ICYMI: ZAC BROWN BAND INVENTS GRUNGE COUNTRY

Last weekend on SNL, the Zac Brown Band played a pair of songs from the upcoming album Jekyll + Hyde, due 4/28, their first under a new partnership with Zac’s Southern Ground, Republic affiliate John Varvatos Records and Big Machine Label Group.

The first number, "Homegrown," was what you might expect from a country artist; the second, “Heavy Is the Head,” was anything but, as Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell strode onstage with his guitar to deliver the aptly titled tune with Brown. That made five electric guitars, and they all blazed away through a performance that would surely get a nod of approval—and perhaps a twinge of jealousy—from fellow Nashville trailblazer Eric Church. Stronger than your morning espresso.