By Maxine Smith
Zach Bryan, a new country star, has many fans. Sophomore Addison Cunningham is definitely one of them. In fact, Addison became a super fan four years ago when Zach Bryan came out with his first album.
When I asked Addison what her favorite song was she replied, “I don’t have one… I love so many songs I can’t choose.”
But after taking a long pause to think about this apparently impossible question, she narrowed it down to four songs, “Overtime,” “Fear and Fridays,” “Whiskey Fever,” and “Sweet Deann.”
All the songs hold a deep meaning for her, as she can connect many of them to memories, experiences, and places in her own life. For example, she connects most to “Sweet Deann,” as Zach Bryan wrote the song about his mom passing away and she can relate because one of her loved ones passed away.
Addison spends a lot of time with her family and friends at the lake, a place she connects to Zach Bryan’s music. The sight of a red and pink-toned sky glimmering on the lake brings her back to many of Zach Bryan’s songs. “There are many late lake nights where we sit around a bonfire listening to his music and enjoying life,” she said. Zach Bryan provides a way to find warmth and connection with her parents and make memories she will always revisit.
Addison was lucky enough to score tickets to see him last May. Attending the concert with her friends, she claimed, “was the best night of my life.” She is seeing him again in September at a country music festival in Tennesee and a third time in 2024 at Mercedes Benz Stadium.
Zach Bryan recently came out with a new album called “Zach Bryan.” Addison’s thoughts were very positive and short. “I liked it very much,” she said with an excited voice. Her favorite songs on it are “Fear,” “Fridays,” and “Overtime.”
Last week, Zach Bryan got himself into a bit of trouble with law enforcement after he was pulled over by a cop on the interstate. Addison explained that “he got lippy with the policeman,” leading to his arrest. Not letting this interfere with her feelings, Addison has continued to stay a true and devoted fan. “I kinda thought [the arrest] was stupid, to be honest,” Addison even added.
Zach Bryan is very young and very successful and is a big role model for Addison and his fans. For Addison, he represents hard work and perseverance.
“He is an inspiration to me because many of his songs’ meanings relate to my life,” she said.
