After previously clashing with fellow Tulsa, Oklahoma-native musician John Moreland, Zach Bryan has released a new version of his song “Memphis; The Blues,” replacing Moreland’s feature with J.R. Carroll.
The Moreland version of “Memphis; The Blues” had been included on Bryan’s 2024 album The Great American Bar Scene. Carroll has been a keyboard player in Bryan’s band and also released his first full-length album, Dark Cloud, in 2024.
“‘Memphis; The Blues’ is back out with @jrvcarroll,” Bryan wrote on Instagram. “Promise is a promise. Honored to have done this with one of my best friends in the world. Catch us belting this in Europe and across the states all summer. Thank you brother and we love u guys.”
The new version of the song comes after Moreland voiced his disapproval when it was revealed that Bryan had reportedly sold his publishing rights to Merritt Group and reupped his label deal with Warner. The Hollywood Reporter noted that the deals earned Bryan approximately $350 million.
“$350 M is a lot to pay for the f—in’ off-brand version of me,” Moreland wrote May 7 on Instagram, adding, “Y’all have a great day.”
Bryan responded by sharing a screenshot of Moreland’s comments and stating, “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 that this is the reason! No hard feelings! Confused as sh–, Tulsans look out for Tulsans.”
Bryan then removed the Moreland collaboration from streaming platforms.
Moreland responded by saying he didn’t regret his statement or the fallout. “As far as I’m concerned, getting kicked off a Zach Bryan album is way f—ing cooler than being on a Zach Bryan album. At this point, I’ve hung out with him five, six times. I don’t like this mother—-er. Like, am I supposed to be upset?”
Moreland added, “If I was asked to be on the album today, I wouldn’t do it. I don’t want to be on an album with a dude who is a di–head to my wife and my friends right in front of me every time I see him. I don’t want to be on an album with a dude who I’ve heard tell borderline racist jokes more than once. I don’t want to be on an album with a dude who brings a 19-year-old girl in the bar, and then when they tell him she can’t be in there, looks at me like I’m supposed to have his fucking back. I don’t like that person.”
After the new version of the song released on June 11, Carroll wrote on Instagram Stories, “It is out. I hope y’all like it. I’m going into hiding in a couple of hours so I don’t read comments that hurt my feelings hope you guys have a good day.”
Listen to the new version with Carroll below:
