If you think Zac Brown looks different lately, he does. He's lost 35 pounds and he has added some classy hats to his wardrobe. Did he put his signature crochet lid on the closet shelf for good? Time will tell.

In an exclusive interview, Brown told Lon Helton of Country Countdown USA that he lost 35 pounds!  How did he do it? 

"I changed my diet, and I exercise a lot," he told Helton. "I just had my fourth daughter, so I chase my 4-year old, my 3 year old, and my 1 year old around the house helps. But I also changed my diet pretty drastically. I was home for 3 months, and that was the most I've been home since I was 18. I was able to get on a schedule, and I feel a lot better." 

Prior to his music success, Zac was a cook, and was known for a line of barbecue sauces and cook books. So, has Zac dropped his famous foods from his menu?

"They're rich, but I'm not eating as much of that stuff as I used to," the "Chicken Fried" singer told Country Countdown USA. "The butter and eggs and dairy stuff, cut out a lot of that. I drink black coffee instead of adding cream. I did a 40 day diet that was hard core. Only steamed vegetables, apples, lean protein, two meals a day. But now I'm eating normal." 

"So why the diet?" asked Helton.

"I don't wanna be tired, I don't wanna feel tired," explained Zac. "My father-in-law is 60 and is in great shape, and he's inspired me. I've got to be on the ball, for my four kids and family, so I've got to have all weapons that I can, I've got to feel as good as I can feel."

The Zac Brown Band are known for a ridiculous number of hits - "Colder Weather," "As She's Walking Away," "Toes," "The Wind" - but it would seem that the group will only gain momentum moving into a new year, according to the Taste of Country.