# Zach Bryan Shares Song Royalties With Former Navy Commanding Officer The country star credits his military mentor for his successful music career trajectory. - **Source:** [Us Weekly](https://www.usmagazine.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-06 - **Topic:** [culture](https://brifing.si/c/culture) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/eea75b1c-97c4-4899-8c3b-4dbd726fc0bb ## Mentorship During Military Service Country music star Zach Bryan credits his former Navy commanding officer, Alba, for his professional success. Bryan served in the U.S. Navy for eight years, enlisting at age 17. He maintains that Alba provided the essential encouragement required to begin recording music, effectively launching his career while he was still actively enlisted. ## Financial Recognition of Guidance To honor this foundational support, Bryan provides Alba with a percentage of royalties from every song he releases. The musician views this financial arrangement as entirely justified, noting that Alba’s belief in his talent was the primary catalyst for his artistic journey. This ongoing contribution has helped facilitate Alba’s comfortable retirement. ## Military Roots and Values Bryan’s connection to the military runs deep, as he followed in the footsteps of both his father and grandfather. Serving from 2013 until 2021, he achieved the rank of Aviation Ordnanceman Second Class. He has stated that the structure and discipline of the Navy were instrumental in shaping his personal character. ## Transition to Full-Time Music While serving, Bryan released his first two albums, DeAnn and Elisabeth, alongside two EPs. Following the viral success of his track Heading South, he received an honorable discharge in 2021 to pursue music full-time. Since then, he has expanded his discography with four additional studio albums and three more EPs. ## Deep Personal Connection The bond between the two men remains strong beyond professional financial ties. Bryan describes Alba as family, noting that Alba’s children refer to him as their uncle. They continue to see each other whenever possible, and Alba frequently attends Bryan’s live performances to support the career he helped initiate years ago. ## Reflecting on Military Life During a recent conversation with Matthew McConaughey, Bryan expressed genuine nostalgia for the structure provided by military life. He remains proud of his service record and the legacy of his family members who served before him. This period of his life remains a central theme in his ongoing creative output. ## Upcoming Memoir and Projects Fans can expect a deeper exploration of these experiences in Bryan’s upcoming memoir, titled Young Manhood and Other Donatable Organs, scheduled for release in January 2027. This project complements his latest EP of the same name, which features notable collaborations with artists such as Lana Del Rey and the Turnpike Troubadours. ## Significance of Artist Gratitude Bryan’s decision to share royalties highlights the rare intersection of personal loyalty and professional success in the music industry. By acknowledging his mentor’s role in his rise to stardom, he underscores the importance of early guidance. This arrangement serves as a tangible testament to the lasting impact of his military service. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/zach-bryan-gives-his-navy-officer-percentage-of-royalties/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._