Zach Top’s name says it all as he continues to rise to the top of the Country charts with his single, “I Never Lie,” off his debut album, Cold Beer & Country Music. With that, Top has also been tapped as the next Audacy LAUNCH artist, presented by Macy’s.
LISTEN NOW: Zach Top joins Audacy’s Katie Neal
As a LAUNCH artist, Top and his music will be featured on Audacy Country stations across the nation that are committed to shining a light on his talents.
The Sunnyside, Washington native has captured fans with his distinct, traditional Country sound that’s offered a breath of fresh air in a genre currently overwhelmed by crossover artists and blurred genre lines. While other emerging artists search endlessly for new ways to stand out, Top has done it by standing firm in tradition.
The 27-year-old is the first to admit he’s been surprised by the warm welcome of his conventional sound, especially with current single, “I Never Lie.” With a lyrically sarcastic approach modeled after songs like George Strait’s “She Told Me So,” Top says it was immediately one of his favorites on the album, but he never expected it to take on a life of its own.
“It’s one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written and definitely one of my favorites on the record,” he said before admitting he never saw it being a single or even a fan favorite. “It doesn’t sound like anything that’s working right now. It’s just so hardcore Country compared to even other things on my album and so, I would not have picked that one out to be the big 'hit' off the record, but I was tickled to death when it was.”
Top had the opportunity to see just how much of an impact the song had on Country music fans as he took it on the road — along with the rest of his Cold Beer & Country Music album — opening for Lainey Wilson on her Country's Cool Again Tour in 2024.
“It’s such a blast to play every night,” he said of the single. “People lose their mind at the first little *mimics guitar lick* It’s so fun!” Fans who didn’t get the chance to catch Zach live on Wilson’s trek will have the opportunity to catch him this spring as he opens four of the five shows on Alan Jackson’s Last Call: One More for the Road tour in 2025.
Kicking off February 15 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, the tour will begin just weeks after social media exploded following a satire-style video that claimed Alan Jackson is Top’s father. Clearly a joke, Top still showcased his great sense of humor playing along with it and even putting his parents on the spot.
“It’s funny as crap, the timing is quite suspicious,” Zach laughed when asked about the claims tracing Jackson back to a show in Top’s hometown nine months before Top was born. “I texted it to my mom and my dad in the group chat and I can’t remember what I said. Something like, ‘Can I get an explanation here?’ My mom’s like ‘That’s ridiculous!’ And I texted her back, ‘Is it so ridiculous?’”
While Mama Top was quick to call fake news, Zach’s dad joked he has questions for Jackson, which he plans on getting answered while visiting Top on tour. “My dad texted… ‘If you didn’t already have it planned, I’m going to need a backstage pass for that show because I’m going to need some things explained.'”
The Top family clearly has a great sense of humor about it all and Zach is hoping Alan does as well. “I hope he’s getting a kick out of it too,” he said of Jackson. “It’s fun that we’ll be on tour together, hopefully we can make a little joke out of that and have some fun with it.”
All jokes aside, Zach is honored to share the stage with one of his musical heroes and takes great pride that he could be inspiring the next generation of traditional Country stars. “It’s pretty weird and crazy and cool to think that I’m that for some other little kid out there,” he said, recalling stars like George Strait, Keith Whitley and Alan Jackson who were role models for him. “Hopefully I can set a good example like a George Strait type-of-guy did of being a great artist and a great dude.”
Listen to all Top's biggest inspirations on Zach Top's Off Radio, available on the free Audacy app
Top is well on his way to being one of those “George Strait type guys” on and off the stage as he is committed to staying humble and keeping trusted people around him. He credits those closest to him for keeping his feet on the ground despite his personal life, music, and career gaining attention like never before.
“I feel very fortunate to have a bunch of great people around me; my label, my management, my producer, family,” he shared. “Everybody around me I think is great at keeping my head out of the clouds and helping me manage growing this business and career.”
With that being said, Top is more than happy to soak in some of the unique experiences fame brings — for example, meeting fans in public. Top shared he’s always happy to take time to talk with fans who see him out and about and enjoys having the opportunity to thank them for their support while also showing them he’s just a regular guy.
“When I meet people it’s like, ‘Hell yeah you saw me in Kroger, I still buy my stuff from Kroger too,’” he laughed. “I’m here doing my grocery shopping and I’ll do a picture with you… to me, that's the people that’s buying tickets that’s paying my bills, that’s the reason I get to do this. So, if all it takes is a little picture and to say hi to me for a minute to make your day — I’m all for it.”
It’ll be hard to out-do the last year for Zach Top, but he’s looking forward to continuing the trajectory he’s on with new music, his very first headlining tour, and plenty more surprises to come in 2025.
“After the first stuff came out, it was like, ’Oh, people still like this type of Country music, or are just learning to love it now — for a lot of the younger kids,” he expressed. “It’s like, ‘Heck yeah! I’ve got a bunch more songs stacked up just like that I need to put out because these people are gonna love ‘em!’” We’ll hold you to it, Zach!
Lots more to come from Top as we continue to highlight his music and journey to Country music on Audacy stations nationwide.