Zach Bryan's Latest Controversy: Collaboration Removed After John Moreland's $350M Jab

Zach Bryan and John Moreland, two popular country artists from Tulsa, Oklahoma, recently sparked a public feud tied to Bryan’s massive new deal with Warner Records, reportedly valued at around $350 million. The conflict began after Variety reported details of Bryan’s lucrative contract extension and publishing catalog sale, which seemed to trigger a sarcastic reaction from Moreland, which quickly evolved into a drama that dominated last weekend’s timelines.

Moreland fired the first shot on Instagram, posting a photo of his tattooed head along with the caption: “$350 M is a lot of money to pay for the fu–in off-brand version of me.” This appeared to reference Variety’s report of Bryan’s massive financial deal with Warner Records, which included a new record contract and selling his publishing rights. Though Moreland deleted the post quickly, screenshots were already spreading fast.

Bryan responded sharply on his Instagram Stories, expressing confusion and disappointment that an artist he’d respected publicly mocked him. He announced that their collaborative track, Memphis; The Blues, was being removed immediately, stating:

“Yooo just saw this from an artist I’ve always respected and supported. Not trying to be dramatic but refuse to have anyone with a problem with me on my records. Replacing Memphis the Blues. If it goes down for a bit just know this is the reason! No hard feelings! Confused as shit, Tulsans look out for Tulsans.”

Bryan followed up with another post stating: “Last thing I’ll say on it. Not particularly interested in arguing with butt hurt grown men.” By late Friday, the track had been removed or grayed out on streaming platforms including Spotify, Tidal, and YouTube. Bryan clarified his intentions, writing: “Gonna re-release it btw!!! All is well!!”

The track remained unavailable across all major streaming platforms. Representatives for both artists remained silent as fans began taking sides in the escalating feud.

Instead of backing down, Moreland doubled down in a series of Instagram videos. In his initial response, he stated bluntly:

“As far as I’m concerned, being removed from a Zach Bryan album is way f–ing cooler than being included on one.”

In a shorter Instagram Story posted Saturday night, Moreland sarcastically addressed Bryan’s fans:

“Oh no, guys, the Zach Bryan fans are coming. They’re gonna ruin the part-time folk music career I’ve had since they were in elementary school.”

In a lengthier video, Moreland elaborated on his history with Bryan:

“When I was invited to be part of that album, I had no prior acquaintance with that dude. I had never met him. Just a prominent artist from my hometown [Tulsa, Oklahoma] asking me to contribute to a record. Fine. The first time we met was when we recorded the track. I didn’t form the best opinion of him, but it wasn’t a big deal.”

Moreland continued with serious allegations about Bryan’s character:

“Now, I’ve spent time with him five or six times. I really don’t like this guy… I don’t want to be associated with someone who is disrespectful to my wife and my friends in front of me every time I see him. I don’t want to be on an album with someone who has made borderline racist jokes multiple times. I don’t want to be on an album with someone who brings a 19-year-old girl into a bar, and when they tell him she can’t be there, looks to me as if I should support him. I don’t like that person.”

The track Memphis; The Blues was featured on Bryan’s 2024 album The Great American Bar Scene, which reached No. 1 on the charts. Despite the removal of the track, Moreland will continue to earn songwriting royalties if the song is re-released in a modified form.

This isn’t Moreland’s first public beef-he previously clashed with Turnpike Troubadours, specifically involving a bar altercation with a member of the band in 2024. Meanwhile, Bryan remains one of the hottest names in country music, recently earning over a billion streams for his duet I Remember Everything with Kacey Musgraves.

Bryan has also faced his share of controversies, including a highly publicized breakup with Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia in October 2024, where she later claimed he offered her a $12 million NDA. In 2025, Bryan is still addressing the fallout from this relationship.