Zach Bryan Details Moment of Sobriety, Cites Alcohol for Stage Fright
The country music star shared in a recent interview that a 3 a.m. beer purchase was the catalyst for his decision to quit drinking, a move he credits with improving his songwriting and overall quality of life.
Country music star Zach Bryan has opened up about his journey to sobriety, revealing that his decision to stop drinking was prompted by a late-night moment of self-awareness. More than a year after quitting alcohol, Bryan stated in a recent YouTube conversation with Matthew McConaughey that his life has significantly improved.
Bryan, 30, announced he was two months sober in November 2025. He admitted that he previously viewed sobriety as a "joke" and did not initially recognize he had a problem. The turning point came, he explained, when he purchased a 40-ounce beer at 3 a.m. and questioned his own behavior.
"That was the moment I realized... when I went and got that 40, I was like, man, it's f***ing 3. You got an issue. Why do you want to drink a 40 right now in the Seattle Pilot parking lot?" Bryan recounted.
He also revealed that he initially used alcohol to cope with stage fright, consuming drinks before and after performances. Before getting sober, Bryan worried that he would not be able to write music as effectively without alcohol, noting that many of his past hits were created while under the influence.
"Every hit I ever had, I was pretty much drunk when I made it," he said. "And so I had the issue of thinking I was never gonna have a good song if I wasn’t under the influence."
His latest project, the EP "Young Manhood & Other Donatable Organs," released Friday, marks the first time he has written and recorded every song sober. "And I’ll say it took that to prove to me that I could do it. And I think the EP is pretty great," Bryan stated.
Bryan initially announced his sobriety in November 2025, noting that he quit two months prior after a 20-day motorcycle trip that made him realize he "really need some f***ing help."
His personal life has also seen significant changes. Late last year, Bryan married Samantha Leonard, whom he met on a beach in Spain. He described their meeting as a pivotal moment, stating, "It felt like as soon as I met Samantha, it changed, something, like a light switch." He credited her with helping him overcome his struggles, saying, "When I told her I needed to stop [drinking], she quit that day. Every single issue I had she made better… Samantha saved my life."
On Sunday, Bryan posted a birthday tribute to his wife on social media, expressing his gratitude for her support and love.