As a member of the Zac Brown Band and a co-writer on several of the band's songs, including the No. 1 hits 'Knee Deep' and 'Colder Weather,' Coy Bowles has proven his skills as a hit songwriter. Now, the Georgia native is taking his creative talents to a new audience, penning his first children's book, inspired by an unlikely encounter with a guest at a dinner party.

The idea for 'Amy Giggles, Laugh Out Loud' came after Coy met a woman who repeatedly stifled her laugh throughout the evening. "Every time someone said something, she would huff and puff," Coy recalls. "Finally, somebody said, 'For the love of God, will you please just laugh out loud?'"

As it turns out, the woman had been teased as a child for having an unusually loud laugh -- a criticism she carried into adulthood. Coy's book gives her story a happy ending, while teaching a valuable lesson.

"By parents reading this book to their kids, you can get reassurance in yourself, because no matter how old you are, we're all different," he explains.

Illustrated by Leah Cebulski, with the foreword by Zac Brown, the book can be purchased here. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Camp Southern Ground, which helps children overcome social, academic and emotional challenges.

The Zac Brown Band will enjoy time off for the holidays before gearing up again at the end of December for a series of shows which includes a New Year's Eve concert in Atlanta. The band will wrap up their tour in March. Keep track of their schedule here.

Watch ZBB Sing 'Colder Weather' in Our Studio
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