Zac Brown Band Tops Charts

The Zac Brown Band’s latest album, “Uncaged,” has sold 234,000 copies in its first week, a personal best for the band and good enough to land the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Album Charts.

Billboard.com reported that the band’s best sales prior to this album came with their 2010 release “You Get What You Give,” which sold 153,000 copies. The sales of “Uncaged,” have also helped said album get some new life, as The New York Times reports that “You Get What You Give” and 2008 album “The Foundation” both found their way into the top 20 on this week’s chart.

The Zac Brown Band’s stock continues to rise, as only one country album so far this year has outsold “Uncaged” in its first week — “Blown Away” by superstar Carrie Underwood. Their three albums in the top 20 is also of note, as no country performer or band has achieved that feat since the legendary singer Garth Brooks in 1992.

According to the band’s website, the group has won two Grammys, including Best New Artist in 2010, and recorded nine No. 1 singles. The Zac Brown Band is a seven-person ensemble with members Clay Cook, Chris Fryar, Coy Bowles, Daniel De Los Reyes, Jimmy De Martini, John Driscoll Hopkins and the eponymous Zac Brown.

Formed in 2002, the Zac Brown Band hit the scene with 2003 debut single “Chicken Fried,” which would eventually hit the No. 1 spot on the country charts, making them the first country group to hit No. 1 with a debut single since Heartland’s “I Loved Her First in 2006.

(Photo by David Lamarand)