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| Zach Bryan [Lorne Thomson/GettyImages] |
On September 13, 2025, the Born & Raised Festival in Pryor, Oklahoma, witnessed a dramatic confrontation that overshadowed the music itself. Zach Bryan, one of country’s biggest stars, scaled a barbed-wire fence to confront rising artist Gavin Adcock, culminating months of public feuding and social media sparring. The incident, captured in viral videos, exposes the raw tensions and divisive personalities defining modern country music.
The Incident: Fence-Scaling, Threats, and Security Intervention
The clash began backstage at the festival, where Bryan and Adcock faced off from opposite sides of a chain-link fence. In videos shared on social media, Bryan is heard yelling, “If they open this fucking gate, I’ll fucking kill you!” while Adcock taunted, “I got a show to play, you clown son of a bitch!”. Ignoring the barriers, Bryan scaled the barbed-wire fence, forcing security guards to physically restrain him before he could reach Adcock.
Adcock later posted a clipped version of the encounter on Instagram with the caption, “When you get death threats from Sack Cryin before you headline in his hometown”. Critics called the post misleading, with one user noting, “We all saw the full video … this lil clip ain’t fooling anybody” . Adcock defended his restraint, responding, “Had a show to play for Oklahoma. Wasn’t going to jail over that Psycho”.
Roots of the Feud: A Teenage Fan and a Social Media Clapback
The animosity traces back to July 2025, when Bryan criticized a 14-year-old fan who complained on TikTok about not meeting him after a concert at MetLife Stadium. Bryan wrote, “You’re not entitled after someone plays two and a half hours to a picture or a hello”. The fan fired back, calling Bryan a “jerk” and using the acronym “GOMD” (Get Off My Dick).
Adcock publicly condemned Bryan’s response, tweeting, “If you can’t handle the criticism of a 14-year-old why do people idolize you?” He added, “That kid was head over heels to meet you … They’re the only reason you are around”. The criticism escalated on Rolling Stone’s Nashville Now podcast, where Adcock accused Bryan of wearing a “big mask” and questioned his character: “I don’t know if Zach Bryan’s really that great of a person”.
Patterns of Controversy: Adcock’s History of Provocations
Adcock is no stranger to controversy. In recent months, he has:
- Criticized Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Album: Declared it “shit ain’t country music” during a live performance.
- Feuded with Charley Crockett: Joined Morgan Wallen onstage to mock Crockett, prompting Wallen to flip off a shirt featuring Crockett’s image.
- Positioned Himself as an Anti-Establishment Figure: Leveraged his football background and gritty persona to appeal to fans disillusioned with polished industry stars.
Bryan’s Tumultuous Year: Personal and Professional Conflicts
Bryan has faced his own share of drama:
- Ex-Girlfriend Allegations: Brianna Chickenfry (Brianna LaPaglia) accused him of emotional abuse and claimed he offered her $12 million to sign an NDA about their relationship.
- Fight with John Moreland: Removed their collaboration “Memphis; the Blues” from streaming services after Moreland criticized Bryan’s $350 million publishing deal.
- Reputation for Volatility: Known for passionate but sometimes impulsive responses to critics.
The Physical Mismatch: Football Player vs. Sensitive Songwriter
The confrontation highlighted a stark physical contrast:
- Adcock: A former defensive lineman for Georgia Southern University, standing at an estimated 6’3” and 250+ lbs.
- Bryan: Listed at 5’10” and 165 lbs, known for introspective lyrics and emotional performances.
As one observer noted, “Adcock should have an advantage provided the two ever do square up”.
Industry Reactions: Concern vs. Celebration
The country music world is divided:
- Critics of Bryan: View his behavior as unstable and concerning. One fan wrote, “You can see in Zach’s eyes and body language that he isn’t all there … He’s an angry person”.
- Supporters of Adcock: Praise his willingness to challenge industry darlings, though some accuse him of clout-chasing.
- Neutral Observers: Worry the feud distracts from the music and reinforces negative stereotypes about country artists.
Broader Implications: What This Feud Reveals About Modern Country Music
- Authenticity vs. Performance: Both artists weaponize “realness” Bryan through raw emotion, Adcock through blunt criticism.
- Social Media’s Role: Feuds escalate rapidly online, blurring lines between personal disputes and promotional tactics.
- Generational Divide: Older fans prefer traditional professionalism, while younger audiences crave unfiltered drama.
- The Oklahoma Factor: Bryan’s hometown crowd added symbolic weight to the confrontation.
What’s Next for Bryan and Adcock?
- Tour Implications: Will festivals book them separately to avoid repeats?
- Career Impact: Could this hurt Bryan’s mainstream appeal or bolster Adcock’s outsider credibility?
- Potential Reconciliation: Unlikely, given Adcock’s refusal to back down and Bryan’s silence post-incident.
The Bryan-Adcock clash is more than a personal spat it’s a reflection of country music’s evolving identity. In an era where streaming numbers and social media engagement often outweigh artistic merit, controversy can be currency. As one analyst noted, “In an industry built on authenticity and storytelling, moments like these blur the line between art and reality”.
Whether this feud fades or fuels future albums, it underscores a timeless truth: in country music, the drama offstage often rivals the stories in the songs.