Gavin Adcock Talks New Album, Zach Bryan, and a $5,000 Reading Bet on The Bobby Bones Show
Gavin Adcock stopped by The Bobby Bones Show for a wide-ranging conversation covering his new album, the story behind his hit "Wannabe," life growing up on a Georgia cattle farm, and a charity challenge that could cost him a few hundred pages of reading.
The Story Behind "Wannabe"
Adcock opened up about the songwriting credits behind his viral hit "Wannabe," which lists heavy hitters like Morgan Wallen, Ernest, Brad Clawson, and Jacob Durrett. Turns out the track didn't start in a room full of stars — it started as a song Ernest sent him.
"I changed probably two or three lines, four lines and made it my own," Adcock said. One of those changes hit close to home: the original lyric name-checked East Tennessee, but Adcock swapped it out for "Bulldog Country" — a nod to his University of Georgia roots.
New Album Dropping October 2
Adcock's new record arrives October 2, and he's been rolling out music leading up to it — dropping a new song nearly every week until the album lands. The process behind picking the final tracklist was no small task. Adcock says he writes a song or two a week and had amassed around 150 songs before narrowing it down to his favorite 25.
His test for what makes the cut? Playing new songs for his band, family, and girlfriend and watching their reactions in real time. "I can just tell if they light up or if it makes them feel some type of way," he explained.
He also opened up about "demoitis" — getting so attached to a rough demo that it's hard to let the final version sound any different — calling it "the bane of my existence in the music world."
On Zach Bryan and Calling Out Big Stars
When the conversation turned to Zach Bryan, Adcock didn't dodge it. He's previously called out the fellow country star, explaining he didn't like how Bryan was treating people around him. Unlike artists who stay quiet on big names hoping to land a collab or tour slot down the road, Adcock said that's just not his mindset.
Still, he left the door open for the future, saying he hopes Bryan is doing better and predicting the two could eventually end up working together — or even up for a CMA Award together — down the line.
Life on the Farm and a Move Back to Georgia
Before music, Adcock grew up on a beef cattle farm running anywhere from 500 to 1,000 head at a time. He even planned on ranching as a career before music took off, and he recently bought land back in Georgia to eventually run cattle again as a hobby.
His long-term plan? Move back to Georgia within the next five to seven years, once his career allows for it.
The $5,000 Hunger Games Challenge
In one of the more memorable moments of the interview, Bobby put Adcock on the spot with a charity challenge tied to All In For Miller Foundation, a childhood cancer organization Adcock already donates to. The deal: if Adcock reads The Hunger Games cover to cover — no audiobook allowed — Bobby will donate $5,000 to the cause.
Adcock, who admitted reading is a struggle for him, agreed to take on the challenge. Fans will have to wait and see if he follows through.
Catch the Full Interview
Gavin Adcock's full conversation on The Bobby Bones Show covers even more, from his relationship of three-plus years to his fly fishing trip in Bend, Oregon where he reeled in 30 trout. Tune in for the complete interview, and don't miss "Wannabe" and his new music as the countdown to his October 2 album continues.
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