Zac Brown Band Sticks Up for Clay Cook
Did you see it? When Zac Brown Band was announced as the winner of the best new artist Grammy Award last night (Jan. 31), one of the band members was holding a little tongue depressor with a picture of a man on it. Curious? Well, that man was Clay Cook, the band's guitar, organ, mandolin and pedal steel player, although he wasn't an actual member of the band until after their breakthrough album, The Foundation, was released. The band later said, "He's in our band but he wasn't listed on the album as credited, but he is an essential and insanely talented member of our band and he was not able to be onstage with us. But he is here with us now and he will be from here on out." So maybe only the musicians listed in the band when the Grammy ballots were distributed were allowed to be up there. Cook's own blog doesn't explain why, either. That just says, "Our performance tonight was sooo much fun. I was really proud of it. It was cool to have a vocal solo in front of the world ... even though they didn't put a camera on me or light me up during it. Wrong beard I guess."
Photo Credit: Robyn Beck/Getty Images
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
Robin says:
Clay Cook was phenominal! Zac Brown Band (including Clay) made country music so proud last night. They are amazing musicians. Amazing song writers. Amazing story tellers. All that is brought together by the fact that they (not just Zac) are amazing vocalist as well.
These guys redeemed us all as a genre last night. country artists have always put on amazing performance, but last night would have been remembered for the country fiasco if it were not for the Zac Brown Band which put everyone in the room in the dust.
william says:
I’ve been a fan of ZBB since 2004. Nice to see you’re finally catching up.
Robin says:
William – I’m not sure if you’re talking to the blogger or me, but I first heard the Zac Brown Band back in 2002 have followed them ever since. I loved all of their albums since their 2004 original release of “Far from Einstyne”.
Last year was their “break through” year so while they’ve been an active band for many years, that is usually the case for artists. Most artists don’t just start one day and make it big the next.
Will says:
I’ve known Clay for many years and I’m so glad to see that others are finally recognizing his massive talent. Congrats to all in ZBB.
Peacock Queen says:
Best performance of the night, in my pushy know it all opinion.
Ron says:
Used to love going out and watching a guy named Zac at Dixie Tavern and Sidelines. He looked like a computer programmer with a guitar. He was an outstanding talent and yet not a single radio station in/around Atlanta would play him. Thank you country music for recognizing talent!
I See says:
Why didn’t Luke Lewis, Mercury Records and the original Sugarland band stick up for Clay?
mary roberts says:
love zac brown and i’m proud there from georgia they made us proud.
Sharon says:
Dangone Right they mad Georgia proud and all the people who have followed them for many years! Rock on!
Karen says:
Watched the Grammys from Australia and had never heard of the zac brown band. This was the best performance by far the vocal at the start actually brought tears to my eyes and sent shivers down my spine - absolutely phenominal. These guys are amazing and I am now a massive fan
Jim says:
Congrats ZBB! I first met Zac back in 2004 and have loved his music ever since. That’s very interesting about Clay. If thats the reason it makes me wonder why they let Coy and Chris on stage since neither one of them were on the cd. They both joined ZBB after “The Foundation” was recorded. ( check the inside of the cd jacket)Regardless, 2010 is going to be agreat year for ZBB!
mahalia says:
I am not going to go there with Taylor but instead talk about the BIGGEST standout moment for Country on the show and that was ZAC BROWN BAND. I just love Zac Brown Band, they made Country Music so proud last night at the Grammys. For the first time in a long time I think Country Music has a band worthy of taking over the mantle left by Alabama. Loved their Grammy performance especially how they started out with a shout out to the military. Country music has something real special in them. THEY ARE WHAT WE SHOULD BE TALKING ABOUT. Won Best New Artist in all of music also, even Taylor didn’t win that when she was nominated last year. SO STOP ALL THIS FOCUS ON TAYLOR AND GIVE KUDOS TO THE COUNTRY BAND THAT REALLY WAS THE STANDOUT FOR COUNTRY.
timcun says:
I watched The View Monday after the Grammy’s. Whoopi Goldberg isn’t a Country music fan and had no idea who Zac Brown Band. But she was so impressed with them she played part of their Grammy performance on The View and raved about their vocals and music. Personally, I thought they had the best performances of the night.
Not Josh says:
Please quit calling them a “country” band or infering that ZBB are somehow “country’s” latest thing. This band is way beyond country music and can’t be labeled. They had their break through hits on country radio but they are far more than country. They are, simply, just a great band (no label needed).
timcun says:
People label Zac Brown Band as Country just like they label Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney,Carrie Underwood, Sugarland, Rascal Flatts, etc, etc, as Country.
Rorie says:
I just heard “Toes” for the first time and when the song was starting all I could think about was how much the music sounded just like Dixie Chicks “Goodbye Earl”