Complete List Of Zach Bryan Band Members

Feature Photo: Photo by Katrina Paisano, taken on 23 August 2023 at Crypto.com Arena., Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons

Born from the unlikely backdrop of military service, Zach Bryan’s musical journey began during his eight-year stint in the United States Navy. The Oklahoma native started uploading self-recorded songs to YouTube in 2017, with his breakthrough coming when “Heading South,” filmed outside his Navy barracks, went viral. Bryan’s career has been defined by an authentic approach that sets him apart in the country music scene. Since his first public concert in Medford, Oregon in October 2019, Bryan has released five studio albums: the independently produced “DeAnn” (2019) and “Elisabeth” (2020), followed by his major label debut “American Heartbreak” (2022), his self-titled album “Zach Bryan” (2023), and “The Great American Bar Scene” (2024). His impressive chart success includes a number one debut on the Billboard 200 for his self-titled album, which earned him a Grammy Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “I Remember Everything” featuring Kacey Musgraves. Bryan’s distinctive blend of country, folk, and rock has resonated with audiences worldwide, propelling him from small venues to selling out arenas and headlining major festivals like Stagecoach and Bonnaroo.

Behind Bryan’s meteoric rise is a talented group of musicians who have played crucial roles in shaping his sound both in the studio and on stage. The band has evolved over the years, with some members joining early in Bryan’s career while others came aboard as his popularity grew. Together, they’ve created the instrumental backbone for Bryan’s emotional storytelling and raw vocal delivery, contributing to performances at iconic venues like the Ryman Auditorium, Red Rocks Amphitheater, and various stadiums across the country. Their collective musical chemistry has been a key component in Bryan’s live shows, which have become known for their energy and authenticity.

Despite his growing fame, Bryan has maintained a relatively private persona, rarely giving interviews and primarily connecting with fans through his music and occasional social media posts. In late 2024, Bryan announced plans to pursue a masters degree in Paris in 2025, suggesting he’ll be taking a break from touring after his “Quittin’ Time” tour concludes, though he still has a few select performances scheduled for 2025, including shows at MetLife Stadium and London’s BST Hyde Park. This blend of critical acclaim, commercial success, and artistic integrity has established Zach Bryan and his band as significant forces in contemporary American music.

Read Connolly

Read Connolly serves as a multi-instrumentalist in Zach Bryan’s band, primarily playing steel guitar and banjo. Known for his exceptional skills on both instruments, Connolly brings a traditional country sound to Bryan’s music with his distinctive steel guitar slides and energetic banjo picking. Connolly joined Bryan’s band in the early days of his touring career and has become a fan favorite for his memorable performances. During live shows, Connolly has become known for a theatrical moment where he pretends to “faint” on stage during performances of “Revival” before springing back up to deliver a powerful banjo solo—a routine that has become a highlight of Bryan’s concerts.

Beyond his work with Zach Bryan, Connolly also performs with another acclaimed country artist, Charles Wesley Godwin, demonstrating his versatility and respected status in the country music scene. Based in Pittsburgh when not on tour, Connolly has contributed significantly to Bryan’s recorded music as well as his live performances. His musical talents have been showcased not only in concert venues across the country but also on television, as he appeared alongside Bryan and the band in an episode of the hit series “Yellowstone.” Connolly’s instrumental contributions have helped shape the authentic country sound that has become a hallmark of Bryan’s music, particularly in bringing traditional elements that complement Bryan’s modern songwriting approach.

Lucas Ruge-Jones

Lucas Ruge-Jones is the fiddle and mandolin player in Zach Bryan’s band, bringing a crucial element to the group’s sound through his expressive string work. Known for his virtuosic fiddle solos, Ruge-Jones has developed a substantial following of his own, with his performances during songs like “Revival” becoming highlights of Bryan’s live shows. His fiddle playing adds an emotional texture to Bryan’s music, particularly enhancing the folk and traditional country elements of the songs.

Ruge-Jones has been with Bryan’s band since the early days of his touring career, contributing to both recording sessions and live performances. His work can be heard across multiple albums, adding depth and authenticity to Bryan’s sound. Like other members of Bryan’s band, Ruge-Jones made an appearance on the television show “Yellowstone,” where he was credited as “Zach Bryan Band (Fiddle).” His impressive technical skill has earned him recognition among fans, with many social media posts and videos of his solos garnering millions of views on platforms like TikTok, where viewers often praise him as one of the best fiddle players in contemporary music.

Zephyr Avalon

Zephyr Avalon handles bass guitar duties in Zach Bryan’s band, providing the foundational rhythms that anchor the group’s sound. A seasoned musician with an impressive background, Avalon joined Bryan’s team in 2021 and has been an integral part of both studio recordings and live performances since then. His bass playing can be heard on several of Bryan’s hit songs, including the Grammy-nominated “Something in the Orange.”

When not performing with Bryan, Avalon maintains an active career as a session musician and solo artist. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area and classically trained at the University of California, Santa Cruz, Avalon has performed with numerous acclaimed artists across genres, including Haley Reinhart, Deedee Bridgewater, and Arturo Sandoval. He released his own self-titled album in 2017, showcasing his versatility as both a performer and composer. Avalon’s contributions to Bryan’s band include performances at major venues like Red Rocks Amphitheater and the Ryman Auditorium, as well as appearances at festivals like Stagecoach, Bonnaroo, and Lollapalooza. Like other band members, he also made an appearance on the television show “Yellowstone,” credited as “Zach Bryan Band (Bass).”

Steve Clark

Steve Clark serves as the drummer and percussionist for Zach Bryan’s band, bringing rhythmic drive and energy to their performances. Hailing from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Clark’s drumming style combines technical precision with an intuitive feel that complements Bryan’s emotional songwriting. He joined Bryan’s band as his career was gaining momentum and has been a consistent presence behind the kit during Bryan’s rise to mainstream success.

In 2023, Clark toured with Bryan during the “Burn, Burn, Burn World Tour,” which included over 30 sold-out arena shows. He also contributed drum tracks to Bryan’s self-titled album that same year, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. His drumming can be heard on numerous Billboard Hot 100 songs and multiple platinum records in Bryan’s catalog. Through his work with Bryan, Clark has had the opportunity to perform with various guest artists, including The Lumineers, Sheryl Crow, and Sierra Ferrell. When not on tour or in the studio, Clark enjoys spending time with his family in Oklahoma. Like several other band members, Clark also made an appearance on the television show “Yellowstone,” where he was credited as “Zach Bryan Band (Drums).”

J.R. Carroll

J.R. Carroll contributes to Zach Bryan’s band primarily on guitar and piano, adding melodic and harmonic elements that enhance Bryan’s compositions. While performing with Bryan has been a significant part of his musical journey, Carroll has also established himself as a solo artist in his own right. In December 2024, he released his debut album “Dark Cloud,” which showcased his own songwriting and vocal abilities.

Carroll’s musical relationship with Bryan extends beyond just being a band member, as the two share similar artistic sensibilities and approaches to country music. His keyboard work provides textural depth to Bryan’s songs, while his guitar playing adds additional rhythmic and melodic layers to the band’s sound. Carroll’s contributions can be heard across Bryan’s discography, and his live performances with the band have been an integral part of their touring success. As Carroll continues to develop his solo career alongside his work with Bryan’s band, he represents the collaborative spirit and individual talent that characterizes the musicians Bryan has assembled around him.

Graham Bright

Graham Bright serves as one of the guitarists in Zach Bryan’s band, contributing electric and acoustic guitar parts that help shape the group’s distinctive sound. As one of Bryan’s supporting musicians, Bright’s guitar work ranges from subtle accompaniment to more prominent lead lines that complement Bryan’s vocal performances. He has been part of Bryan’s touring ensemble during the significant expansion of Bryan’s career, performing at venues of increasing size as Bryan’s popularity has grown.

Bright’s guitar style fits well within Bryan’s blend of country, folk, and rock influences, helping to create the sonic landscape that has become characteristic of Bryan’s music. His contributions can be heard on Bryan’s recordings and are an important component of the band’s live sound. While maintaining a lower public profile than some other band members, Bright’s musical contributions remain essential to the overall presentation of Bryan’s songs both in the studio and on stage.

Noah Le Gros

Noah Le Gros is another guitarist in Zach Bryan’s ensemble, adding another layer to the band’s already rich string section. His guitar work complements that of Graham Bright and the other instrumentalists while bringing his own touch to Bryan’s songs. Le Gros’s contributions help create the full, textured sound that has become a hallmark of Bryan’s music, particularly in live settings where multiple guitars create a dynamic interplay.

Beyond his work with Bryan, Le Gros has pursued acting alongside his musical career. His dual talents in music and acting reflect the creative versatility that many of Bryan’s band members possess. On stage with Bryan, Le Gros helps deliver the emotional authenticity and musical cohesion that has made the band’s live performances so compelling for audiences across the country.

Andrew Morris

Andrew Morris has been part of Zach Bryan’s musical journey, contributing to the evolution of Bryan’s sound as his career has progressed. While specific details about Morris’s exact role in the band are less documented than some other members, he has been part of the musical collective that supports Bryan’s vision. His contributions, along with those of his bandmates, have helped create the instrumental foundation for Bryan’s songwriting.

Morris’s work with Bryan reflects the collaborative spirit that has characterized Bryan’s approach to music-making. Like many of Bryan’s band members, Morris brings individual talent and perspective to the group while working cohesively within the ensemble to serve Bryan’s songs. His participation in Bryan’s band is part of the broader story of how Bryan has surrounded himself with skilled musicians who enhance and elevate his musical vision.

Eddie Spear

While not a performing member of Zach Bryan’s band, Eddie Spear has played a crucial role in shaping the sound of Bryan’s recorded music as a producer. Most notably, Spear produced the song “Oklahoman Son” on Bryan’s self-titled album, bringing his expertise to the track while Bryan self-produced the remainder of the album. Spear’s contribution represents the collaborative nature of Bryan’s recording process, where he maintains creative control while also working with skilled professionals to achieve his sonic vision.

Spear’s work as a producer on “Oklahoman Son” helped create a track that fit seamlessly within the album while potentially bringing additional elements to enhance Bryan’s self-produced approach. His involvement demonstrates Bryan’s willingness to collaborate with different creative partners while maintaining his distinctive artistic identity. Though not a touring member of the band, Spear’s contribution to Bryan’s recorded output makes him an important part of the broader musical team supporting Bryan’s career.