Latest news with #SomethingintheOrange
Indianapolis Star
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
Meet Maddox Batson, rising teen star who went from TikTok to Lainey Wilson tour opener
NEW YORK – Maddox Batson's latest trip to New York City is going much better than the last one. In April, the 15-year-old singer was forced to postpone a sold out show at Irving Plaza due to illness. But about a month later, Batson is back in the Big Apple and in better health. He caught a Yankees game in the Bronx, visited the Empire State Building, ate pizza in Manhattan and made up the concert, performing for a capacity crowd of 1,200 adoring fans. "You want to have confidence, but in the back of your mind you're like, 'What if no one shows up?'" the country singer admits before headlining USA TODAY Acoustic, a new series that provides a stage for notable and rising talent across the USA TODAY Network. "But when I get out there and I finally get on stage and I see all my fans singing the words back to me, it's just like the coolest experience ever. I mean, blows my expectations out of the water." Coming off his March debut at the Grand Ole Opry and ahead of his tour dates supporting Lainey Wilson, Batson chats with USA TODAY about his songwriting, the artists who inspire him and how it feels to go viral. In March, Batson released his debut EP, "First Dance." The artist also dropped "First Dance (The After Party)" with three additional songs. He said he whittled down the 10 songs that went public from hundreds, and his key criteria involved checking three boxes before deciding on a song. "You got relatability (lyrics), just to like my fan base but can also branch out to other people that aren't necessarily fans of me yet," he says. "Then you have catchiness; how good the song sounds. Then you have sound and production. There are plenty of songs that have one or two keys, but not a whole lot of them have all three." As far as the relatability part, Batson admits he's not living a typical teenager's life as a touring musician, but he's still finding inspiration on the road. "Every night there's things that happen to me or just things that I see that just sparks that little, 'Hey, you should write about this,'" he says. "Sometimes you really got to dig deep and sometimes it's right there in front of you. But I love writing." What else is inspiring his music? Earlier this year Batson told The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network, that girls and his social media feed have provided that "spark" for studio sessions. Batson has 3.4 million followers on TikTok. Before becoming a sensation on the platform, his account was getting banned but was unclear as to why, he says. While there's no public knowledge of music artists being outright banned for performing on the platform, TikTok has run in to royalty disputes with publishers that have forced the removal of certain song catalog (one such dispute with Universal Music Group was resolved last year). Batson would go live on TikTok, performing with his father Dan. Then in August of 2023, he decided to post a cover of Zach Bryan's "Something in the Orange." The floodgates opened. He sat in his garage, refreshing his page and watching the views increase exponentially. "I remember it hitting 1 million views and I ran around my house," Batson recalls. "I thought I was on top of the world. I thought I was 'him.' I thought I just entered celebrity status." It currently sits at 5.4 million views. Batson is not at a loss when asked about artists who have impacted his young career. The first name he mentions his country singer Bailey Zimmerman, who Batson says has become a friend. He also lists Morgan Wallen and Justin Bieber. The comparisons to Bieber are not hard to draw: Both gained fame in their teens, both first saw success covering songs online (for Bieber, it was his YouTube channel), both gained the moniker of a "teen heartthrob" and both are from towns not exactly known as showbiz hotspots (Batson was raised in Birmingham, Alabama before his parents moved to Nashville; Bieber was raised outside Toronto in Canada). "Being so young, I feel like it's hard to navigate what you're doing (in the music business)," he responds when asked about Bieber. "Me and him started at very similar ages, so just keeping a good stable family unit or good stable team around you, I feel like is very helpful. Being 15, I think I know everything, but I really don't." Batson's self-awareness is beyond his years, but he still isn't taking himself too seriously.
New York Post
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Zach Bryan calls out fellow country singer, takes down duet after being mocked for $350M record deal
Zach Bryan is taking a stand against a critic. The 'Something in the Orange' singer took to Instagram Friday to call out another singer-songwriter, John Moreland, for a subtle dig he seemingly made about him on his own account. '$350M is a lot to pay for the f—in off-brand version of me,' Moreland wrote to his Instagram story. 'Y'all have a great day.' Variety reported earlier this week that Bryan had made a new deal with his label, Warner Records, to extend his contract to include at least two more albums. The outlet claimed that he has also either sold or is currently in the process of selling his publishing catalog, and that together, the two deals total $350 million. Bryan, who wrote and recorded a duet with Moreland called 'Memphis; The Blues' on his 2024 album 'The Great American Bar Scene,' shared a screenshot of Moreland's comment and added a response of his own. 'Yooo just saw this from an artist I've always respected and supported,' he wrote. 'Not trying to be dramatic but refuse to have anyone with a problem with me on my records. Replacing Memphis the Blues. If it goes down for a bit just know this is the reason!' He added, 'No hard feelings! Confused as s—t, Tulsans look out for Tulsans!' 3 Zach Bryan performing at Stagecoach Music Festival in Indio, Calif. on April 25, 2025. Photo byfor Stagecoach In another post, Bryan said that his message would be the last he commented on the matter, explaining, 'Not partial to arguing with butt hurt grown men.' 'Memphis; The Blues' is currently unavailable on streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, though Bryan has assured his fans that this is only temporary. 'Gonna re-release it btw!!!' he wrote in another Instagram post. 'All is well!! All is well.' Moreland did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. 3 John Moreland performing at the 2021 Railbird Festival at Keeneland Racecourse on August 28, 2021 in Lexington, Kentucky. Photo by Erika Goldring/WireImage This isn't Bryan's first time posting about another artist on social media. Last year, the singer deactivated his X account after making a comment about Taylor Swift. 'Eagles > chiefs, Kanye > Taylor, who's with me,' he tweeted before deleting the message and later shutting down the account. He then explained his line of thinking in a series of posts on his Instagram story. 'For the record guys I wasn't coming for Taylor the other night,' Bryan wrote on top of a screengrab of Swift's song with Post Malone, 'Fortnight,' on Instagram. 'I was drunkenly comparing two records and it came out wrong.' 3 Bryan's statement after he was called out for a rude tweet about Taylor Swift. Instagram/Zach Bryan The 'Heading South' singer acknowledged the longtime feud between Swift and West, as he continued to explain, 'I know there's a lot of stuff that clouds around Ye and I was speaking purely musically. I love Taylor's music and pray you guys know I'm human and tweet stupid things often.' Bryan, 28, added that he hoped one day to explain to Swift about his controversial social media post. He additionally apologized to Swifties and detailed why he had deactivated his X account. 'Twitter gets me in trouble too much and I'd say it's best I stay off it,' he penned. 'I'm sorry to any Taylor fans I pissed off or let down. Love you guys and I'm trying my best!' Fox News Digital's Stephanie Giang-Paunon contributed to this report.
Herald Sun
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Herald Sun
Singer Zach Bryan's brutal public response to $350m diss
Zach Bryan is taking a stand against a critic. The 'Something in the Orange' singer took to Instagram to call out another singer-songwriter, John Moreland, for a subtle dig he seemingly made about him on his own account. '$350 M is a lot to pay for the f**kin off-brand version of me,' Moreland wrote to his Instagram story. 'Y'all have a great day.' Variety reported earlier this week that Bryan had made a new deal with his label, Warner Records, to extend his contract to include at least two more albums. The outlet claimed that he has also either sold or is currently in the process of selling his publishing catalogue, and that together, the two deals total $US350 million. Bryan, who wrote and recorded a duet with Moreland called Memphis; The Blues on his 2024 album The Great American Bar Scene, shared a screenshot of Moreland's comment and added a response of his own. Country superstar Zach Bryan is hitting back at a former friend. Picture: Frazer Harrison/Getty 'Yooo just saw this from an artist I've always respected and supported,' he wrote. 'Not trying to be dramatic but refuse to have anyone with a problem with me on my records. Replacing Memphis the Blues. If it goes down for a bit just know this is the reason!' He added, 'No hard feelings! Confused as s**t, Tulsans look out for Tulsans!' 'Memphis; The Blues' is currently unavailable on streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, though Bryan has assured his fans that this is only temporary. 'Gonna re-release it btw!!!' he wrote in another Instagram post. 'All is well!! All is well.' Moreland has responded to the furore with a sarcastic video on Instagram, saying: 'Uh-oh guys, the Zachies [Bryan fans] are comin' after me. Gonna cancel my smalltown folk career I've had since they were in elementary school.' This isn't Bryan's first time posting about another artist on social media. Last year, the singer deactivated his X account after making a comment about Taylor Swift. Bryan has wiped Moreland's song from one of his biggest albums. Picture: Getty It was a surprising diss from Moreland (pictured), seeing as they'd worked together before. 'Eagles > chiefs, Kanye > Taylor, who's with me,' he tweeted before deleting the message and later shutting down the account. He then explained his line of thinking in a series of posts on his Instagram story. 'For the record guys I wasn't coming for Taylor the other night,' Bryan wrote on top of a screengrab of Swift's song with Post Malone, Fortnight, on Instagram. 'I was drunkenly comparing two records and it came out wrong.' The 'Heading South' singer acknowledged the longtime feud between Swift and West, as he continued to explain, 'I know there's a lot of stuff that clouds around Ye and I was speaking purely musically. I love Taylor's music and pray you guys know I'm human and tweet stupid things often.' Bryan, 28, added that he hoped one day to explain to Swift about his controversial social media post. He additionally apologised to Swifties and detailed why he had deactivated his X account. 'Twitter gets me in trouble too much and I'd say it's best I stay off it,' he penned. 'I'm sorry to any Taylor fans I pissed off or let down. Love you guys and I'm trying my best!' Originally published as Singer Zach Bryan's brutal public response to $350m diss
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Zach Bryan Scores $350 Million in Blockbuster Label, Publishing Deals
In a pair of blockbuster deals totaling $350 million, Zach Bryan has re-upped with Warner Records and, separately, either has sold or is in the process of selling his publishing catalog, sources tell Variety. Bryan's team had long been negotiating with Warner, but the recorded-music deal, which sources say is for at least two albums, was just concluded Sunday night. While it was clear that Warner was determined to keep him — despite Bryan's social media post in January about releasing 'one final major label album' — the company faced stiff competition from Universal. More from Variety Tim Hinshaw's Free Lunch Agency Partners With Warner Records, Launches Label With Signees Syd and Alex Isley Mike Chester Promoted to General Manager of Warner Records Blackpink's Jisoo Signs With Warner Records for Solo Releases Sources say the buyer of the publishing catalog is a new entity, apparently called the Merrit Group, that is helmed by Cameron Strang, who was previously CEO of both Warner Bros. Records and Warner Chappell Music publishing, although details about the company and the deal are unclear. Strang left Warner Chappell in 2015 and the label two years later, and has largely kept a low profile in the music industry since then. He had launched the Americana-leaning indie label New West in 1998 and Southside Independent Publishing in 2004, the latter of which was acquired by Warner Chappell in 2010, shortly before he took over that company. Reps for Bryan, Strang, Warner and Bryan's attorney David Jacobs declined or did not respond to Variety's requests for comment. The new label deal was first reported by the Hollywood Reporter. Bryan, one of the biggest recording artists in the world, has been Warner Records' top performer for nearly three years, beginning with the success of his 2022 breakthrough album, 'American Heartbreak.' He signed with Warner, in partnership with his own Belting Bronco label, shortly after he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy in 2021, having released his first two albums independently while he was still in the service. Since then he has risen rapidly to a stadium-level artist, with three multiplatinum studio albums that spawned hit singles like 'Something in the Orange,' 'Pink Skies' and the Kacey Musgraves duet 'I Remember Everything.' He also has released a pair of live albums. This summer, Bryan will headline AEG's massive Hyde Park BST festival in London, and just a few weeks later will perform at the 107,000-capacity Michigan Stadium. Bryan teased an upcoming film in the same post as the 'final' major label album via a voice note from actor Matthew McConaughey. In a clip posted to Instagram, Bryan enlists McConaughey to announce the film 'Motorbreath,' which he suggests will document Bryan and his friends recording his final album for Warner Records. 'This is not a film about a band,' says McConaughey. 'This is a film about a boy from Oklahoma, a boy who joined the Navy with a love of writing. That writing connected with people — a lot of people. This film is about a group of best friends taking a two-week motorcycle ride across America while recording one final major label album. Oh, and the title of the film, you ask? 'Motorbreath.'' Best of Variety Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Sign in to access your portfolio
The Independent
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Zach Bryan gets in heated altercation with man using Meta glasses to film in NYC bar
Zach Bryan was caught on camera getting into an argument at a bar in New York City on Monday. In footage shared with TMZ, the 28-year-old country artist is seen playing pool with other patrons at a sports bar in Manhattan's West Village before a heated back-and-forth between him and another person ensues. The footage, recorded on a man's Ray-Ban Meta spectacles, starts with the 'Something in the Orange' singer asking the man filming about his glasses. 'I want to rip them off your face so bad because we're at a bar,' Bryan said before trying them on and continuing: 'You're going to see some terrible things tonight.' According to the outlet, Bryan had lost three pool games in a row, and witnesses said the Grammy winner's mood 'changed on the drop of a dime' immediately after his third loss. The video cuts to a clip of Bryan talking to one of the men who's telling him that he's only recording his friends so they can 'cherish these fond memories.' 'I'm not trying to record your ass,' the man told Bryan. 'I'm trying to record my s*** with my friends for memories, to have fun. It has nothing to do with you, and you're just being a f***ing douche.' The 'Sun to Me' artist then replied: 'That's the gayest thing I've ever heard.' 'Why is that gay?' another asked Bryan as he walked away. Witnesses reportedly told TMZ that the singer and his group had asked the other men to quit recording them 'more than half a dozen times.' The Independent has contacted Bryan's representatives for comment. Bryan has shown support for the LGBTQ+ community in the past, particularly when Bud Light received backlash for casting a transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney as the face of its April 2023 campaign. At the time, country singer Travis Tritt condemned the beer brand and promised to throw away all of his Anheuser-Busch cans. 'I mean no disrespect towards anyone specifically, I don't even mind @travistritt,' Bryan subsequently wrote on X/Twitter. 'I just think insulting transgender people is completely wrong because we live in a country where we can all just be who we want to be It's a great day to be alive I thought.' Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members) Sign up Bryan recently broke up with podcast host Brianna LaPaglia after more than a year together. News of their breakup came in October 2024 when the music artist confirmed they were no longer together on his Instagram. He wrote: 'She [LaPaglia] has loved me unconditionally for a very long time and for that I'll always thank her. I have had an incredibly hard year personally and struggled through some pretty severe things. I thought it would be beneficial for both of us to go our different ways.' The 25-year-old host of Barstool's BFFs podcast later claimed she wasn't aware Bryan was going to announce their split publicly and said she felt 'really blindsided.' She then took a break from social media before rejoining Josh Richards and Dave Portnoy on BFFs for a tell-all about her 'toxic' relationship with Bryan. 'The last year of my life has been the hardest year of my life dealing with the abuse from this dude,' she said during a November 7 episode. 'I'm still scared right now because I'm scared of him. My brain's rewired and I'm scared to make him mad.' LaPaglia also alleged that Bryan's team offered her $12 million to sign an NDA about their relationship.
