In a time where country music continues to evolve and blend with other genres, Zach Top stands out as a refreshing voice devoted to preserving the traditional sounds that built the foundation of country music.
It’s kinda wild — we were listening to Morgan Wallen the other day and kept catching these little gems of old-school country hiding in his modern sound. Don’t get us wrong, we enjoy his stuff, but it got us hungry for something more traditional.
That led us down the Spotify rabbit hole to Zach Top, and we’re sooo glad we did. He’s not trying to reinvent the wheel or chase radio trends — he’s just making honest country music the way it used to be made.
Country Boy, Country Roots
Zach grew up in Sunnyside, Washington, working on his family’s farm. This wasn’t some marketing backstory created by a record label — it was his real life. The dirt under his fingernails and early mornings taught him the same values that great country music has always been about: hard work, family, and connection to the land.
When Zach sings about rural life, he’s not making it up or romanticizing it. He’s lived it. That authenticity comes through in every song.
From left to right: Merle Haggard, George Jones, and Buck Owens
Learning from The Country Classics
Instead of following whatever was hot on the charts, young Zach fell in love with the legends – Merle Haggard, George Jones, and Buck Owens. He didn’t just casually listen to their records; he studied them. He wanted to understand what made their music tick.
He taught himself to play multiple instruments, including steel guitar, because he wanted complete control over his sound. No studio executives telling him to add a drum machine or electronic beats — just pure country instrumentation.
Bluegrass Beginnings
Before going solo, Top honed his skills in the bluegrass scene, performing with various groups and developing the technical proficiency and vocal harmony work that would later distinguish his country recordings.
The discipline required in bluegrass music — where technical precision and vocal purity are paramount — prepared Top for his eventual transition to country music while giving his sound a distinctive edge that separates him from his contemporaries. If you haven’t yet experienced the pure joy of Zach Top in the North Country band performing “Freeborn Man” back in 2016, you’re in for a huge bluegrass treat.
Songwriting Authenticity
What truly sets Zach Top apart is his dedication to honest, straightforward songwriting that echoes the traditions of country music’s golden era. Zach writes about real life — the good and the bad, the heartbreaks and the victories.
Our Fav Zach Top Songs:
His songwriting reflects real-life experiences and observations, covering traditional country subjects like heartbreak, rural living, and personal struggles without resorting to manufactured narratives. This authenticity resonates with listeners who crave substance in their country music.
Keeping Tradition Alive
Zach’s committed to the traditional country sound — pedal steel, fiddle, honky-tonk piano — the instruments that defined country music before it tried to sound like everything else. When you hear his records, you might think they were made decades ago, except the voice and the stories are fresh.
He often uses analog recording techniques instead of digital processing. The result is music that sounds warm and authentic rather than slick and manufactured.
Building a Following the Old-Fashioned Way
What’s really impressive about Zach’s rise is that he’s found success without compromising. He didn’t chase trends or water down his sound to get on the radio. Instead, he just made music he believed in, and people found him.
Word of mouth, streaming, and killer live shows have built him a dedicated fan base who were hungry for traditional country.
Stay Wild, Stay True, Stay Country.
