Country star Zach Bryan is making sure he never forgets the person who believed in his music before the rest of the world caught on.
The 30-year-old singer of “I Remember Everything” recently opened up about a meaningful way he gives back to his former Navy commanding officer, Leo Alba, who helped him take his first steps toward becoming a country music star.
During an October 2026 appearance on Matthew McConaughey’s On the Porch podcast, Bryan revealed that Alba receives a percentage of the royalties from every song he releases. The gesture is his way of thanking the man who encouraged him to pursue music while he was still serving in the military.
“He’s the reason, man. He’s the reason I recorded any songs ever at all,” Bryan said, explaining why he felt sharing the royalties was justified.
“I wouldn’t be who I was without him.”
Bryan enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2013 and served until receiving an honorable discharge in 2021 to focus on his music career. During that time, Alba encouraged him to record his songs and helped make his 2019 debut album, DeAnn, possible.
The country singer has never forgotten that early support. He told McConaughey, 57, that Alba’s children call him their uncle and that the former commanding officer regularly attends his concerts.
“And I give him a percentage of every song that I release,” Bryan added.
“Because that’s how much that meant to me. Him believing in me enough to do that for me.”
Bryan also shared that Alba is now “living well” after retiring from the Navy, and the two continue to see each other whenever they can.
The story offers a touching glimpse into Bryan’s life before fame. While the singer has become one of country music’s biggest names, his rise began with the encouragement of someone who saw his potential long before he became a household name.
Bryan has also spoken fondly of his military service, which he says helped shape him as a person. During the same conversation, he reflected on following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, both of whom served in the Navy.
“I was really proud of being in the Navy,” he said.
“The Navy made a man out of me.”
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