Zach Bryan doesn't like his “country musician” label

Put him in a box and musician Zach Bryan will try to break out of it.

Although the 28-year-old rising star has won several country music awards in the last two years, he isn't interested in being called a “country musician.”

In a candid conversation with Bruce Springsteen for Rolling Stone, Bryan explained why being limited to one genre of music bothers him.

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Zach Bryan has skyrocketed in fame over the past two years. (Scott Legato/Getty Images)

Bryan prefaced his bold remarks by comparing his perception of his music to the world's perception of Springsteen's.

“When I hear your music, I think, 'If you produce this any other way, it's a country song,'” Bryan told Springsteen, who agreed with the assessment.

“That’s why I don’t want to be a country musician,” he continued.

Zach Bryan says he doesn't like being limited to the label of “country musician.” (Keith Griner/Getty Images)

“I don’t want to be a country musician. Everyone calls me that. I want to be a songwriter, and you’re a songwriter through and through,” he told the 20-time Grammy winner.

“Nobody calls Bruce Springsteen – I hate to use your name in front of you – but nobody calls Bruce Springsteen a fucking rock musician, and you are one, but you're also an indie musician, you're also a country musician.” You are all these things combined in one man. And that's what songwriting is all about.

This is how Bryan wants to be received: a musician of all genres.

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Zach Bryan told Bruce Springsteen that he was a “hero” because he couldn't be pigeonholed into any particular style of music. (Mike Lewis Photography/Redferns/Getty Images)

“Nobody ever came up to you and said you were on any trail,” Bryan told Springsteen, calling him his “hero.”

“I don’t want to be a country musician.”

– Zach Bryan

Zach Bryan is currently on “The Quittin Time Tour.” (Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images)

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In 2022, he shared similar sentiments with The New York Times, naming Springsteen one of several artists whose careers he wanted to reflect. “I think people understand that it’s not me,” Bryan said of his career as a country singer. “I want to be in that environment of Springsteen, Kings of Leon and Ed Sheeran at the very beginning.”

He also reiterated how important songwriting is to success in the industry.

“Songwriting is such a big part of it. …If you miss it, what the hell are you doing? You're just performing. You’re an actor.”

Zach Bryan and his girlfriend Brianna LaPaglia perform at the Grammy Awards. (John Shearer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

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Bryan has been nominated four times for the Grammy Awards: Best Country Solo Performance, Best Country Album, Best Country Song and Best Country Duo/Group Performance, which he won this year along with Kacey Musgraves .

He has also been nominated for three Academy of Country Music Awards and won the New Male Artist of the Year award in 2023. At the Billboard Music Awards – he was nominated 14 times – he won three in the rock category.

Bryan is currently on his Quittin Time Tour and his next performance is scheduled for Thursday night in Edmonton, Alberta.