Putting that $350 million to good use.
Earlier this week, Zach Bryan resigned his contract with Warner Records, which promises fans another two albums from the “Something In The Orange” singer. While this new record deal confirms that Bryan will have more than one “final major label record” as he previously teased via a voiceover from Matthew McConaughey for a film project titled “Motorbreath,” it also came with another aspect that means a lot of dough is coming ZB’s way.
The voiceover said:
“This is not a film about a band, this is a film about a boy from Oklahoma. A boy who joined the Navy, with a love of writing. That writing connected with people, a lot of people. This film is about a group of best friends taking a two-week motorcycle ride across America, while recording one final major label album. Oh, and the title of the film you ask? ‘Motorbreath.’”
Zach confirmed that the Motorbreath project gets underway this week… stay tuned.
According to Variety, Zach Bryan has finalized a deal with Warner Records for at least two more albums and “separately, either has sold or is in the process of selling his publishing catalog.” The total value of the deals is said to be $350 million.
To put that into perspective, fellow country music superstar Morgan Wallen’s label sold a stake in his publishing catalog for $150 million less than Bryan’s. It’s unclear what percent of his catalog they sold, but either way, we’re talking about enormous amounts of cash.
And with the extra income, ZB has just made a large purchase, buying the Saint Jean Baptiste Church in Massachusetts.
“Multi-Platinum, GRAMMY-winning artist Zach Bryan has purchased the historic former Saint Jean Baptiste Church building in Lowell, Massachusetts, ensuring its transformation into the previously announced Jack Kerouac Center. The project was initially announced in November 2022, but stalled amid the COVID-19 pandemic and funding issues.
The collaboration between Bryan and the Jack Kerouac Estate marks a significant step toward honoring the legacy of one of America’s most iconic writers while fostering creativity in the heart of Kerouac’s hometown. The former church, a beloved Lowell landmark where Kerouac served as an altar boy and mourners gathered for his 1969 funeral mass, will be converted into a vibrant cultural hub where two creative forces meet.
Bryan’s involvement marks a turning point, bringing essential funding and renewed energy. His commitment has provided the momentum needed to turn years of planning into a tangible reality, paving the way for the center to become a cornerstone of creativity and inspiration in Lowell.
The Center will feature exhibits, live music, public readings, and community events.”
While the sale was announced right after ZB re-signed his record deal, according to Sylvia Cunha, of the Jack Kerouac Estate, he has been eyeing this building for many months, and this was far from an impulse purchase.
“We’ve been working on this deal with Zach and his team for several months. Zach reached out in October, and right from the start, it was clear he shared our passion for honoring Jack’s legacy while also creating a dynamic, creative space. He stepped up and delivered in a big way, showing incredible generosity.”
WVCB Boston reported.
The community is also thrilled to see ZB step up and help see through the preservation of this church. Dave Ouellette, founder of the Acre Action Neighborhood and a key figure in the reservation project, told the Boston Real Estate Times:
“This is a game-changer for our community. Lowell has long been a place where innovation thrives, and the Jack Kerouac Center will provide a vital platform to inspire us at a pivotal moment in history, while also serving future generations.”
This project is a massive undertaking. However, after they overcome the first hurdle, bringing the 20,439-square-foot building up to code, those involved in the project feel confident it will be smooth sailing.
Zach Bryan is a big fan of Kerouac, often using his writing as inspiration for his music. The Kerouac estate has even posted some of his music to their social platforms, notably “Burn, Burn, Burn,” which was partially, if not wholly, inspired by Kerouac’s novel On The Road.
The novel includes the following passage, which ZB used as a muse for the track.
“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or saw a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars.”
Zach himself called the purchase his “life’s greatest honor.”
The estate said that more details would come in the following months, but getting the building up to code is at the top of my mind, so they can begin hosting live music and other events. If you’re interested in learning more about Jack Kerouac, the annual festival in Lowell celebrating the author is scheduled this fall from Oct. 9 to Oct. 13.
