Zach Bryan has faced a few public controversies since blowing up with the release of his album American Heartbreak. Bryan gained a following after he began releasing his own music online in 2017. He released two albums before 2022's American Heartbreak, his first record with a major label, skyrocketed him to the top of the charts. Despite his nearly overnight success, Bryan has attempted to set himself apart from the country music genre. "I don't want to be a country musician. Everyone calls me it.