Two Oklahoma State University graduates are playing the biggest stages in front of thousands as part of Zach Bryan's "With Heaven on Tour."

Isaac Washam and Ryan Hatcher, both Greenwood School of Music alumni, and their band King Cabbage Brass Band are taking what began in practice rooms and performance halls on a nationwide touring experience.

“I still cannot believe that I get to perform music for a living with such a fantastic crew and team,” Hatcher said.

The band has toured with Bryan on multiple stops, including shows at Cain's Ballroom, a historic live music and concert venue in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

“I was a bit in disbelief when I found out,” Washam said. “It’s a blessing to get to perform music, and to get to do it on a stage as big as Zach Bryan’s is humbling.”

Washam graduated in 2011 with his music performance degree and plays the trombone in the band, as well as teaching the instrument to students at the University of Tulsa.

“Performing definitely puts all the hard work of practicing and preparation into perspective,” Washam said. “To be great at anything takes what it takes, and knowing how hard it can be gives me ways to be empathetic with students and help them grow through struggles.”

Hatcher plays the trumpet and graduated in 2014 with his music industry degree before joining the King Cabbage Brass band and reuniting with his old friend, Issac.

“Honestly, the feeling of making music with my friends surpasses any thrill a large crowd affords me; knowing that I can add something to our musical endeavors and continue to learn and grow in my field is the greatest thrill I could ever imagine in a career,” Hatcher said.

Both musicians credit their time at OSU for shaping the way they approach performance today.

“To this day, I still get up and play a fundamentals routine similar to the one I learned back at OSU from Paul Compton,” Washam said. “Paul was able to exemplify a work ethic and love for trombone/music that still resonates with my playing/teaching today, and I think that is special to OSU.”

Hatcher said he is confident that the discipline and fundamentals he learned at OSU directly guaranteed him a position with King Cabbage.

“No professors pushed me harder than Dr. Joseph Missal and Dr. Andrew Cheetham, who helped me think about trumpet differently than I was used to, to approach it from every angle and not just rest on my background of playing in jazz bands,” Hatcher said.

The King Cabbage Brass Band was invited to play with Bryan being asked to “bring our horns, and see if it all worked out,” said Hatcher. They were later invited to join the tour and perform in cities nationwide.

The 2026 stadium tour includes more than 40 dates across North America and Europe, running from March 7 to Oct. 10. The tour supports Bryan’s sixth studio album, “With Heaven on Top,” featuring live debuts of new music alongside fan favorites.

“I think playing for the crowd at the record-breaking show in Michigan at the Big House in Ann Arbor has been the most memorable for me,” Hatcher said.. “We knew going in that it was slated to be a record-breaking size crowd before, but it totally hits differently when you are on stage experiencing it … I will never forget that feeling!”

While performing on a big stage is any musician's dream, the tour doesn't come without its road bumps.

“Memorizing the music can be challenging for a gig like this,” Washam said. “On top of knowing my specific trombone part, I need to be extra familiar with the complete song/form in case things change on the spot.”

Hatcher said he tries to stick to the fundamentals such as flexibility, breathing, intervals, improvisation and scales.

“I try to challenge myself to new frontiers every day,” Hatcher said. “Trumpet can get pretty frustrating sometimes as you never know what kind of day you may have, but I have a fighting chance when I practice the same habits day-in and day-out.”

As the tour continues across North America and Europe, Washam and Hatcher show no signs of slowing down. With each performance, they carry their OSU roots onto bigger stages, turning years of preparation into a career that continues to grow.

“The person who loves to walk is going to get much farther than the person who wants to get somewhere,” Washam said

Hatcher also gave some encouragement to aspiring OSU musicians.

“Work hard at what you do, even if it is not music right after you leave college, but stay humble and keep pursuing opportunities,” Hatcher said.

Story By: Annelise Vinson | annelise.vinson@okstate.edu