There’s a lot of excitement surrounding Zac Brown Band, and the reason is three-fold. The award-winning group has a new single, a new member, and will soon be embarking on a big summer tour.
The group just released a new single to radio this week, “All Alright,” which is from their “The Grohl Sessions, Vol. 1” project — produced by Foo Fighters member Dave Grohl, who said of the band, “I swear to God, if I weren’t in my band, I would be in this f-ing band….I don’t know if I am good enough, though.” The track was co-written by Eric Church, who had equal words of praise for Brown & Co., saying “The great thing about Zac Brown Band is the music comes from a real place. It’s not formulaic, it’s not manufactured. It’s a spontaneous living breathing thing. Yes, it’s different. Yes, it’s adventurous. But most important of all, it’s just damn good.”
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Secondly, the band has announced an addition to their lineup – bass player Matt Mangano. The former John Mayer guitarist is no stranger to the group, having appeared on stage with them in the past – as well as appearing on “The Grohl Sessions, Vol. 1,” as well as their 2012 disc “Uncaged.” The group’s latest musical expansion will see long-time bassist and vocalist John Driskell Hopkins playing different instruments. Hopkins will continue to sing and play bass, but will take on guitar, baritone guitar, ukulele, upright bass, and banjo in the band.
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Of the change, Brown said: “We’re always growing as musicians and challenging ourselves to bring new things to our fans. Hop is an amazing talent and I can’t wait for people to see what we’ve got coming for the live show.” Mangano joins a lineup that also includes Jimmy De Martini, Coy Bowles, Clay Cook, Chris Fryar, and Daniel de los Reyes, and Hopkins
ZBB will be hitting the road in a big way in 2014. Their “Great American Road Trip” tour commences May 24 in Lincoln, NE, and will continue through August. A highlight of the stretch includes a two-night sold out stand at Fenway Park with no support acts – putting them in a league with just four other bands – Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Jimmy Buffett & The Coral Reefer Band, The Police and The Rolling Stones. Grammy-winning songstress Kacey Musgraves will be opening for the band on select dates – after appearing with them on their Southern Ground Music and Food Festival last year.
Since 2008’s “Chicken Fried,” ZBB has carved out one of the most successful careers in the genre – with 13 top 10 country singles (including 10 No. 1s). Each of their past three studio albums have been certified platinum.
Zac Brown Band – ‘The Great American Road Trip Tour’
May 24 – Lincoln, NE (Pinnacle Bank Arena)
May 29 – Tampa, FL (MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheater) *
May 30 – Tampa, FL (MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheater) *
May 31 – West Palm Beach, FL (Cruzan Amphitheatre) *
June 1 – West Palm Beach, FL (Cruzan Amphitheatre) *
June 5 – Orange Beach, AL (The Amphitheater at the Wharf)
June 6 – Pelham, AL (Oak Mountain Amphitheatre)
June 7 – Atlanta, GA (Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood)
June 12 – Charlotte, NC (PNC Music Pavilion)
June 13 – Cincinnati, OH (Riverbend Music Center)
June 14 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH (Blossom Music Center)
June 19 – Camden, NJ (Susquehanna Bank Center)
June 20 – Camden, NJ (Susquehanna Bank Center)
June 21 – Forest Hills, NY (Forest Hills Stadium) SOLD OUT
June 22 – Bristow, VA (Jiffy Lube Live)
June 27 – Boston, MA (Fenway Park) SOLD OUT
June 28 – Boston, MA (Fenway Park) SOLD OUT
July 3 – Milwaukee, WI (Summerfest – Marcus Amphitheater)
July 10 – Holmdel, NJ (PNC Bank Arts Center)
July 12 – Burgettstown, PA (First Niagara Pavilion)
July 13 – Noblesville, IN (Klipsch Music Center)
July 16 – Paso Robles, CA (Midstate Fair)
July 20 – Lake Tahoe, NV (Harvey’s Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena) SOLD OUT
August 2 – Camrose, Alberta (Big Valley Jamboree)
August 4 – Sturgis, SD (Buffalo Chip)
August 9 – Detroit Lakes, MN (WE Fest)
August 15 – Endicott, NY (Dick’s Sporting Goods Open) SOLD OUT
* With Kacey Musgraves