Zac Brown Sends a Message to the Artemis II Crew in Space: ‘Keep Flying Strong’

Zac Brown’s musical legacy reached an literal stratospheric milestone as his beloved track “Free” was broadcast to the astronauts of the Artemis II mission, drifting through the silence of space hundreds of thousands of feet above our planet.

On Friday, April 10, it was revealed that the 2010 Zac Brown Band anthem—which previously peaked at No. 34 on the Billboard Hot 100—was selected as the official wake-up call to rouse the crew for their mission duties. The melodic selection was immediately followed by a heartwarming, pre-recorded message from Brown himself.

“Good morning Reed, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy,” Brown greeted the crew. “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 are incredibly proud of you. It takes immense courage, grit, and freedom to chase the unknown. It is the purest manifestation of the American spirit.”

“Millions back home are looking up and feeling inspired because of your journey,” he added. “Keep flying strong and stay safe. We eagerly await your return home.”

The singer and his wife, Kendra Scott, captured the monumental occasion on Instagram, sharing the genuine thrill of the moment. In the video, the jewelry designer can be heard excitedly calling to her husband, “Baby, wake up! They’re playing your song in space!”

Reflecting on the honor, Brown noted, “Finding out our music helped wake up the crew, these truly brave individuals, is an incredible privilege.”

With this event, the “Chicken Fried” star joins a rarified group of artists whose compositions have traveled beyond Earth’s atmosphere. The Artemis II crew—celebrated for being the first humans to witness the far side of the moon in daylight and for traveling further into space than any previous expedition—has enjoyed a diverse mission soundtrack. Their playlist has featured eclectic tracks ranging from Queen and David Bowie’s “Under Pressure” to Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” and CeeLo Green’s “Working Class Heroes.” NASA has since released the full official playlist for those interested in hearing what resonates in the cosmos.

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