5 Shocking Collaborations And The Emotional Journey Behind Zac Brown Band's New 'Love & Fear' Era

The Zac Brown Band has officially launched into one of the most exciting and emotionally resonant phases of their career, marking a major milestone with a brand-new album and a spectacular, limited-run residency. As of late 2025 and heading into 2026, the GRAMMY® Award-winning group is dominating headlines with their ambitious new project, Love & Fear, which dropped in December 2025, alongside a groundbreaking series of shows at the state-of-the-art Sphere in Las Vegas. This new era is defined by a deep dive into themes of resilience and duality, amplified by some of the most unexpected musical partnerships in recent memory.

The band's latest work and tour are not just a musical spectacle; they are a testament to the enduring spirit of the group, particularly bassist and co-founder John Driskell Hopkins, who continues to perform while managing his journey with an ALS diagnosis. The combination of high-profile collaborations, a revolutionary concert experience, and a powerful personal story makes this period a must-follow for the Zamily and all music fans.

The Architects of Southern Sound: Zac Brown Band Biography & Current Lineup

The Zac Brown Band (ZBB) is an American country music group that seamlessly blends Southern rock, country, reggae, and pop, creating a distinctive and multi-genre sound. The band was founded by its namesake, Zac Brown, who was born on July 31, 1978, in Cumming, Georgia. Growing up near Lake Lanier as the eleventh of twelve children, Brown’s early life and passion for music led him to form the band in 2002.

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The band's rise to multi-platinum status was cemented by hit songs like "Chicken Fried," "Toes," and "Knee Deep," earning them numerous accolades, including multiple GRAMMY® Awards. The current, long-standing lineup is an ensemble of accomplished musicians, each bringing a unique element to the group's signature sound.

Zac Brown Band Official Member Roster (2025–2026)

• Zac Brown: Lead Vocals, Guitar
• Coy Bowles: Guitar, Keyboards
• Clay Cook: Guitar, Keyboards, Mandolin, Steel Guitar, Vocals
• Daniel de los Reyes: Percussion
• Jimmy De Martini: Fiddle, Vocals
• Chris Fryar: Drums
• John Driskell Hopkins (Hop): Bass Guitar, Vocals

John Driskell Hopkins' Inspiring Journey with ALS

A significant emotional core of the band’s current era is the journey of founding member and bassist, John Driskell Hopkins. In December 2021, Hopkins announced his diagnosis with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease.

Despite the diagnosis, Hopkins has remained an active and vital part of the Zac Brown Band, continuing to perform and create new music. He has stated that "keeping going is really important," turning his personal battle into a mission to raise awareness and fund research through his "Hop on a Cure" foundation. His resilience and determination are a powerful, underlying theme in the band's latest performances and album.

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The 'Love & Fear' Album: A Deep Dive into Duality and Resilience

The release of the new album, Love & Fear, in December 2025, is the central pillar of the Zac Brown Band's current activities. The 13-track project is arguably one of the band's most ambitious and expansive bodies of work, exploring complex emotional themes that resonate deeply with their personal and collective experiences.

The album is built around the concept of duality, specifically the push and pull between "love" and "fear." It blends the band's familiar country and Southern rock foundation with new elements of pop and high-concept production, reflecting the internal and external challenges faced by the members. Themes of vulnerability, introspection, and resilience are woven throughout the tracklist, which Zac Brown himself has called his "masterpiece so far."

The 3 Most Unexpected Zac Brown Band Collaborations on 'Love & Fear'

The *Love & Fear* album has generated immense buzz not only for its thematic depth but for a series of high-profile, genre-defying collaborations. These partnerships underscore ZBB's willingness to push musical boundaries, bringing the Southern rock collective into conversation with hip-hop and country legends.

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1. Snoop Dogg: A Crossover That Stuns

Perhaps the most talked-about collaboration is the track "Let It Run," which features the iconic rapper Snoop Dogg. This pairing is a bold statement, merging Zac Brown's signature storytelling with Snoop Dogg's smooth, West Coast hip-hop delivery. The song is a testament to the band's genre fluidity, proving that their country-rock sound can successfully bridge the gap to rap and R&B influences.

2. Dolly Parton: The Queen of Country's Touch

A collaboration with the legendary Dolly Parton brings a powerful, traditional country soul element to the album. While the specific track title is highly anticipated, the inclusion of the Queen of Country is a massive nod to ZBB’s deep roots and an instant classic for country music fans. This track is expected to be a highlight, showcasing the vocal harmonies and songwriting depth that have defined both artists' careers.

3. Marcus King: The New Guard of Southern Rock

The band also tapped into the modern Southern rock scene by collaborating with Marcus King on the track "Hard Run." King, known for his powerful guitar work and soulful voice, represents the next generation of the genre. This collaboration grounds the album in a raw, blues-rock energy, ensuring that ZBB honors its rock influences while exploring new territory.

Love & Fear at Sphere: The Las Vegas Residency (2025–2026)

To celebrate the release of their masterpiece album, the Zac Brown Band launched a highly exclusive limited engagement residency at the revolutionary Sphere Las Vegas. This residency, titled "Love & Fear at Sphere," is a monumental undertaking, placing the band among the first country-rock acts to headline the cutting-edge venue.

The Sphere shows are designed to tap directly into the lyrical themes and duality of the *Love & Fear* album, utilizing the venue’s immersive, high-resolution LED screen and advanced audio system to create an unparalleled concert experience. The residency kicked off in December 2025, coinciding with the album release, and continues with dates into early 2026.

Key Residency Dates and Details

• Venue: Sphere, Las Vegas, NV
• Initial Run: December 2025 (Multiple sold-out dates)
• Extended Dates: January 2026 (Including January 9, 10, 16, & 17)
• Experience: The show is a visual and auditory spectacle, translating the album's themes of light and darkness, vulnerability and strength, into a 360-degree environment.

The ZBB’s commitment to innovation extends beyond the stage. For the Sphere residency, the band also revealed exclusive merchandise collaborations with various brands available only at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, further cementing the event as a complete cultural moment.

In summary, the Zac Brown Band’s current era is a powerful convergence of personal resilience, musical ambition, and technological innovation. The *Love & Fear* album, with its stunning collaborations with Snoop Dogg, Dolly Parton, and Marcus King, provides the emotional and artistic foundation, while the Sphere residency delivers a visual and sonic experience unlike any other. This period is a definitive statement that the band is not only enduring but thriving, continuing to evolve their Southern rock and country soul sound for a global audience.