Zac Brown's music reached unprecedented heights, quite literally, when his band's 2010 hit song “Free” was played for the astronauts aboard the Artemis II space mission. This iconic track, which previously peaked at No. 34 on the Billboard Hot 100, was revealed on Friday, April 10, to have sounded over the speakers, serving as a unique wake-up call for the crew as they began another day of their historic work hundreds of thousands of feet above Earth.

Following the uplifting melody, the astronauts were treated to a personal message specially recorded by Zac Brown himself. Addressing the crew members—Reed, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy—Brown conveyed his profound pride and admiration. He stated, “Zac from Zac Brown Band here, checking in from the USA. We hope that piece of our song, ‘Free,’ helps start your day with the right kind of lift. We just want to say how proud we are of you. It takes courage, grit, and freedom to chase the unknown. It’s the purest kind of American spirit.” Brown further articulated the widespread inspiration the astronauts were providing, adding, “Millions back home are looking up and feeling more inspired because of you. Keep flying strong. Keep flying safe. We can’t wait to welcome you home.”

The significance of this moment was widely celebrated. The singer and his wife, jewelry designer Kendra Scott, captured their reaction to the news in a video shared on Instagram, documenting the historic event. In the clip, Scott enthusiastically informed her husband, “Baby, wake up! They’re playing your song in space!” Brown, for his part, expressed immense gratitude and honor, shouting out the “brave people on this mission” and acknowledging the incredible privilege of having their music reach such an extraordinary platform.

This unique occurrence places the “Chicken Fried” artist among an exclusive group of musicians whose songs have transcended Earth's atmosphere and been played in space. The Artemis II astronauts themselves have achieved remarkable feats during their journey, becoming the first humans to have ever witnessed the far side of the moon in daylight and having traveled farther from Earth than anyone else in history. Their daily routines in space were accompanied by a diverse playlist of wake-up songs, including “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan, “Under Pressure” by Queen and David Bowie, and “Working Class Heroes” by CeeLo Green, among others, with NASA having recently shared a comprehensive playlist of all the tracks featured during the mission.