Country Superstar Reveals Dark Secret Behind Every Hit

Lorne Thomson / Redferns/Getty Images Country star Zach Bryan has opened up about his dependence on alcohol, saying he was drunk while writing nearly every song of his career.

The 30-year-old Grammy-winning artist sat down with actor Matthew McConaughey for a candid conversation to mark his new EP, Young Manhood & Other Donatable Organs , where he shared more about his journey to sobriety.

Bryan said he would drink 15 or more beers a day before and after performances, and during the writing process.

“Every hit I ever had, I was pretty much drunk when I made it.

And so I had the issue of thinking I was never gonna have a good song if I wasn’t under the influence,” he said.

“This is the first project I’ve ever done that I didn’t drink a lick.

I wrote every word sober, and I sang every word 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.” He said that he drank to ease his “panic” and “stage fright,” describing, “I used to think it was the perfect routine.

No show could ever go bad if I did this: work out, shower, play my guitar, listen to Bon Iver, drink four beers.

It eased my pain.

All the stage fright I had was gone after I drank three or four beers, and I was like, ‘I can do it.’” He continued, “Then I’d drink after the show, too.

I’d wake up the next day with another show and think, ‘Well, how do I get rid of this panic, this stage fright? It’s a one-choice deal.

Let’s do what we’ve always done.’ I’d drink two or three more beers.” Bryan told McConaughey that his drinking concerned him to the point where he had to see a doctor.