If you didn’t know any better, one run through any song Zach Top has released will have you thinking you’re listening to a long-lost country gem from the early 1990s. Instead, the Sunnyside, Washington native is creating brand new original country tunes that are bound to be staples of this era of country music, and people are taking notice.
Not only has he earned millions of streams and carved out a loyal fanbase, the 25 year-old picker has earned praise from all over the industry, from artists and folks behind the scenes alike. In fact, in the last few weeks alone, he received social media shoutouts from Carly Pearce and Jake Owen, and his newest single, “Sounds Like the Radio,” was the number one most-added song at country radio during its release week.
With the release of his aptly-titled debut album, Cold Beer & Country Music, set for April 5th, we chatted with Top all about his traditional country influences, a handful of his signature songs, what listeners can expect from the album and more!
Pro Country: Your bio references artists like George Strait, Keith Whitley and Randy Travis as major influences on your sound. What was it about their traditional style of country music that struck you?
Zach Top: That was the music I grew up on; my parents always had it playing. George Strait was their favorite; it felt like there was always a George Strait song playing at the house. I’m sure part of it is that the traditional style is what I was inundated with, but I caught the bug early on. I love all kinds of music, but that is the only kind I care to make, and the only kind I know how to make. I love the steel, fiddle and all the good stuff that sonically makes country music. I think country music also tells such great stories. It can make people feel understood and heard wherever they’re at.
PC: You formed a bluegrass band with your siblings at just seven years-old and have been playing ever since. How early in your life did you realize music was something you wanted to pursue and when did it become a reality for you?
ZT: I feel like it was always a pipe dream of mine to be able to do this for a living. It didn’t come around until 2019 when I got hooked up with my producer, Carson Chamberlain. He was the first one that made it legitimate to me. I was doing it all on my own and playing bluegrass festivals. I definitely always wanted to be making country music and to get to Nashville: I felt like that was what you were supposed to do, but I didn’t know how to get there and I didn’t know what I was going to do when I got there [laughs]. He showed me a path that I could actually see working, so I owe a lot to him for showing me the ropes in the music business. He introduced me to the town and has really helped me build this thing from the very start.
PC: You released your self-titled bluegrass album in 2022, which has since earned nearly two million streams on Spotify alone. As an artist releasing music for the first time, how important and validating was it for you to see the success that album had?
ZT: It was huge. That was the first thing I got to put out under my own name. There were a bunch of songs that I love on there: a bunch of bluegrass covers that I’d been playing at shows forever, and then there’s some country songs on there that Carson co-wrote, and I thought they might work in the bluegrass world as well, so we tweaked them and put a bluegrass sound to them, and I think it worked really well. I was really excited about that project for a long time, and I’m very thankful that it seemed to resonate with folks.
PC: “Cold Beer & Country Music” was the first “plugged in” song you released in July of 2022. Why did you feel that was the right song to introduce your traditional country sound with?
ZT: Shoot, what more do you want? Cold beer and country music is me to a T! Those are the two things I love most in the world, so I figured it would be a good way to introduce it to the folks [laughs]. I love the song: I think it’s got a great feel to it. It a good honky tonkin’, good timin’ song.
PC: You had the opportunity to debut “Cold Beer & Country Music” at the Grand Ole Opry, where you’ve since performed several times. Can you take us inside your head and talk about the emotions you felt the first time you played on the Opry stage and what kind of honor it is to take the stage each time?
ZT: I don’t think there was a whole lot going on inside my head, but I remember my heart was going about 200 beats per minute, and I don’t think that slowed down until about 30 minutes until after I got off, so that first time was a bit of a blur [laughs]. It was a bucket list moment. It’s such an honor. Everybody who’s paved the way for country music has been on that stage. To get to sing my songs and stand on the same piece of wood that all the heroes I grew up with that made me fall in love with country music stood is a surreal feeling.
PC: “Bad Luck” has become your top-streamed song on Spotify, having earned well over three million streams on that platform alone. What do you think it is about “Bad Luck” that’s allowed it to have that life and perform the way it has?
ZT: It’s funny, I don’t really know! When we cut that song, I loved it; it’s a different sounding song. It’s got a great groove to it, and I always thought it would be one of my sneaky favorites that I put out, but maybe not the biggest hit I ever had, but so far, the folks have proven me wrong. I think people can relate to the story of it and love never working out for them [laughs]. I think a lot of people can feel understood by that, but at the same time, it still maintains that lighthearted feel. I think it rides the line and lets people enjoy the struggle a little bit.
PC: Your newest single, “Sounds Like the Radio,” was the number one most-added song at country radio on its release week. What was it like to get that news and what has the support from radio been like in the few weeks since the song’s release?
ZT: I can’t thank the folks in radio land enough. We spent a lot of last year touring around and stopping at a bunch of different stations. We’ve got a lot more of that coming up this year too. They’ve been so good to me so far. That was truly humbling to see that response when the song came out. I’m so excited to see what that thing continues to do. Most of all, it let me breathe a big ol’ sigh of relief that I wasn’t crazy about radio loving on some good ol’ country music again [laughs]. I know it’s been a minute since we had a 4/4 shuffle on the radio, but I’m thankful people seem to be enjoying it!
PC: Your debut album, Cold Beer & Country Music, is set for release on April 5th. Though five songs from the record have already been released, what information can you give about the remaining songs on the album? What can listeners expect to hear?
ZT: If you like what we’ve been putting out so far, I’m positive that you won’t be disappointed in the rest of what’s to come. We have another single coming out in March called “Use Me,” which is a waltz and an ol’ cheatin’ song like they used to write a lot of in old school country music. We’re trying to bring sad songs and waltzes back. I know Keith Whitley said they ain’t selling this year, but hopefully we can prove him wrong on that [laughs]. I love that song, and so far, folks have been enjoying it out on the road.
There’s that, and then a whole bunch of stuff that I’m really excited about. There’s some stuff that we’ve had written and recorded for years, and then other stuff that’s been recorded in the last few months. I’m proud of all of it and I’m excited for folks to hear it!
PC: Cold Beer & Country Music features co-writes with Carson Chamberlain, Paul Overstreet, Tim Nichols and Mark Nesler, among many others. How much did you value the opportunity to share writing rooms with so many top-tier songwriters?
ZT: It’s an honor. That’s the most intimidating thing for me. I don’t think I’ve ever been scared to play or sing in front of anybody, but getting in a writing room with those fellas and sharing ideas and thoughts has me thinking that I hope they don’t think I’m dumb [laughs]. They’ve been really good to me, and it’s such a valuable experience to sit there, be a sponge and soak up everything they have to offer. I’ve had to pinch myself, because those are the guys that wrote the songs I grew up on that made me fall in love with country music. To sit there and create with them is pretty wild.
PC: You’re hitting the road with Lainey Wilson this summer on her “Country’s Cool Again” tour. How much are you looking forward to hitting the road with Lainey and bringing your music around the country on the tour?
ZT: I’m pumped! I’m the biggest fan of hers. I think she’s so awesome as an artist and as a person, and I’m very thankful that she chose us to go on the road with her. I think it’s going to be a blast! I think our music compliments each other very well, and I think we’ll be able to share fans as well. This will be another big learning curve with playing these bigger shows, so it’ll be fun to see how she runs her operation. We’ll be taking notes and trying to improve ourselves, but mostly, it’ll just be a big ol’ fun country time.
PC: In the last few months, artists like Carly Pearce and Jake Owen have given you shoutouts on social media. What does it mean to hear those kind words from your peers?
ZT: It means a lot. On one hand, it doesn’t seem like much to mention my name, but I appreciate it so much. They’re introducing their fanbase that they’ve built to me, and I can’t thank them enough. It’s been really cool to see that support. I’m thankful that the stuff we’re putting out is resonating with not just fans, but with other artists as well. They’ve been very kind to me. They don’t stand to gain anything from doing that; it’s out of the goodness of their hearts, and I really appreciate it every time.
PC: Before we let you go, with an album title like Cold Beer & Country Music, can you give us a few of your favorite country music beer drinking songs?
ZT: I would say Merle Haggard’s “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink” is a big one. I love Gary Stewart; I’ll drink all night to his music [laughs]. “She’s Actin’ Single” and “Out of Hand” are a few. A more fun one of his is “Flat Natural Born Good-Timin’ Man.” Alan Jackson had a bunch of dang heaters that you can raise a beer to as well. Those are some favorites!
*Zach’s music is featured on The Best of Pro Country playlist!*
Pro Country 
Zack top is VERY GOOD. 👍🏻
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