Zach Bryan continues to recognize the military officer who encouraged his music career by sharing royalties from every song he records.
During an October 2026 appearance on Matthew McConaughey’s On the Porch podcast, the country singer revealed that his former Navy commanding officer, Leo Alba, receives a percentage of his music royalties.
Bryan explained that Alba supported his musical ambitions while he was still serving in the Navy. The officer encouraged him to record his music and helped make his 2019 debut album, DeAnn, possible.
That early encouragement became an important part of Bryan’s journey from military service to a successful country music career.
Bryan enlisted in the Navy in 2013 and received an honorable discharge in 2021, allowing him to focus on music full-time.
The singer has maintained a close relationship with Alba, who continues to attend his concerts. Bryan’s decision to share royalties reflects his appreciation for the support he received before achieving mainstream success.
Their connection remains an important part of Bryan’s story, linking his military background with his career in country music.