Dear Zach Bryan – A Message of Hope From Your Music

Zach Bryan is coming, Zach Bryan is coming! This weekend Zach Bryan takes over US Bank Stadium with a show on Saturday night, and for the people heading to the show, you should be on the lookout for one person in particular from Iowa, as he has a special message for Zach. The two share an unspoken bond of personal loss.

I got an email from Theresa Kleve, who works in Oneota Iowa, hoping to get a message to Zach Bryan, about her nephew who lost his mother to COVID. This young man, Riley Rankin, has worked tirelessly since his mother's death supporting his 3 younger siblings. In an effort to reach Zach, to share her nephew's story, Theresa reached out to us. Here is her unedited letter to Zach Bryan, just as it was sent to me.

A Message of Hope from Your Music

Dear Zach,

I hope this message finds you well. My name is Theresa and I am writing to share a poignant story about my nephew, Riley Rankin, who has found a deep connection with your music during a difficult time in his life. Riley fell in love with your songs after learning about your own loss. His mom passed away from COVID, and due to the circumstances, they weren’t able to say goodbye. This profound experience has left Riley struggling with depression, yet he works tirelessly to support his three younger siblings—Landyn, Jayden, and Addyson. Your music has given him a sense of hope and encouragement to keep moving forward despite the challenges he faces. Riley often reflects on his mom, believing she is present in the sunsets, watching over them. The kids frequently look to the sky, searching for signs of her, finding comfort in the moments they believe to be messages from her. "Pink Sky" is his favorite song, and it resonates deeply with him and his siblings. On a brighter note, they recently surprised Riley by coming together to get tickets for your concert on Saturday, August 24, in Minneapolis. It would truly mean the world to them if you could give a shout-out to Riley, Landyn, Jayden, and Addyson during the concert—a special message that would feel like a connection to their mom. As their aunt, I do my best to honor my sister’s memory and raise these wonderful kids, but I know no one can replace her. Your music has been a source of light and comfort for them, and we're incredibly grateful for the impact you’ve had on their lives. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this. It would mean so much to all of us!

Best wishes, Theresa Kleve

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So Zach, if you've read this message, how about offering up a quick hello to Riley while you are on stage, as well as saying hi to Landyn, Jayden, and Addyson?