please appreciate my perspective, and the perspective of other readers and commenters when they request that your respect the spirit of these comment sections.
Thanks,
–Kyle “Trigger”
June 8, 2019 @ 4:49 pm
Sir Seth of Sampasas,
Verily I say unto ye…..Behold….this be the 1st time I seeth “potty mouth” and “gay” in the sameth decree….Goodth Jobth…..
June 9, 2019 @ 6:04 am
Swearing is not a hip-hop affectation. Cursing doesn’t bring you closer to it. It’s such a bizarre, vaguely discriminatory thing to say.
Outlaws are not the only country artists permitted to swear. Censorship and family-friendliness are by-products of TV and radio companies wanting safe, palatable material that can appeal to a wide audience. Yodel boy singing a Hank Williams song about a slut is more authentically country than child-proofed TV.
June 9, 2019 @ 12:59 pm
They started out as a good band, songs like “Toes” “Chicken Fried” and “Highway 29” were all good songs but as someone said earlier, they jumped the shark like The Band Perry, whether or not he’ll admit to it, he’s become part of that “machine” he’s supposed to be raging against. When will Nashville wake up and stop chasing that audience, that doesn’t listen to or even like country music?
June 9, 2019 @ 1:22 pm
He used to be good, what the hell happened? Not too long ago he criticized Luke Bryan for his song “My Kinda Night” for being such a crappy song and that the bro-country sound was churning out such crappy music and how he was ashamed to be associated with it, (Not that the statement(s) he made at the time weren’t true.) but what has Zac Brown done lately? The exact same thing he accused Luke Bryan of…He’s now become part of that machine he’s supposed to be raging against, very hypocritical and very sad. When will Nashville wake up and STOP chasing that audience that never listened to or even likes country music in the first place?
October 28, 2023 @ 7:02 am
Hmmmmm.EDM.Is Zac Brown the first (only ? ) Country act to get into EDM ? No wonder his career tanked.