AceShowbiz - In a recent Rolling Stone cover story, Zach Bryan, a 28-year-old Oklahoma native, expressed his desire to transcend the country music label. "I don't want to be a country musician," he told Bruce Springsteen, a legendary figure known for his own genre-defying influence. "I want to be a songwriter."

Despite topping the country charts with hits like "Something in the Orange" and "I Remember Everything", Bryan aspires to explore different artistic avenues. He cites Bruce Springsteen, who is variously referred to as a rock, indie, and country musician, as an exemplary role model. "You encapsulate all these things in one man," Bryan said. "And that's what songwriting is."

Springsteen, impressed by Bryan's energetic performances, acknowledged his ability to break down genre boundaries. "You bust all those different genre boundaries down," the Boss observed.

Bryan's genre-transcending aspirations stem from his childhood dream of creating music that would transcend time and express the essence of his life experiences. Inspired by Springsteen's career, he strives to create music that listeners can relate to on a profound level, regardless of their preconceptions.

While Bryan has earned a Grammy Award for best country duo/group performance, he has opted not to submit his music for this year's Grammys, citing his belief that music should not be viewed as a competition. Bryan's artistic freedom and refusal to be confined to a single genre are indicative of his commitment to creating authentic and meaningful work. His journey as a songwriter and artist continues to evolve, defying easy categorization and inspiring music lovers to appreciate the boundless possibilities of musical expression.