A country star just confirmed he gives his former Navy commander a cut of his royalties, insisting the officer was "the reason I recorded any songs."
Videos by Wide Open Country
In a video recently posted to his YouTube channel, Zach Bryan revealed the tidbit in a long-form conversation with actor Matthew McConaughey.
At one point in the over two-hour-long video, the Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation star asked Bryan if rumors of him throwing a bit of his song royalties the way of his former Navy commander were true.
The "Something in the Orange" singer, who served in the U.S. Navy from 2013 to 2021, quickly confirmed the rumor.
"He's the reason, man," the 30-year-old told McConaughey of the commanding officer, identified only as Alba. "He's the reason I recorded any songs ever at all. I thought it was justified, man. "He's the reason I have any music at all."
"I wouldn't be who I was without him f—ing looking at me and saying I can record those songs," the "Pink Skies" singer continued. "His kids call me their uncle; he comes to shows all the time, and I give him a percentage of every song that I release."
The country star went on to point out that thanks to the song royalties, he's "living well now."
"Because that's how much that meant to me. Him believing in me enough to do that for me," he added. "We see each other when we can."
Zach Bryan Looks Back on His Days in the Navy Fondly: "The Navy Made a Man Out of Me"
Bryan managed to get an honorable discharge from the Navy after his track "Heading South" went viral. Still, the country singer looks back on his time in the military fondly.
"I was really proud to be in the Navy because I was in the boots of my grandfather and in the boots of my father," Bryan told McConaughey. "The Navy made a man out of me."
Bryan's latest EP, Young Manhood and Other Donatable Organs, dropped last month, following the release of his sixth studio album, With Heaven on Top, back in January. The new EP features collaborations with other country stars like the Turnpike Troubadours.
A tour in support of the new EP kicks off in April 2027.
