Zac Brown Band Breaks Southern Ground in Oklahoma

The Zac Brown Band took their Breaking Southern Ground Tour to the Oklahoma City Zoo Amphitheater on Oct. 4, proving they can hold their own with their first headlining trek this fall.

After an introduction to the music of Levi Lowery and Sonia Leigh -- Atlanta-based artists signed by Zac to his indie label, Southern Ground Records -- fans were treated to a behind-the-scenes glimpse into life on the road and at home for the band with a 10-minute video which played on the theater screens above the stage.

After the screen went dark, the stage lit up and the band launched into their second hit single, 'Whatever It Is.' Instantly, the crowd of 6,000 had the dark amphitheater pulsating with flashes from cameras and cell phones.

The stage's living-room feel is obviously intentional, creating the sense that the crowd has stumbled into a family jam session.

"We play music because we love it," Zac told the crowd as a drizzling rain continued to fall. "When you spend your hard-earned money to come to a show like this, we realize where it comes from, so thank you for that."

Mixed in with their original material, the band offered fans a selection of cover tunes, including 'The Devil Went Down to Georgia' and their take on Ray LaMontagne's 'Jolene,' which can also be found on Zac and company's 'The Foundation.' They also treated the crowd to a new tune slated for their next album, due in 2010.

"Y'all didn't know you'd be getting some therapy tonight, did you?" Zac joked after their performance of 'Junkyard.' "How did that song make you feel?"

As the crowd begins to recognize the opening notes of the group's first No. 1 single, 'Chicken Fried,' those who were sitting have now joined the others already jumping and dancing to the music, fists pumping and beer cans held high, singing back every word to the band.

"We are not through yet, the show is not over!" Zac warned as the band left the stage to make way for the third Southern Ground Records act of the night, Nic Cowan.

Returning to close out the show, the band offered a few final tunes, including their current single, 'Toes,' leaving the crowd with "not a worry in the world."