Zac Brown made a name for himself and his band in the mid-2000s when he came to Nashville and released a song called “Chicken Fried.” The song topped the charts and won CMA Awards and Grammys. The band is still at it, making music and touring the country each year.

In their remarkable career, Zac and the band released seven studio albums, two live albums, one greatest-hits album, and two extended plays. They also have 16 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs or Country Airplay chart, of which 13 have reached number 1. Their first album, The Foundation, is certified triple-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, while its follow-ups, You Get What You Give and Uncaged, are certified platinum.

A native of Georgia, Zac is the elevnth child of a family of twelve children. He was given a guitar by his mother at age 8, and he learned to play the instrument by a patient of his stepfather’s (a dentist). After two years of lessons, he began to love the guitar and started to play bluegrass music while playing with his father and brother on weekend visits. Brown also dove into singing being tutored by a vocal coach from his church. He himself has five children, four girls and a son with his wife of 12 years (they divorced in 2018), Shelly.

Zac is also known for his love of cooking and often treats fans to what he called an “eat and greet” backstage before his shows. in 2017, he made an investment into the Stillhouse Creek Distillery in Lumpkin County, Georgia, which was later rebranded the Z. Brown Distillery.

In 2019, Brown released a pop surprise album titled The Controversy. The album, which has a parental advisory on it, is described as “Zac Brown’s first-ever solo album featuring his signature dynamic artistic range and unique pop melodies.” The Controversy, is independently released on all digital platforms by Home Grown Music.

As Zac celebrates his 45th birthday today (7/31), we countdown what we believe are Zac’s best number-one songs on country radio.

RELATED: 7 Zac Brown Band Items To Get 'Knee Deep' Into

• 8 - "Homegrown" (2014)

  This song is about a man satisfied with his life rather than what it could be. The man sings about having everything he needs and nothing he doesn’t, namely the “good friends that live down the street.” The tune was the first single from the band’s fourth studio album, Jekyll + Hyde.

• 7 - "Colder Weather" (2011)

  This song is about a man satisfied with his life as it is, rather than worrying about what it could be. The man sings about having everything he needs and nothing he doesn’t, namely the “good friends that live down the street.” The tune was the first single from the band’s fourth studio album, “Jekyll + Hyde.”

• 6 - "As She's Walking Away" featuring Alan Jackson (2010)

  This fabulous duet with Country Music Hall Of Famer Alan Jackson won the Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals at the 53rd Grammy Awards. It is the second Grammy for both the band and Jackson overall.

• 5 - "Sweet Annie" (2013)

  The music video for this sweet song that Brown co-wrote premiered in October 2013. It featured an edited video of Coy Bowles’s wedding, who is a member of the band.

• 4 - "Loving You Easy" (2015)

  This catchy song with soul and funk vibes was released as the third single from the band’s fourth studio album, Jekyll + Hyde, on May 4, 2015. The song was written by Zac Brown, Al Anderson and Niko Moon.

• 3 - "Toes" (2009)

  A big hit for the group. The song’s music video includes a central character named “Flody Boatwood” and several cameo appearances, including Kid Rock. Portions of the music video were shot at Daniel’s Grocery off of Pilgrim Mill Road in Forsyth County, Georgia, and on Lake Lanier.

• 2 - "Knee Deep" featuring Jimmy Buffett (2011)

  This fun song also features a movie star in the video as it was filmed in Careyes, Mexico, and features actress Juliette Lewis. The song is about laying back and having no worries.

• 1 - "Chicken Fried" (2008)

  The song Zac Brown Band is known for. Their very first single and first number-one song. In 2009, Alan Jackson revealed that he planned to record the song shortly before the Zac Brown Band version was released but declined because he felt that he had too many other songs that mentioned food.

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