Zachry Alexander Brown[1] (born July 31, 1978) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He is best known as the co-founder and lead singer of the country Zac Brown Band, as well as electronic dance music group Sir Rosevelt.[2] In 2019, Brown released a pop surprise album titled The Controversy.[3]
Early life
Brown was raised on Lake Lanier by his mother, Bettye, and stepfather Dr. Jody Moses, a dentist in Cumming, Georgia. The eleventh of twelve children, Brown attended Mashburn Elementary School in Cumming; Lakeview Academy in Gainesville, Georgia; and South Forsyth High School in Cumming. He later moved to Dahlonega, Georgia, at age 17, where he graduated from Lumpkin County High School. Brown was given his mother's guitar at age 8, and one of his stepfather's patients was enlisted to teach him classical guitar. He completed two years of lessons, but soon after developed a love for bluegrass music while playing with his father and brother on weekend visits. In his mid-teens, Brown spent almost a year being tutored by a vocal coach from his church.
While still in high school, with James Taylor as his inspiration, Brown began playing solo gigs in local venues, performing country and pop cover songs. Brown attended the University of West Georgia, where he became a member of the Zeta Kappa chapter of the Kappa Alpha Order fraternity. He was also a camp counselor at Camp Mikell in Toccoa, Georgia, and Camp Glisson, a United Methodist summer camp and retreat center located in Dahlonega.[4][5] Brown later founded Camp Southern Ground, a 501c3 nonprofit camp in Fayetteville, Georgia.[6]
Other ventures
In 2017, Brown made an investment into the Stillhouse Creek Distillery in Lumpkin County, Georgia, which was later rebranded the Z. Brown Distillery.[7] The distillery closed down on November 18, 2018.[8][9]
Brown founded Southern Grind Knives, a knife company based out of Peachtree City, Georgia. The company specializes in hard-use tactical knives.
Personal life
In 2016, Brown was involved in an early morning drug bust at the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in Palm Beach, Florida.[11][12][13] Although Brown was not arrested, police arrested four other individuals for marijuana and cocaine, and found Brown in possession of prescription pills.[14][15] Reports stated that there were three strippers in the room at the time of the arrests.[16] Reports also state that the Palm Beach Police Officers did not name Brown in their report because they were fans of his music.[17] Brown later apologized saying that he was, "at the wrong place at the wrong time."[13]
In 2018, Brown and his wife Shelly ended their 12-year marriage. They have four daughters and a son.[18]
