Country star Zac Brown is stepping into a new role this fall — mega mentor on “The Voice.” The Grammy-winning frontman of the Zac Brown Band is joining season 28 of the NBC singing competition, where he’ll mentor contestants from Snoop Dogg and Michael Bublé’s teams during the Knockout Rounds.
The Knockouts begin Monday, October 27, marking one of the toughest stages of the competition yet. Each coach will enter the round with eight artists, but with no steals or saves, only the strongest performances will move on to the Playoffs — the last stop before the Live Shows.
Zac Brown Brings His Country Wisdom to ‘The Voice’ Season 28
For Brown, joining “The Voice” as a mega mentor wasn’t just about giving advice — it was about connecting through music. Speaking with People ahead of the announcement, the “Chicken Fried” singer said he was blown away by the level of talent among the contestants.
“Some of those singers are way better singers than I am,” Brown admitted. “But that’s the great thing about music — somebody can be like an X-Men. They have these superpowers, but they have to figure out all the life skills, business skills, discipline, perseverance, and learn all these things too.”
Brown added that the experience inspired him as much as it motivated the artists. “I think, in the best case, we’re all expanders for each other,” he said. “As humans, we try to sharpen each other, we try to help each other. But I was definitely inspired, and it makes me want to be a better singer.”
What the Mega Mentor Learned From Snoop Dogg and Michael Bublé
Working with coaches Snoop Dogg and Michael Bublé was also a highlight for Brown, who said he learned as much from them as the contestants did. “I really love the wisdom that they were sharing with everybody because most of it resonated perfectly with me and what I felt and what I was thinking,” he explained.
During filming, Brown said he even picked up a few “Snoopisms.” “Like sharp as a mosquito’s needle. I don’t know — there’s a hundred that I’ve heard today,” Brown joked. “So I think just really seeing their heart, both of them, Michael and Snoop — those are my people.”
The 47-year-old singer also shared that he entered the show with an open mind. “The older that I get, the less expectations I try to have,” he said. “Because then if it’s not exactly what you think, you might be disappointed. I’m trying to live in the flow of whatever’s happening.”
As a father of five, Brown said stepping into a mentorship role felt natural. “I teach my kids things all the time,” he shared. “I love anything that I can do to add value to people. It feeds me.”
Brown, who’s gearing up for the December release of the Zac Brown Band’s new album “Love & Fear,” said the experience on “The Voice” was nothing short of inspiring. “It was an incredible day. I got to hear amazing talent and work with incredible artists,” he said.
Fans can catch Brown on “The Voice” Monday nights on NBC, mentoring teams Snoop and Bublé as the competition heats up in the Knockouts.
