zachary alexander brown was born on july 31, 1978, in atlanta, georgia. he was raised on lake lanier by his mother, bettye, and stepfather dr. jody moses, a dentist in cumming, georgia. the 11th of 12 children, brown attended mashburn elementary school in cumming; lakeview academy in gainesville, georgia; and south forsyth high school in cumming. he later moved to dahlonega, georgia, at age 17, where he graduated from lumpkin county high school.