Rural Route Music by Bluegrass Johnson 

 

Occasionally I discover a singer or band who, through their music, somehow knows my whole life’s history; what makes me happy, or sad; what makes me smile. Their music just strikes a chord, if you will pardon the pun.

Zac Brown does that for me. The Zac Brown Band has such a solid country sound with a little bluegrass seasoning mixed in and great harmonies. But their songs hit home and describe a way of life that is so familiar to me – and, from the looks of their popularity, to millions of other fans.

What surprised me the most about the Brown Band, which has a home base in Atlanta, Ga., is how long they have been making music. In doing a little research I discovered Brown began his days on the road back in 2002 and to date, the group has released seven albums, two of which are live (my favorite).

Their music is about home and family, fried chicken and cold beer, being free, the love of a mother and overcoming tough times. And while I could say those same things about other artists’ music, these folks deliver it in such a way as to really make me feel it.

One of my favorite ZBB songs is called “Highway 20 Ride.” It’s is about a divorced father driving every other week to get his son and how much he loves the child. In trying to explain to the boy why he and his mother are not together, Brown hits home what many fathers in that position feel.

I have been there and it’s not an easy conversation to have, but this song speaks well to the pain a family goes through in a situation like this and I honestly tear up every time I hear it.

It’s this kind of emotion the ZBB can evoke from the listener – not just from those sad songs, but from hits that paint a picture of good times, like “Chicken Fried” and “Toes.”

Brown has one of those voices that just makes you feel good, a blend of music that makes you want to dance and lyrics everyone can relate to. What more can you ask from an artist?

For making me smile, laugh and cry, I give the Zac Brown Band a big 99, A. Oh, and check out their latest single called “Homegrown,” another great song with a classic line: “I’ve got everything I need and nothing that I don’t.”

Bluegrass Johnson comes from a long line of country music performers and enjoys a passion for the rhythm and melody. From the hills of Kentucky, he will offer his opinions on a variety of new country music each week. Readers with questions or comments may write to Johnson in care of this publication.