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November 18, 2008

Zac Brown's secret to fried chicken, fame

Posted: 06:36 AM ET

Senior Writer Jeff

Every Tuesday on Morning Express, we tell you about the best new CDs hitting stores.

This week, we have a special blog edition of New Music Tuesday.

The Zac Brown Band’s new album, “Foundation” is out this week. The guys are riding high right now. Their single “Chicken Fried” is a top 5 hit, and it’s been on the country music charts for 5 months.

I asked Zac a few questions about the new album, his heroes, and of course, how to cook up some tasty fried chicken.

Writer Jeff: Your new album is called “Foundation”… and you’ve started a non-profit foundation for kids. What inspired you to do that?
Zac Brown: The inspiration came from working at camps for kids, especially Camp Mikell and Camp Glisson.

WJ: You guys sold out a show recently in New York. How does it feel to be a boy from the Georgia mountains playing in front of sold-out crowds in NYC?
ZB: It feels good to know that people like good music wherever you are.

WJ: “Chicken Fried” is climbing the charts. How do you balance enjoying your success vs. worrying about finding another hit?
ZB: I feel that people who like “Chicken Fried” will like our other songs.

WJ: Zac, you used to own a restaurant where you were also the cook. What are your tips for making great fried chicken?
ZB: Getting quality chicken, frying it in peanut oil and having the oil at the right temperature that will crisp up the skin without burning it and of course you need the right seasoning and I like to have a little breading on the chicken.

WJ: If you could pick anything to eat tonight for dinner, what would it be?
ZB: Sushi.

WJ: You’ve opened for some of the biggest names in country music. What’s it been like getting to meet your musical heroes?
ZB: Sharing the stage with them has been the biggest milestone of my career.

WJ: You’ve even opened for ZZ Top. That sounds like a battle of the beards as much as a battle of the bands. Did you guys compare grooming tips?
ZB: No, but Billy Gibbons made a point to come out and let us know he enjoyed our music. They make a lot of music as a 3 piece band. They are legends of Rock and Roll.

WJ: Do you ever think you’ll shave off your beard?
ZB: I don’t have any plans to but later down the road you never know what you’re going to do.

Posted by: Senior Writer Jeff
Filed under: New Music Tuesday

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keith

November 18th, 2008 8:45 am ET

Good morning 'morning star' with mom 'mary' , give hello keith.

Vicki

November 18th, 2008 9:05 am ET

Oh Wonderful fried chicken.........great recipe Goodluck.

Sandra DeBerzzinae

November 18th, 2008 9:42 am ET

Who is the car dealer with pacifico/pt cruiser deal. Our daughter with 4 kids, one severly handicapped, needs us to get this deal for her. Please who is car dealer? She's been a single mom and just graduated from RN school last week. She's been working and going to school so long – all money to school, she needs this so bad. Would be a great grad/Christmas gift for her and family. All family wants to help but who is this Car Dealer? Thanks for great story!

Roger

November 18th, 2008 11:15 am ET

Have heard Zac and band many time at the old rest. on lake oconee .Always thought that if they ever connected withe the right promoter they would do very well. One evening sometime ago Zac"s father ,his fathers wife and I were sitting on the deck at my lakehouse drinking margaritas (way to many) listening to music when his father produced an original 2004 Zac CD uncut version of Chicken fried which we probably played a hundred times that evening.Sounds a little different than the more polished current cut. I still have the CD and play it occasionally. Best of luck to Zac and band.

Stephen Coney

November 19th, 2008 6:51 am ET

Is modern country music sucess based on being a "mountain boy" with yearnings for sushi or giving interviews with little or no views? Those cooking tips were priceless!

Rick

November 19th, 2008 8:33 am ET

I liked the "Lost Trailers" version of Chicken Fried better.

Robert

November 20th, 2008 7:01 am ET

If the automakers have been the in the honey pot this long why should we support there bad habbitr

November 20th, 2008 7:12 am ET

I LOVE the ZBB! I got them in Atl opening for Sugarland earlier this year and then they came to Perry for the National Fair and Got to see them again! They're AWESOME! Love "TOES"!

mary lewis

November 20th, 2008 11:35 pm ET

Hey Robin,
Good Morning SUNSHINE! Thank you for making our day!....with all your morning cast...I"m always 'chillin' wth Van Dillin. Im going to send Van Dillion some good weather pictures soon. I saw 7 waterspouts one day. i'll send you a rainbow. xo mary clifford lewis. Thanks for your Good Morning. xo

John liace

November 21st, 2008 9:04 am ET

WE THE PEOPLE THAT NEED THE MONEY THE MOST WE SHOULD. WE CAN ASK FOR 25 TIL FOR THE POOR AND MID CLASS PEOPLE THAT HAVE NO JOBS OR HAVE A JOB AND ARE HAVING PROBLEM GETTING RICH. WE NEED THE PEOPLE CAN HELP THIS PROBLEM WE BUY EVENTHING FROM A TO Z IN THIS WORLD WE SPENT $2,000/$3,000 EACH MONTH ON LIVING THOSE PEOPLE ARE NOT HAVING THIS PROBLEM RIGHT. WE NEED THEM TO GIVE US 1,3 MIL TO EACH COUPLE WITH KID,SOME THAT HAVE NO KIDS PLUS SINGLE MEN AND LADYS. VIEW THEM ALL THE RIGHT WAY. GET MONEY BACK ON TRACK. (BE SMART) I CAN GET THIS FOR US EMAIL IF U HAVE SOME GOV INFO OR JOBS AND THE BIG THREE BAIL OUT SHOULD NOT AND WILL NOT WORK DON,T HELP THEM. (PLEASE HELP US) PLEASE DON,T DO US OR THOSE COMPANY CAN,T HELP US. THEN THOSE CEO WILL JUST SPEND THAT MONEY TO HELP THEM OUT NOT US. WE PUT THAT MONEY BACK INTO THIS BAD POOR WORLD.UP THE HOUR WAGES TO 10.00 HOUR THAT CAN HELP US TO. AND GET SOME HEALTH CARE TO FOR US FAST, WE CAN MAKE THIS WORLD RIGHT THE SMART AND RIGHT WAY. WE BUY THOSE THING FROM THOSE BIG COMPANY RIGHT. WE NEED TO MAKE THOSE CEO GET LESS AND US GET MORE. TO MAKE THOSE COMPANYS PAY OUT AND HAVE FUN WITH ARE MONEY THARE $#$#$$ TRASH . PS HELP US.... IT A COOL GOV THAT'S BS FOR THE $300 U SEND ON US TWO . BUT IT HELP US. THANKS FOR THAT THIS YEAR.( JUST ADD IT UP FOR THE PEOPLE... ((((( 1,0 BIL X 25,0 BIL= 25,O BIL WHAT THAT ALL JUST ADD IT UP THAT RIGHT IT WILL HELP US ALL OUT . HOW MANY PEOPLE DO WE HAVE IN THE POOR US ( THAT,S WHAT THE PEOPLE NEED AND WOULD LIKE. IAM TALKING FOR EVERONE THAT NEED IT. THAT,S IT. A LOT OF PEOPLE TOO. MAYBE THE NEW MAN CAN DO THIS FOR US.SO WE ALL CAN BE RICH LIKE THEM.

cathy

November 21st, 2008 12:12 pm ET

Someone help me with this please. The chorus/tune to Chicken Fried ( Zac Brown / Lost Trailers both did this) is already out there from years ago. What is the song I am thinking of? It is almost note for note.

Irma

December 9th, 2008 10:05 am ET

I love this Zac Brown band,,, so do my kids.
They bring country rock back to life!! Amen!!!

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