Backstage Country

LISTEN LIVE

Zac Brown’s Second Marriage Lasted Four Months

Zac Brown and his soon-to-be ex-wife Kelly Yazdi announced they were divorcing just four months after their August 31 wedding. Gossip site TMZ recently revealed the news of the pending…

Zac Brown on stage in a black hat and shirt holding a guitar
Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Zac Brown and his soon-to-be ex-wife Kelly Yazdi announced they were divorcing just four months after their August 31 wedding.

Gossip site TMZ recently revealed the news of the pending divorce, and the couple stated to TMZ, "We are in the process of divorce. Our mutual respect for one another remains. We wish each other the best and will always appreciate our time together. As we navigate this personal matter, we simply request privacy during this time."

Yazdi, a model/actress, recently disappeared from Instagram, and when she returned to the social media platform, she took Brown's name off her bio and stopped following Zac on Instagram. She even took down every single post and photo that included him.

It wasn't until November of 2023 that the couple confirmed their marriage.

This was Brown's second marriage. He was previously married to Shelly Brown for 12 years until 2018, and the couple share five kids.

Zac and Kelly have no children together.

Brown was recently announced as part of Kenny Chesney's tour. Coincidentally, Chesney's 2005 marriage to actress Renee Zellweger also lasted only four months. Their tour kicks off April 20, 2024, at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium; the tour will run through August 23 at Foxborough, Massachusetts's Gillette Stadium.

Kenny said, "I wanted a name that suggested – obviously – when all the good stuff starts to happen. The one thing I've learned about No Shoes Nation and these stadium shows is they start the good times early, and they just keep it going. But we all know, when the sun goes down, that's when people really get loose and enjoy themselves."

Chesney said in a statement about his openers, including Megan Moroney and Uncle Kracker, "Zac Brown Band understands high-energy country, the same way Alabama did, and they've got our friend Caroline Jones in their line-up now, too. Megan Moroney isn't just one of the smart new voices in the country; she's really bringing a sense of heart and joy to the music – and I'm fired up to be bringing her out to No Shoes Nation."

Zac Brown Band made a big splash in country music in the early 2010s scoring big hits songs and taking home a few of those coveted Grammy Awards, including the all-genre Best New Artist in 2010 and Best Country Album for Caged in 2013.

The band is a big one and features the current lineup of nine members. They are, of course, Zac Brown (lead vocals, guitar), Jimmy De Martini (fiddle, vocals), John Driskell Hopkins (bass guitar, guitar, baritone guitar, banjo, ukulele, upright bass, vocals), Coy Bowles (guitar, keyboards), Chris Fryar (drums), Clay Cook (guitar, keyboards, mandolin, steel guitar, vocals), Matt Mangano (bass guitar), Daniel de los Reyes (percussion), and Caroline Jones (guitar, keyboards, harmonica, vocals).

The band has released seven studio albums in their career, along with two live albums, one greatest-hits album, and two extended plays. Over the years, the group has scored many numbers on songs on Billboard's Country Airplay charts. We take a look at seven Zac Brown Band songs that everyone should know by heart.

"Homegrown" (2015)

This song is about a man satisfied with his life as it is, rather than worrying about what it could be. The man sings about having everything he needs and nothing he doesn't, namely the "good friends that live down the street" and the "good lookin' woman with her arms around me" that he would never give up.

"Sweet Annie" (2013)

The music video for this sweet song premiered in October 2013. It featured an edited video of longtime band member Coy Bowles' wedding.

"Keep Me in Mind" (2011)

The music video for this song was filmed during a live performance at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Denver, Colorado. It shows the group on their tour bus, in concert, and shots of the Red Rocks. It uses a live version of the song.

"Knee Deep" (featuring Jimmy Buffett) (2011)

One of the songs Zac Brown Band is most well-known for. It's the perfect song for lazy days (hence the presence of Jimmy Buffett). The song is about laying back and having no worries: "Only worry in the world is the tide gonna reach my chair."

"As She's Walking Away" (featuring Alan Jackson) (2010)

This number-one song features guest vocals from Alan Jackson. The song is the sixth single released by the band and the first from the album You Get What You Give. It won the Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals at the 53rd Grammy Awards.

"Toes" (2009)

Another Zac Brown Band classic. In the song, the male narrator describes a relaxing trip to Mexico from Georgia, or "G-A." Throughout the verses, he tells of the "pretty señoritas" and "muchachas" that he encounters, as well as the alcoholic drinks that he consumes.

"Chicken Fried" (2008)

The song was first recorded in 2003 for the 2005 album Home Grown. Two years later, the Zac Brown Band re-recorded the song and released it as the first single from their album The Foundation. "Chicken Fried" became the band's first chart single and their first number-one hit on the Billboard Country charts.

Nancy Brooks has been working in the country music industry for almost 30 years. She has interviewed pretty much any country star you can think of. In the late 1990s, she started working with Dolly Parton. And yes, Nancy reports that Parton is as sweet as you would think. She loves her life in country music and has been backstage at every CMA Awards show since the late 1990s. Many of her stories are from her one-on-one interviews. She was there at the beginning of the incredible careers of many music superstars today, including Taylor Swift, Shania Twain, and Blake Shelton, and has interviewed them multiple times throughout the years.