Zac Brown Band Close Country Jam 2016 With Cover-Filled Set
Zac Brown Band closed out the final night of Country Jam 2016 with a nearly two-hour set that spanned the band's catalog of hits and included several jaw-dropping covers.
The combined musical talent between the 13-piece band — which included a horn section and backing vocalists — was remarkable as each member had his or her time in the spotlight, whether it was long instrumental solos or the occasional lead vocals. While Zac Brown led the ensemble, the entire band supported with spot-on harmonies throughout the concert.
The hits were plenty during their set, and songs like "Homegrown," "Knee Deep," "Toes" and fan favorite "Chicken Fried" had the crowd on their feet. On "Toes," Brown acted as musical conductor, urging those in the audience to "sing it!"
It was on the covers, though, that Zac Brown Band's musicianship truly shone, as the band proved they could play a heavy metal song like Metallica's "Enter Sandman" just as easily as the Who's "Baba O'Riley," Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats' "S.O.B.," all of which had country fans in Grand Junction, Colo., screaming along in approval.
"What an amazing night! Thank you for all the love," Brown said after performing a mind-blowing cover of Charlie Daniels Band's "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," which included standout fiddle accompaniment as well as Brown's rapid-fire singing and guitar slinging.
He then sang ZBB's 2010 hit "Free," which had the band segue seamlessly into Van Morrison's "Into the Mystic." So perfect, in fact, it was if the two songs belonged together.
The band continued to showcase their versatility with current single "Castaway," which embodied a hint of reggae, as well as the EDM-inspired "Tomorrow Never Comes" and "Beautiful Drug," which closed the show. Exemplifying true musicianship, Zac Brown Band closed out Country Jam 2016 with a versatile set that proved that no matter what the setting, quality music has no boundaries.