November 6, 2025 • 33 mins
Zach Top is an acclaimed American country and bluegrass singer-songwriter who has quickly become a leading voice in country music’s neo-traditional revival. Born on September 26, 1997, and raised on a ranch in Sunnyside, Washington, Zach was immersed in classic country from a young age and formed a bluegrass band with his siblings at just seven years old. After years of performing with groups like Modern Tradition—winner of the 2017 SPBGMA International Band Competition—and North Country, Zach made the leap to Nashville in 2021, where his solo career took flight.His musical style is shaped by his rural upbringing and deep admiration for legends such as George Strait, Keith Whitley, and Randy Travis, blending traditional storytelling with genuine, heartfelt lyrics. In 2024, Zach released his debut studio album, Cold Beer & Country Music, featuring the breakout hit “I Never Lie,” which topped country radio and earned him the 2025 ACM New Male Artist of the Year award. He followed up with Ain’t in It for My Health in 2025, solidifying his place in modern country music while maintaining classic roots.With nominations for multiple CMA Awards and collaborations with major artists like Dwight Yoakam and Alan Jackson, Zach Top has garnered both critical and fan praise for his authentic twang and dedication to real country music. His journey from small-town bluegrass festivals to the Grand Ole Opry spotlight showcases a reverence for tradition—with a fresh, energetic approach that connects with new audiences today.
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
And welcome inside the backstage pass. Always another great day
for another great show, presented by our friends over at
Banktail Whiskey check them out at bank tail dot com
get your order in there, and of course our friends
the Caden Gordonshow dot com, Today's Best Country Mix kay
d e n and also jewelry by Tommy. Valentine's Day
coming up, we'll talk more about that with some handmade,
handcrafted jewelry. With Valentine's Day, of course approaching February fourteenth,
(00:25):
Let's say you what back in early January here on
the backstage pass, we got a notice of a guy
taking country music by storm and putting the country back
in country music too. He had the most added song
at country radio back in January January eighth, the week
of that sounds like the radio, he sounds like real
country here, Zach top on the backstage pass, Zach, what's up, buddy?
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Hey? Nothing much man, Thank you for having me on.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
I'm glad to be here, sir, Glad to have you
here too as well.
Speaker 1 (00:51):
Live on the Sports Guys podcast dot com and always
KKTC True Country ninety nine point nine and our friends
at High Tightcountry dot net. Well Hey, it's been a
whirlwind start of twenty twenty four. Before we get into
this single, talk to me about just your upbringing. Of course,
So listening to all these great artists, to Merle Haggard
and Whalon Jennings, Willie Nelson and of course all these
(01:11):
great stars that paved the way for young artists today,
your upbringing in I just love the story, but please
share it with the listeners that connect you with music
from a young age.
Speaker 4 (01:20):
Yeah, absolutely, I was. I always like to say. I
think George Strait was kind of the first thing that
caught my eye. I think you looked pretty cool in
the cowboy hat and holding the guitar, and I thought
that was as long as I can remember, and so
I wanted to shoot. I think I got my parents
talked into buying me a little Walmart guitar, probably when
(01:40):
I was three, I think. And I didn't know what
to do with it, of course, but they finally put me.
They got me in lessons when I was about the
time I turned five, I believe, and I went in
there and lady asked me what I wanted to learn
to play, and the first thing at the top of
my mind, without hesitation, was Ambery little By morning.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
He said, well, that's a nice thought.
Speaker 4 (02:01):
Maybe, uh maybe let's start with something like Jesus loves
me and we can work our way up to that.
So anyway, we got there eventually. But that was George
Strait was kind of the first one. The other real
big one early early on was Marty Robbins h for me,
we uh, my dad had an old cassette tape u
in uh in his old Chevy pickup, and I think
that was the only cassette tape he ever had in there.
(02:25):
I guess he figured if they made a better one,
he'd switch it out. But that was that was the
one I remember being in there pretty much my whole
childhood kind of.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
So we'd listened to that a ton.
Speaker 4 (02:35):
Growing up on stuff like Big Iron and and uh
Strawberry Roan and you talk Carrol, all that good stuff.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
I'll passo. And so those were those were kind of
the early ones.
Speaker 4 (02:44):
And then, uh, you know, as I got started to
kind of taking my singing more seriously, I started listening
to Keith Whitley's probably my favorite singer ever.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
Uh So he's probably number one influence on the way
I sang.
Speaker 4 (02:56):
And and then guys like Haggard Jones and you know
Dan Seals. I remember being a big fan of Dan Seals.
My folks had a we still had a tape machine.
And I'm not that old, but they still had a
tape machine downstairs in the in the house, and they
had a big old briefcase full of was I mean,
(03:16):
it was like a tapeholder. And so there's a whole
bunch of bunch of old country tapes in there. And
I just put him in there, one by one in
that tape machine and sit down there with my guitar.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
And try to learn all them songs. So I fell
in love with it early and never let it go.
I guess yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
When you talk about that too, for some of those
great artists you mentioned there too, and I mean, nineties
country is so synonymous now, and we're starting to see
with your music with a guy like Randall King, and
of course White mccoven, I threw right in there too.
We'll talk more about him a little bit. All these
great great superstars now who are coming there on Josh Ward,
Aaron Watson, Texas country guys down here. For where I'm from,
it's an important piece I think of the puzzle to
(03:53):
really bring back this this kind of music, and the
more people I talk to around the industry and of
course in it now there's this thirst and this talk
about that too, for this style of music coming back
that's been missed for some time.
Speaker 4 (04:05):
Certainly, Yeah, I think you know it's it's a funny
country music is a funny, uh funny kind of beast.
It the pendulum swings on it from one way to
the other, and we always get a big swing one way,
and then we get another big swing, you know, back
towards you know what you and me would consider more
more country type of country music, and uh, you know
(04:26):
it's been that way forever. Shoot, when when Strake came
on the scene, he kind of came out of nowhere
after things like Juice Newton and T. G. Shephard and
Kenny Rodgers. You know, we're the big dog on radio
and stuff. So George Strake kind of sounded like a
breath of fresh air even back in the eighties. So
it feels like I felt like for for a few
(04:46):
years now, we're kind of building to this sort of
point where all right, it's really gonna swing back and
we're gonna put stuff that's you know, more immediately identifiable.
Speaker 2 (04:57):
As a country and uh.
Speaker 4 (04:59):
And I say that without I never want to knock
anything anybody else is doing, because there's a lot of
big old UH stars that's connecting with a lot of
people and a lot of people loving that music. But
I just think there's there's probably room for a little
variety on the radio, you know, if it's if there's
a fellaw like Morgan Wallen and Jelly Roll and stuff,
(05:20):
I think you can mix me in there and uh
and they're gonna enjoy me and and likewise, you know,
vice versa.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
So I think I think there's room for all.
Speaker 4 (05:29):
And I'm excited to see, you know, a little more
of that old school type of the type of country
music that that made me fall in love with the
with the format, I guess see that make a bit
of a comeback, and it's fun to see, you know,
like those guys you mentioned, and then there's guys like
Jake Worthington and Drake Milligan and fellas like that that's
doing great things as well and making stone cold country music.
Speaker 1 (05:52):
Yeah, I think there's a little bit of flavor for
everybody out there too, And everybody can you know, take
it for what it's worth. Everybody in the industry that
has something to contribute and kind of give back to
the flavor. Like you said, that Beast is kind of
that pendulum. It's swinging back and forth. And of course
you see it on the award shows now because I
think Jellygrill has his own little niche kind of carved,
and you look at some of those artists that you
mentioned too. It's a great thing because people can kind
(06:13):
of flock to that, you know, nineties country sound, neo
traditional sound like you have, and then if they want
a little something newer, a little bit more of the movement,
you know, bro country, or if it's a little bit
of rock country. There's a little bit of some flavor
out there. Like I spook it for everybody. I think
that's a great thing for the industry. Well, I tell
you what I want to ask you. When you got
the news about the debut single Sounds like the radio
(06:35):
January eighth, the number one most added song to country radio,
and you got that phone call and of course everything
went out press wise. First of all, congratulations on that too,
because the song is a hit. You worked with some
amazing people on this upcoming album coming up here, Carson Chamberlain,
who's worked with Alan Jackson as a producer. You co
wrote at least every song on this record. Talk about
this record coming out April fifth, cold Beer in country
(06:57):
music and the single first of all number one, most
that at a country radio.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Yeah for sure.
Speaker 4 (07:02):
Yeah, that sounds like the radio had come out with
a big old bang.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
I think it was. I think a lot of us.
Speaker 4 (07:08):
Me and and my management and the label and everything,
uh breed a little bit of a sigh of relief.
We felt like we were gonna do something good with it.
But obviously it sticks out like a sore thumb compared
to anything else that's going on to radio right now.
And uh so, I think we all we were very
excited and breed the big old sireh relief that hey,
we weren't making it up. We're not crazy. Other Other
(07:29):
people are going to like this too. So that was
really fun to see that.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
And I was. I was floored by the response we
got from radio so far.
Speaker 4 (07:38):
And then uh yeah, as far as the far as
the record goes, Man, I'm so excited about these songs.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
It's some of them are we've been sitting on for years.
Help sounds like the radio.
Speaker 4 (07:48):
We wrote that I think three four years ago or something,
and we recorded the thing two years ago. I think
I think I got the first mix back on that
song in January of Yeah, it would have been January
of twenty two. So we sat on that song for
a long time and just felt like that was the
right one. Whenever we got to make the introduction to
(08:10):
country radio, that that was the first one we wanted
to lead with. And so we sat on that for
a while, waiting for the right time. And there's a
bunch of other songs like that that's you know there
we've been setting on for a minute. And then there's
some real fresh stuff too that we've just been writing
in the last few months. So kind of you get
a little a little look into some different phases of
(08:32):
my artist journey, I guess.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
And songwriting journey.
Speaker 4 (08:37):
So that'll be fun and honored to have worked with,
you know, some of the best songwriters in the world
on some of this stuff.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Paul over Street and Tim Nichols, Mark Nesler and.
Speaker 4 (08:49):
Michael White's on there, and obviously Carson and Wyatt mccoven
is on a handful and the.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
Things, so really excited about all that stuff.
Speaker 4 (08:58):
I think if folks have been liking what I've been
putting out so far, I think they're not going to
be disappointed with the rest of this record.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
So yeah, we're definitely picking up what you're putting down,
no doubt about that too. And you know, speaking of
Carson too, just a renowned producer and songwriter. Just on right,
I mentioned he worked with Billy Carrington, Alan Jackson too,
with a lot of the different things out there too.
To bring Carson in on a project like this, talk
about just what that means to you kind of as
a young artist, and then taking a lot of the
knowledge he has in the music business and incorporating that
(09:26):
into this record.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Yeah heck yeah.
Speaker 4 (09:29):
I mean it's me and Carson go back a little
ways now. I first got hooked up with him in
early in twenty nineteen. I guess man, he was the
first one that brought me to town. He's the reason
I'm here in a lot of ways, and he reached
out to me.
Speaker 2 (09:46):
I had a little video when Darryl Semetary passed away.
Speaker 4 (09:49):
I put up a video that kind of went a
little bit viral for me on Facebook, and he found
me off of that and sent me an email and
said he might want to work And it was funny
because I and recognize his name at first, and then
to come to find out if you do a little
Wikipedia search, there's.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
Some information on him.
Speaker 4 (10:08):
And I figured, hell, I out to email this guy back.
We all to work together. So we started, we started talking,
I guess on the phone. Yeah, in the spring of
twenty nineteen, and then that fall, I believe I started.
I started coming to town and he really treated me
like a son. He let me stay at his house.
I'd come out there for a week at a time
(10:29):
every month, and he kind of introduced me to co
writing and and showed me the ropes on a lot
of that and a lot of the music business stuff
in general. So he's He's a big reason I'm where
I'm at today for sure, and I wouldn't rather be
working with anybody else as far as you know, producer
and songwriter. I think we make a great team together.
(10:51):
And he's been really helpful, really good to me, and
I definitely owe a lot to him. And so I mean,
I don't think there's a better fit for me as
far as producer and a partner on this project, so
really excited to have him be a part of it.
Speaker 3 (11:06):
Yeah, one of the best out there.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
Carson Chamberlain too as well, and of course definitely we're
gonna come back talk a few more singles. Definitely what
made the record, including a song we played on KKTC
the other day There's the Sun, which is one of
the best ballads all time I've heard in country music
too as well of who Zach worked with on that
particular track too. But I definitely, hey, you know Valentine's
Day's coming up, Zach too, And I got to get
this in for my guy too as well, because if
you've got a sweetheart or you got a significant other,
(11:29):
it's around the corner looking for that perfect gift for
the spouse, friend, or family member. Jewelry by Tommy, Jewelry
by Tommy, Has you covered? A Burly System at yahoo
dot com today to order Burley System at yahoo dot
com today to order some of that handmade, handcrafted jewelry
just as good as a smooth country song written to
as well. Had Jewelry by Tommy out there too as well,
love him, Thank you for being a part of it.
We'll take a quick time out here on the Backstage Pass,
(11:50):
the word from Bank Tail Whiskey and our sponsors too.
More with Zach, top here, KKTC, True Country ninety nine
point nine and of course High Tide Country dot netton
always powered by the Sports Guy It's a podcast dot
com More with Zach Stay tuned.
Speaker 5 (12:04):
The Caiden Gordon Show is a two hour show playing
the best in country music, so check it out at
the Caidangordonshow dot com. Again, that is the Caden Goordon
Show dot Com.
Speaker 6 (12:18):
The Bangte por is comprised of a sweet core mash bass.
The front has a subtle sweetness and not too sharp.
It has notes of a medium char white oak for
a smoky flavor in the middle, and the tail has
a super smooth and warm finish.
Speaker 1 (12:34):
Go behind the scenes with some of the biggest artists
in music today with the Backstage Past, powered VI the
Sports Guys Podcast dot com. Joined Brandon Murrill and his
co host Kirsty Krauss as they talk to rising stars
and legends about their music careers, listen to their latest tracks,
and learn fun facts about the men and women behind
the music you love and be sure to tune into
(12:55):
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six thirty, powered by the Sports Guys podcast dot com.
Speaker 3 (13:01):
And welcome into the.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
Backstage, past and back. Here was Zachtop on the backstage
pass again powered by the Sports Guys podcast dot com
and of course out there to KKTC True Country ninety
nine point nine, always ten Mountain Times, seven nights a
week on our syndicated stations there Taus, New Mexico and Pueblo,
Colorado and always in Oklahoma City Hot Time Country dot Net.
We play a lot of Zachtop music. I hope you
(13:24):
guys are joined listening to the show and to Zach's
music out there here back presented by bank Tail Whiskey
and our friends the Cada and Gordon Show dot com,
Today's Best Country Mix and our friends at Jewelry by
Tommy too as well. There's one I got to check
out too, which was awesome. Even last year you guys
put out uh Man. I loved George Jones being from Beaumont,
Texas down here to his hometown. Just to Jones and
(13:45):
and the picture of that jukebox. Maybe go back to
what I was, I say, early a member forties. Now
went back to the kid we used to go to
this diner in town. We put the Old Quarter in
the jukebox and man, we'd play some good old hits
from Clay Walker and Tracy Bird, march Esta at George Jones.
Speaker 3 (13:59):
How did this one come about? Because man, what a tune?
Speaker 2 (14:01):
Well, thank you very much. That was a fun one. Uh.
That was That was another one with Wyatt. That was
his idea too.
Speaker 4 (14:08):
I came in with with that that title thought in
uh and uh that groove kind of on it. And
I want to say he had he had a few
lines on the course already before he brought it in
uh with with me and Carson, And it was, if
I remember correctly, I think that song fell out pretty quick.
It's you know, there's it ain't It ain't all that
deep of a song. It's a it's a good time,
(14:31):
raise your beer up in the air type of song
for sure.
Speaker 2 (14:34):
And you can definitely definitely stomp your foot to it. It was.
Speaker 4 (14:37):
It was a really fun track to cut and uh
and I think it turned out like a million bucks
And it's just you know, a feel good, fun song,
uh that I love. And and he had that that
idea too to do that that kind of yodel thing
on the front of it that holds him and which
I think, you know, kind of sets it apart and
(14:57):
gives it, gives it up its own thing a little bit.
Speaker 2 (14:59):
So that was That was a fun one and great
idea for Wyatt. He always comes in with something good
and that one was no exception.
Speaker 1 (15:06):
Now he's done a lot of number ones for Josh
Ward here in Texas for many years too, and just
what a guy too as well. If I talk to
you to day too. Definitely getting back on the show
here a few weeks. We're gonna talk about this record,
about his songwriting and a whole lot more. And then
you have another one last year. I think it was
May when it came out, but I got to listen
to it for the first time. Uh, we're all picky,
look man on the women when it comes down to it.
The kind of woman I like and just what a
(15:27):
two step in dance hall song. Get up on that
hardwood and just cut loose.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
Right, Yes, sir, Yeah, I love it that.
Speaker 4 (15:34):
That one's another fun one, and I have to disclaimer,
I still ain't found that kind of woman yet. The
that be the first to admit she's wrong, You know
that kind I don't think that exists. We got a
little uh, we got a little out of hand there
writing that one and made some stuff up, but no,
I'm just messing around. It's fun little song and uh
(15:54):
and folks seem to like it for sure.
Speaker 1 (15:56):
And then the other one too. I wanted to get
into a few more than that made the album too,
But I love this one. And we all look at
getting lost on a beach somewhere and we get to
bombarded with daily life when it comes down to it,
and just say, it was busy doing nothing. And boy,
your vocals on that one too. And I love the
fact is the lyrics and this one really came out,
I'm sure to your pleasure in the studio, y'all made
this and really come to life.
Speaker 4 (16:17):
Thank you, man. I appreciate that. Yeah, it was fun
when we wrote that with Martinsler and uh, yeah, that one.
Speaker 2 (16:25):
I guess. I'm a huge, huge Jimmy.
Speaker 4 (16:27):
Buffett fan, as I know a lot of folks are,
and listen to a ton of his music growing up
and always loved that, you know, that kind of little
niche of country music, that kind of beachy island vibe stuff.
Speaker 2 (16:40):
Billy Cringon had a bunch of that.
Speaker 4 (16:41):
Obviously, Kenny Chesney kind of built his whole thing on
that after the first couple of records and and anyway,
so that was kind of a I knew I wanted
to have that type of you know, that's just the
perfect song to crank up with with the cold beer
on the boat in the summer and or like you said,
on the beach or whatever.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
And I love that that type of feel, and it just.
Speaker 4 (17:02):
Felt like something that I didn't want to leave missing
from from my first project. So really excited about that
song and another one that we hope folks keep enjoying
No Doubt too.
Speaker 1 (17:14):
And then what we played the other day on the
radio got a ton of people saying, who.
Speaker 3 (17:18):
Is that guy? Who is that guy?
Speaker 1 (17:18):
Who's the guy He's got a little bit of George Strait,
he's got a little bit of this, a little bit
of that. I said, that is zach Top on KKTC
No Doubt. And this one comes out and made the
record too.
Speaker 3 (17:27):
Love it, and man.
Speaker 1 (17:28):
The acoustic version is just as good as the recorded
version from the studio. But man, what beautiful lyrics. And
you guys had a lot of fun with this tune.
You co wrote this. Carson Chamberlain and of course the
great White mccoven. There's the sun has so much great
positive energy into it as well. And this is something
you sing to your significant other. But man, the lyrics
(17:49):
Senate hit right to the heart.
Speaker 3 (17:51):
They really do.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
Thanks man, Yeah, that was there. You go.
Speaker 4 (17:55):
It's another Whyet mccobbined idea. He comes with a lot
of good ones. Yeah, but it's funny, man. That was
the That was the first song I ever wrote on Zoom.
They we were we were supposed to be writing a
lot on Zoom, and I wasn't writing much on Zoom.
But there was a big bad snowstorm in uh in Nashville,
I guess that was spring of twenty twenty one, and
(18:21):
and I couldn't make it to town and anyway, so
so I'm like, all right, I'm gonna have to break
down and learn what the internet is and what Zoom
is and how to work in computer, I guess. And
so anyways, we got that thing wrote, and uh, you know,
Zoom is not a very fun thing to write songs on.
I did not enjoy it. It's it's weird. You can't
really play off each other. It's hard to you know,
(18:42):
it's always cutting out, it's always lagging, you can't really
play with each other and anyway. But it's when when
we got done with that and I let a little
work tape down and send it to him, I think
we all kind of felt like there was something specially
in that song and and it was definitely, uh at
the top of the when we went into to custom tracks,
that that was going to be one at the top
(19:05):
of the list for sure.
Speaker 1 (19:07):
You know, I can't wait to catch you the live
show one day. And man, you've got a lot going
on here for twenty twenty four with the CLA Award
winners Brothers Osbourne. I've had Stay Wilson on this show
just a couple of years back before she really took
off too as well. I mean those respective tours coming
up to from those big name artists. Talk about what
it's going to be like to hit the road with
names such as that, who are now you know, busting
(19:29):
through and becoming the next superstars of country music.
Speaker 4 (19:32):
Yeah, I'm really excited about about both them things. I've
been a fan of Brothers Osborne for a long time.
They I thought their music was really cool when it
came out, just as a big old breath of fresh air,
I thought from some of the other stuff that had
been going on in country music. I'm a big fan
of those guys, and they've been really good to me
when I've got to meet him a couple of times,
(19:52):
and so very excited to go out and hopefully their
fans can fall in love with us as well. I
think our music compliments each other nicely, you know, both
a bunch of guitar heavy stuff, and so I think
their fans will love us as well. And very thankful
that they had us out. And of course Laney, she's
hotter in hell fire and can't be stopped at this point.
(20:14):
So very excited to be attached to that tour as well,
and really thankful she picked us out to go out
with her. It should be a really fun time. And
I have a ton of respect for what she's doing.
As far as you know, she's one of the top
dogs in country music right now, and she's one of
my favorites out there.
Speaker 1 (20:31):
Awesome lady too, got her fingerprint on everything right now
in country music too. We'll come back talk about that.
I got quit a couple of questions for Zach. We'll
get into rapid fire coming up here about five minutes
left your KKTC True Country ninety nine point nine and
of course High Tide Country dot net and powered by
the Sports Guys podcast dot com. But hey, guys, if
you like country music and you know Valentine's Day's coming up,
(20:51):
you can sing there's the Sun to your significant other
two as well and Valenti's Day around the corner. If
you're looking for that perfect gift or your spouse, friend,
or family member, Jewelry by Tommy has your covered. Can
email Burtley System at yahoo dot com today to order
more with Zach top Here on the show, quick break,
a word from bank Tail Whiskey, get that drink in,
get her Valentine's Day gift, and we'll come back and
talk about bad luck here on the backstage past.
Speaker 3 (21:14):
Stay tuned Mordico.
Speaker 5 (21:16):
The Caden Gordon Show Today's Best Country.
Speaker 7 (21:18):
Mix is a two hour show playing independent and mainstream
country music you know and love. Be sure to check
it out at the Kangordonshow dot com for more information
on the show.
Speaker 6 (21:31):
The banktael Por is comprised of a sweet corn mash bass.
The front has a subtle sweetness and not too sharp
as notes of a medium char white oak for a
smoky flavor in the middle, and the tail has a
super smooth and warm finish.
Speaker 1 (21:47):
Go behind the scenes with some of the biggest artists
in music today with the Backstage Past, powered vi the
Sports Guys Podcast dot Com joined Brandon Morrill and his
co host Kirsty Krauss as they talk to rising stars
and legends about their music careers, listen to their latest tracks,
and learn fun facts about the men and women behind
the music you love. And be sure to tune into
(22:08):
the Backstage Past Monday through Friday from three thirty to
six thirty, powered by the Sports Guys Podcast dot Com
and Welcome into the Backstage Past and Back. Here was
Zach Top on the Backstage Past final segment. Here too
KKTC True Country ninety nine point nine and always via
the LMNOC streaming app and also at High Tidecountry dot
Net empowered by the Sports Guys Podcast dot Com. Of course,
(22:31):
the upcoming album two is Cold Beer and Country Music,
going to be out April fifth across all those streaming platforms,
and the debut single out there Sounds like the Radio.
You can catch it out. Their most added song to
country radio. Back on January the eighth, we played it
on KKTC and the fans extremely love it out there.
Please to have Zach here on the show. So I
got to ask you about another one off this record too,
(22:51):
And this is another one we talk about the guys,
the boys, the writers bad Luck, and this is I
love these guitar riffs in this one too as well.
So come in your band and the boys for playing
some killer guitar riffs as your vocals really come to
life in that one.
Speaker 2 (23:06):
Heck, yeah, I appreciate that, man. That's yeah.
Speaker 4 (23:08):
Another one we wrote with Mark Nesler, and that's a funny,
uh funny little tune. It it uh pardon me it.
I kind of thought that that was gonna end up
being sort of a you know, my little sneaky favorite
on the record and then and then not necessarily one
of the biggest hits off of it, I suppose, but uh, folks,
(23:29):
folks definitely proved me wrong. Folks have been loving this
song and it's it's by far my most stream song,
and it keeps blowing everything else out of the water.
So I love it, you know, I think it's just
it's a different feeling song that minor thing is cool
on it and and it's got a great groove. Love
the track on it, and love the song. It's fun
and and I think a lot of people can.
Speaker 2 (23:50):
Probably relate to it.
Speaker 4 (23:51):
I know they've I've got a lot of messages and
a lot of fans saying they can relate. So glad,
glad we were able to write something that that makes
people feel something and uh, you know, and and still
sort of a lighthearted song at the end of the
day too.
Speaker 2 (24:05):
It's it's one of my favorites for sure.
Speaker 1 (24:07):
There's a lot of cool titles in this record to mention,
the cold Beer in country music being the second track
off of here too, and of course cowboys like me do.
Speaker 3 (24:15):
This is just awesome. I can't wait lonely for long.
Speaker 1 (24:17):
Uh? Is there another plan maybe kind of attention grab
or single release off this record before the tire record
comes out, or we have to wait to the entire
record to hear some more.
Speaker 2 (24:26):
No, I believe we've got one more single coming in
in March.
Speaker 4 (24:29):
Actually, okay, it's a song called use Me, kind of
everybody's favorite lately. We didn't write it all that long ago,
but it's it's been one of my one of my
recent favorites for sure. It's a good old cheating waltz,
which Keith said it best sad songs, and waltzes ain't
selling this year, but we're going to try and prove
(24:52):
them wrong on that one, and uh, we'll see if
I think, you know, folks have been responding to it
real well. We've thrown it in the set for the
last few shows and and people seem to like it
out on the road, and every time I get to
play it gets a really good response. So we're excited
about this woman and everybody at the labels all fired
up about it and they love it. So they said
that had to be the this single that we put
(25:14):
out before the record, So that'll just go out to streaming.
Speaker 2 (25:16):
No radio push on that one because radio don't like waltzes,
but we love this song anyway, and hope everybody else
does too.
Speaker 1 (25:24):
Looking forward to that one. To a little waltz, a
little country music go hand in hand to as well
too again Cold Beer and Country Music from Zach Top
April fifth, the full length album to look for use
Me for a single release in March at some point there.
Of course, we'll keep you posting on when that is
here on the backstage pass. All right, let's have a
little fun the Big Game. I can't say the other
words coming up here in a couple of weeks February eleventh,
Las Vegas and being I guess if a sports fan
(25:47):
or do you pay attention to the NFL and with
the four teams left, who is your pick to represent
the Big Game in Vegas here in a couple of weeks.
Speaker 4 (25:54):
Yeah, I'm a big old NFL fan. I want, I
really want to see Detroit go and do it. I'm
I'm a fan of Jared Goff, glad he's got kind
of a little second start on his career up there
in Detroit.
Speaker 2 (26:06):
And they just got a fun young team, and gosh,
they're fun to watch.
Speaker 4 (26:10):
They put up a lot of points and and makes
for some fun football for sure. I'd like to see
them upset the forty nine ers a little bit. And
then I think I'd like to see old Lamar.
Speaker 2 (26:22):
Get up there.
Speaker 4 (26:22):
I'm I'm a little bit tired of the Kardashians. I
hope I don't. I mean the Chiefs. Sorry, you know,
I think they wore out there.
Speaker 2 (26:31):
Welcome.
Speaker 4 (26:32):
I'm ready to see somebody knock them off. So I'm
gonna pick Ravens and Ravens and lines in the big game.
Speaker 3 (26:37):
I like that.
Speaker 1 (26:37):
We got tired of the Patriots dynasty for a lot
of years, and now I'm kind of the even though
born in bredon Texas here too.
Speaker 3 (26:43):
I love Patrick Mahomes. He kind of just don't know
just I don't know.
Speaker 2 (26:47):
I mean, and I's he's funny's the hell to watch man.
Speaker 4 (26:50):
They played great football too, but you know, we don't
want to see him to win too much. They then
they just get a little sour to us.
Speaker 1 (26:58):
Of course, it's always cool to see that. Of course,
the NFL Draft coming up in April two. Your team? Now,
who is your team? If you had to root for
one team? Is it the Titans or is it somebody else?
Speaker 4 (27:07):
Yeah, I'm afraid it is the Titans here for a
little bit.
Speaker 3 (27:13):
Well, hey makes the changes.
Speaker 4 (27:15):
Sad they let Vrabel go and we'll see what the
next year holds. But I ain't predicting no Super Bowl
appearance next year either.
Speaker 2 (27:24):
Figure out.
Speaker 3 (27:24):
Hey, I'm with you now.
Speaker 1 (27:25):
Being a former football coach and a guy who who
really understands the game build around Will Levis with some
skilled players, and in fact.
Speaker 2 (27:32):
I'm a fan of Will. I think he's exciting.
Speaker 4 (27:34):
I think he's got some you know, got something about
him that we can build around.
Speaker 2 (27:38):
I'm all for it.
Speaker 1 (27:39):
Looking forward to that too. And I know coming up
here after the Super Bowl Baseball season Major League Baseball,
I'm gonna have Robert Flores from MLB Network coming out
here on the show with me and of course former
ESPN Anchory host MLB Central every morning on MLB Network.
And I'm an Astros fan being from Texas. Cannot wait
to see what we do coming up this year. Just
missed that World Series again last year by that one game,
(27:59):
but can grats to Texas. Who's your team in Major
League Baseball?
Speaker 2 (28:03):
I that have to be the Mariners for me, the
hometown boy.
Speaker 3 (28:09):
A save division brother.
Speaker 1 (28:10):
I'll tell you this, Seattle's got a good young ball club,
and uh watch out because this could be a sneaky
wild card team and course a team that gives fits
to the Rangers and Astros in that American League West.
Speaker 2 (28:22):
Yeah, we try as much as we can.
Speaker 3 (28:25):
I love it.
Speaker 1 (28:26):
Hey, when you guys are on the road and y'all
get to have that camaraderie outside of just playing a
show and you guys get to go eat. What are
some of the favorite spots? Is it like fast foods?
Sit down place?
Speaker 3 (28:36):
What do y'all like?
Speaker 2 (28:37):
Oh? Well, we I don't know that changes.
Speaker 5 (28:41):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (28:41):
We we always usually, you know, we'll kind of spread
out and do whatever for lunch and uh, but we'll
always usually do dinner together.
Speaker 2 (28:49):
We try a little bit of everything.
Speaker 4 (28:50):
Everybody's pretty there's no real picky eaters on here on
the crew. We sure everybody's got to open mind and
enjoy some good food.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
So yeah, we'll go find we'll go find something.
Speaker 4 (29:00):
Usually, try to do something local that's you know, try
and enjoy where you're at. We get to see a
lot of cool places and play a lot of fun cities,
so try to enjoy some food that's specific and kind
of special to the area. I guess keep from eating
too much. Wendy's. We do that playing it stops along
the way. So when we get a chance to eat
in a good town with some good food, we'll try
and find something special.
Speaker 3 (29:20):
I love that. Man.
Speaker 1 (29:21):
Hey, what was the first song every time? I guess
the first time you ever stepped behind a microphone? What
did you would you end up playing what'd you up singing?
Speaker 2 (29:28):
Well?
Speaker 4 (29:28):
I know I sang Emery La by Morning, like I
told you that was That was the first I want
to learn to play. I played my first show, uh
when I'm seven years old. We opened up for I
had a little family band, little brother and two older
sisters that we we had a little family bluegrass band
growing up for about ten years. And that was the
first show we played when I was seven years old.
And I know we sang that we did. Hey, good looking,
(29:51):
Hank Williams. I'd be danged if I remember what we
opened the set with, though, but those are two that
I know we're in there.
Speaker 3 (30:00):
Hey, when it comes to pizza, what topping's going as
Zach top pizza?
Speaker 2 (30:04):
Ooh, I'm kind of I love a supreme thing.
Speaker 4 (30:07):
Throw me some pepperoni and sausage and peppers and onions
and olives and you know, a whole bunch of good
stuff on there.
Speaker 3 (30:14):
I like that, Hey, Top Maybe two? Three?
Speaker 1 (30:18):
Four favorite movies of all time? What do you enjoy
kind of kickback and watching?
Speaker 4 (30:24):
I tell you what I just watched recently, which is
a phenomenal, phenomenal movie is that Ray. It's kind of
film about Ray Charles.
Speaker 3 (30:32):
Yeah, yeah, Fox was.
Speaker 4 (30:34):
In it did a great job. I just got I
mean it's an old movie. It was like two thousand
and four or something. I'm not that old, but that one.
I love that movie. I love anything kind of about
old entertainers like that and whatnot. I think, you know,
Walked the Line was another great movie. So stuff like
that that's well done is really entertaining to me. And
(30:55):
then you know, I love Matthew McConaughey. He's probably be
about my favorite actor. So I'd go with Lincoln Lawyer
if I had to pick a McConaughey movie.
Speaker 2 (31:06):
And uh, let's see Forrest Gump another big one.
Speaker 4 (31:10):
I can always go back and rewatch that movie in
uh Shawshank.
Speaker 2 (31:14):
Redemption another big one.
Speaker 1 (31:15):
Oh god, yeah, I watched at least twice a day.
If you give me time a kickback and relax, I
love that. Ye, Redemption, that's right there. That's a great movie,
no doubt too. All right, we'll finish with this one too.
If zach Topp was not a musician, what other occupation
would he be doing?
Speaker 4 (31:32):
Uh, probably be a carpenter. That's what I That's what
I was doing before I started doing music.
Speaker 2 (31:37):
Full time.
Speaker 4 (31:37):
I was a contractor out in Colorado for a little
while and did a little bit of it here in
Tennessee as well. But that's I guess. I always enjoyed
that kind of work. I probably wouldn't keep framing houses.
I'd like to do more uh more kind of finished
work in more fine carpentry.
Speaker 2 (31:52):
But I love doing that stuff.
Speaker 1 (31:53):
Well, you're a hell of a musician, he came out, crying,
Chatta hooch you that song too. It's like the radio
and it's just out there across all those digital platforms.
Of course, a permanent figure there KKTC True Country ninety
nine point nine.
Speaker 3 (32:07):
We love playing the music too.
Speaker 1 (32:08):
And April fifth, Cold Beer and Country Music come out
across all the platforms with a great single coming out
in March two as well. Can't wait for that one too.
Zach came in, Keep riding the wave, brother, appreciate you
being with us, and hey, best of luck moving forward
in twenty twenty four. Hope to catch you on the
road and if we're there at CRS coming up here
in a few weeks, if you're in town, we'd love
to come say hi, no.
Speaker 2 (32:27):
Doubt, thank you man.
Speaker 4 (32:28):
That'd be great, Thank you so much for taking the
time brand a pleasure to talk to you.
Speaker 3 (32:32):
You got it.
Speaker 1 (32:32):
Zach top out there across all the digital platforms, giving
him a like on social media. Go download the music
thanks to our sponsors. Of course, another week coming up
on the Backstage Pass again powered by the Sports Guys
podcast dot com KKTC True Country ninety nine point nine
and of course out there always High Tight Country dot
and that thanks to our sponsors. Go download Zach's music
across all those digital platforms. We're back next week with
(32:53):
a host of shows pace You're in tune in the
Sports Guys podcast dot com. It's seven nights a week,
KKTC True Country ten Mountain Time, always be there and
via the LNOC Broadcast streaming app.
Speaker 3 (33:05):
We'll see you soon.
Speaker 1 (33:06):
Next week a bunch of shows here on the Backstage
Pass and stay tuned for a lot more. Take care
and God bless
And welcome inside the backstage pass. Always another great day
for another great show, presented by our friends over at
Banktail Whiskey check them out at bank tail dot com
get your order in there, and of course our friends
the Caden Gordonshow dot com, Today's Best Country Mix kay
d e n and also jewelry by Tommy. Valentine's Day
coming up, we'll talk more about that with some handmade,
handcrafted jewelry. With Valentine's Day, of course approaching February fourteenth,
(00:25):
Let's say you what back in early January here on
the backstage pass, we got a notice of a guy
taking country music by storm and putting the country back
in country music too. He had the most added song
at country radio back in January January eighth, the week
of that sounds like the radio, he sounds like real
country here, Zach top on the backstage pass, Zach, what's up, buddy?
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Hey? Nothing much man, Thank you for having me on.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
I'm glad to be here, sir, Glad to have you
here too as well.
Speaker 1 (00:51):
Live on the Sports Guys podcast dot com and always
KKTC True Country ninety nine point nine and our friends
at High Tightcountry dot net. Well Hey, it's been a
whirlwind start of twenty twenty four. Before we get into
this single, talk to me about just your upbringing. Of course,
So listening to all these great artists, to Merle Haggard
and Whalon Jennings, Willie Nelson and of course all these
(01:11):
great stars that paved the way for young artists today,
your upbringing in I just love the story, but please
share it with the listeners that connect you with music
from a young age.
Speaker 4 (01:20):
Yeah, absolutely, I was. I always like to say. I
think George Strait was kind of the first thing that
caught my eye. I think you looked pretty cool in
the cowboy hat and holding the guitar, and I thought
that was as long as I can remember, and so
I wanted to shoot. I think I got my parents
talked into buying me a little Walmart guitar, probably when
(01:40):
I was three, I think. And I didn't know what
to do with it, of course, but they finally put me.
They got me in lessons when I was about the
time I turned five, I believe, and I went in
there and lady asked me what I wanted to learn
to play, and the first thing at the top of
my mind, without hesitation, was Ambery little By morning.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
He said, well, that's a nice thought.
Speaker 4 (02:01):
Maybe, uh maybe let's start with something like Jesus loves
me and we can work our way up to that.
So anyway, we got there eventually. But that was George
Strait was kind of the first one. The other real
big one early early on was Marty Robbins h for me,
we uh, my dad had an old cassette tape u
in uh in his old Chevy pickup, and I think
that was the only cassette tape he ever had in there.
(02:25):
I guess he figured if they made a better one,
he'd switch it out. But that was that was the
one I remember being in there pretty much my whole
childhood kind of.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
So we'd listened to that a ton.
Speaker 4 (02:35):
Growing up on stuff like Big Iron and and uh
Strawberry Roan and you talk Carrol, all that good stuff.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
I'll passo. And so those were those were kind of
the early ones.
Speaker 4 (02:44):
And then, uh, you know, as I got started to
kind of taking my singing more seriously, I started listening
to Keith Whitley's probably my favorite singer ever.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
Uh So he's probably number one influence on the way
I sang.
Speaker 4 (02:56):
And and then guys like Haggard Jones and you know
Dan Seals. I remember being a big fan of Dan Seals.
My folks had a we still had a tape machine.
And I'm not that old, but they still had a
tape machine downstairs in the in the house, and they
had a big old briefcase full of was I mean,
(03:16):
it was like a tapeholder. And so there's a whole
bunch of bunch of old country tapes in there. And
I just put him in there, one by one in
that tape machine and sit down there with my guitar.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
And try to learn all them songs. So I fell
in love with it early and never let it go.
I guess yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
When you talk about that too, for some of those
great artists you mentioned there too, and I mean, nineties
country is so synonymous now, and we're starting to see
with your music with a guy like Randall King, and
of course White mccoven, I threw right in there too.
We'll talk more about him a little bit. All these
great great superstars now who are coming there on Josh Ward,
Aaron Watson, Texas country guys down here. For where I'm from,
it's an important piece I think of the puzzle to
(03:53):
really bring back this this kind of music, and the
more people I talk to around the industry and of
course in it now there's this thirst and this talk
about that too, for this style of music coming back
that's been missed for some time.
Speaker 4 (04:05):
Certainly, Yeah, I think you know it's it's a funny
country music is a funny, uh funny kind of beast.
It the pendulum swings on it from one way to
the other, and we always get a big swing one way,
and then we get another big swing, you know, back
towards you know what you and me would consider more
more country type of country music, and uh, you know
(04:26):
it's been that way forever. Shoot, when when Strake came
on the scene, he kind of came out of nowhere
after things like Juice Newton and T. G. Shephard and
Kenny Rodgers. You know, we're the big dog on radio
and stuff. So George Strake kind of sounded like a
breath of fresh air even back in the eighties. So
it feels like I felt like for for a few
(04:46):
years now, we're kind of building to this sort of
point where all right, it's really gonna swing back and
we're gonna put stuff that's you know, more immediately identifiable.
Speaker 2 (04:57):
As a country and uh.
Speaker 4 (04:59):
And I say that without I never want to knock
anything anybody else is doing, because there's a lot of
big old UH stars that's connecting with a lot of
people and a lot of people loving that music. But
I just think there's there's probably room for a little
variety on the radio, you know, if it's if there's
a fellaw like Morgan Wallen and Jelly Roll and stuff,
(05:20):
I think you can mix me in there and uh
and they're gonna enjoy me and and likewise, you know,
vice versa.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
So I think I think there's room for all.
Speaker 4 (05:29):
And I'm excited to see, you know, a little more
of that old school type of the type of country
music that that made me fall in love with the
with the format, I guess see that make a bit
of a comeback, and it's fun to see, you know,
like those guys you mentioned, and then there's guys like
Jake Worthington and Drake Milligan and fellas like that that's
doing great things as well and making stone cold country music.
Speaker 1 (05:52):
Yeah, I think there's a little bit of flavor for
everybody out there too, And everybody can you know, take
it for what it's worth. Everybody in the industry that
has something to contribute and kind of give back to
the flavor. Like you said, that Beast is kind of
that pendulum. It's swinging back and forth. And of course
you see it on the award shows now because I
think Jellygrill has his own little niche kind of carved,
and you look at some of those artists that you
mentioned too. It's a great thing because people can kind
(06:13):
of flock to that, you know, nineties country sound, neo
traditional sound like you have, and then if they want
a little something newer, a little bit more of the movement,
you know, bro country, or if it's a little bit
of rock country. There's a little bit of some flavor
out there. Like I spook it for everybody. I think
that's a great thing for the industry. Well, I tell
you what I want to ask you. When you got
the news about the debut single Sounds like the radio
(06:35):
January eighth, the number one most added song to country radio,
and you got that phone call and of course everything
went out press wise. First of all, congratulations on that too,
because the song is a hit. You worked with some
amazing people on this upcoming album coming up here, Carson Chamberlain,
who's worked with Alan Jackson as a producer. You co
wrote at least every song on this record. Talk about
this record coming out April fifth, cold Beer in country
(06:57):
music and the single first of all number one, most
that at a country radio.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Yeah for sure.
Speaker 4 (07:02):
Yeah, that sounds like the radio had come out with
a big old bang.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
I think it was. I think a lot of us.
Speaker 4 (07:08):
Me and and my management and the label and everything,
uh breed a little bit of a sigh of relief.
We felt like we were gonna do something good with it.
But obviously it sticks out like a sore thumb compared
to anything else that's going on to radio right now.
And uh so, I think we all we were very
excited and breed the big old sireh relief that hey,
we weren't making it up. We're not crazy. Other Other
(07:29):
people are going to like this too. So that was
really fun to see that.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
And I was. I was floored by the response we
got from radio so far.
Speaker 4 (07:38):
And then uh yeah, as far as the far as
the record goes, Man, I'm so excited about these songs.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
It's some of them are we've been sitting on for years.
Help sounds like the radio.
Speaker 4 (07:48):
We wrote that I think three four years ago or something,
and we recorded the thing two years ago. I think
I think I got the first mix back on that
song in January of Yeah, it would have been January
of twenty two. So we sat on that song for
a long time and just felt like that was the
right one. Whenever we got to make the introduction to
(08:10):
country radio, that that was the first one we wanted
to lead with. And so we sat on that for
a while, waiting for the right time. And there's a
bunch of other songs like that that's you know there
we've been setting on for a minute. And then there's
some real fresh stuff too that we've just been writing
in the last few months. So kind of you get
a little a little look into some different phases of
(08:32):
my artist journey, I guess.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
And songwriting journey.
Speaker 4 (08:37):
So that'll be fun and honored to have worked with,
you know, some of the best songwriters in the world
on some of this stuff.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Paul over Street and Tim Nichols, Mark Nesler and.
Speaker 4 (08:49):
Michael White's on there, and obviously Carson and Wyatt mccoven
is on a handful and the.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
Things, so really excited about all that stuff.
Speaker 4 (08:58):
I think if folks have been liking what I've been
putting out so far, I think they're not going to
be disappointed with the rest of this record.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
So yeah, we're definitely picking up what you're putting down,
no doubt about that too. And you know, speaking of
Carson too, just a renowned producer and songwriter. Just on right,
I mentioned he worked with Billy Carrington, Alan Jackson too,
with a lot of the different things out there too.
To bring Carson in on a project like this, talk
about just what that means to you kind of as
a young artist, and then taking a lot of the
knowledge he has in the music business and incorporating that
(09:26):
into this record.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Yeah heck yeah.
Speaker 4 (09:29):
I mean it's me and Carson go back a little
ways now. I first got hooked up with him in
early in twenty nineteen. I guess man, he was the
first one that brought me to town. He's the reason
I'm here in a lot of ways, and he reached
out to me.
Speaker 2 (09:46):
I had a little video when Darryl Semetary passed away.
Speaker 4 (09:49):
I put up a video that kind of went a
little bit viral for me on Facebook, and he found
me off of that and sent me an email and
said he might want to work And it was funny
because I and recognize his name at first, and then
to come to find out if you do a little
Wikipedia search, there's.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
Some information on him.
Speaker 4 (10:08):
And I figured, hell, I out to email this guy back.
We all to work together. So we started, we started talking,
I guess on the phone. Yeah, in the spring of
twenty nineteen, and then that fall, I believe I started.
I started coming to town and he really treated me
like a son. He let me stay at his house.
I'd come out there for a week at a time
(10:29):
every month, and he kind of introduced me to co
writing and and showed me the ropes on a lot
of that and a lot of the music business stuff
in general. So he's He's a big reason I'm where
I'm at today for sure, and I wouldn't rather be
working with anybody else as far as you know, producer
and songwriter. I think we make a great team together.
(10:51):
And he's been really helpful, really good to me, and
I definitely owe a lot to him. And so I mean,
I don't think there's a better fit for me as
far as producer and a partner on this project, so
really excited to have him be a part of it.
Speaker 3 (11:06):
Yeah, one of the best out there.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
Carson Chamberlain too as well, and of course definitely we're
gonna come back talk a few more singles. Definitely what
made the record, including a song we played on KKTC
the other day There's the Sun, which is one of
the best ballads all time I've heard in country music
too as well of who Zach worked with on that
particular track too. But I definitely, hey, you know Valentine's
Day's coming up, Zach too, And I got to get
this in for my guy too as well, because if
you've got a sweetheart or you got a significant other,
(11:29):
it's around the corner looking for that perfect gift for
the spouse, friend, or family member. Jewelry by Tommy, Jewelry
by Tommy, Has you covered? A Burly System at yahoo
dot com today to order Burley System at yahoo dot
com today to order some of that handmade, handcrafted jewelry
just as good as a smooth country song written to
as well. Had Jewelry by Tommy out there too as well,
love him, Thank you for being a part of it.
We'll take a quick time out here on the Backstage Pass,
(11:50):
the word from Bank Tail Whiskey and our sponsors too.
More with Zach, top here, KKTC, True Country ninety nine
point nine and of course High Tide Country dot netton
always powered by the Sports Guy It's a podcast dot
com More with Zach Stay tuned.
Speaker 5 (12:04):
The Caiden Gordon Show is a two hour show playing
the best in country music, so check it out at
the Caidangordonshow dot com. Again, that is the Caden Goordon
Show dot Com.
Speaker 6 (12:18):
The Bangte por is comprised of a sweet core mash bass.
The front has a subtle sweetness and not too sharp.
It has notes of a medium char white oak for
a smoky flavor in the middle, and the tail has
a super smooth and warm finish.
Speaker 1 (12:34):
Go behind the scenes with some of the biggest artists
in music today with the Backstage Past, powered VI the
Sports Guys Podcast dot com. Joined Brandon Murrill and his
co host Kirsty Krauss as they talk to rising stars
and legends about their music careers, listen to their latest tracks,
and learn fun facts about the men and women behind
the music you love and be sure to tune into
(12:55):
the Backstage Past Monday through Friday from three thirty to
six thirty, powered by the Sports Guys podcast dot com.
Speaker 3 (13:01):
And welcome into the.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
Backstage, past and back. Here was Zachtop on the backstage
pass again powered by the Sports Guys podcast dot com
and of course out there to KKTC True Country ninety
nine point nine, always ten Mountain Times, seven nights a
week on our syndicated stations there Taus, New Mexico and Pueblo,
Colorado and always in Oklahoma City Hot Time Country dot Net.
We play a lot of Zachtop music. I hope you
(13:24):
guys are joined listening to the show and to Zach's
music out there here back presented by bank Tail Whiskey
and our friends the Cada and Gordon Show dot com,
Today's Best Country Mix and our friends at Jewelry by
Tommy too as well. There's one I got to check
out too, which was awesome. Even last year you guys
put out uh Man. I loved George Jones being from Beaumont,
Texas down here to his hometown. Just to Jones and
(13:45):
and the picture of that jukebox. Maybe go back to
what I was, I say, early a member forties. Now
went back to the kid we used to go to
this diner in town. We put the Old Quarter in
the jukebox and man, we'd play some good old hits
from Clay Walker and Tracy Bird, march Esta at George Jones.
Speaker 3 (13:59):
How did this one come about? Because man, what a tune?
Speaker 2 (14:01):
Well, thank you very much. That was a fun one. Uh.
That was That was another one with Wyatt. That was
his idea too.
Speaker 4 (14:08):
I came in with with that that title thought in
uh and uh that groove kind of on it. And
I want to say he had he had a few
lines on the course already before he brought it in
uh with with me and Carson, And it was, if
I remember correctly, I think that song fell out pretty quick.
It's you know, there's it ain't It ain't all that
deep of a song. It's a it's a good time,
(14:31):
raise your beer up in the air type of song
for sure.
Speaker 2 (14:34):
And you can definitely definitely stomp your foot to it. It was.
Speaker 4 (14:37):
It was a really fun track to cut and uh
and I think it turned out like a million bucks
And it's just you know, a feel good, fun song,
uh that I love. And and he had that that
idea too to do that that kind of yodel thing
on the front of it that holds him and which
I think, you know, kind of sets it apart and
(14:57):
gives it, gives it up its own thing a little bit.
Speaker 2 (14:59):
So that was That was a fun one and great
idea for Wyatt. He always comes in with something good
and that one was no exception.
Speaker 1 (15:06):
Now he's done a lot of number ones for Josh
Ward here in Texas for many years too, and just
what a guy too as well. If I talk to
you to day too. Definitely getting back on the show
here a few weeks. We're gonna talk about this record,
about his songwriting and a whole lot more. And then
you have another one last year. I think it was
May when it came out, but I got to listen
to it for the first time. Uh, we're all picky,
look man on the women when it comes down to it.
The kind of woman I like and just what a
(15:27):
two step in dance hall song. Get up on that
hardwood and just cut loose.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
Right, Yes, sir, Yeah, I love it that.
Speaker 4 (15:34):
That one's another fun one, and I have to disclaimer,
I still ain't found that kind of woman yet. The
that be the first to admit she's wrong, You know
that kind I don't think that exists. We got a
little uh, we got a little out of hand there
writing that one and made some stuff up, but no,
I'm just messing around. It's fun little song and uh
(15:54):
and folks seem to like it for sure.
Speaker 1 (15:56):
And then the other one too. I wanted to get
into a few more than that made the album too,
But I love this one. And we all look at
getting lost on a beach somewhere and we get to
bombarded with daily life when it comes down to it,
and just say, it was busy doing nothing. And boy,
your vocals on that one too. And I love the
fact is the lyrics and this one really came out,
I'm sure to your pleasure in the studio, y'all made
this and really come to life.
Speaker 4 (16:17):
Thank you, man. I appreciate that. Yeah, it was fun
when we wrote that with Martinsler and uh, yeah, that one.
Speaker 2 (16:25):
I guess. I'm a huge, huge Jimmy.
Speaker 4 (16:27):
Buffett fan, as I know a lot of folks are,
and listen to a ton of his music growing up
and always loved that, you know, that kind of little
niche of country music, that kind of beachy island vibe stuff.
Speaker 2 (16:40):
Billy Cringon had a bunch of that.
Speaker 4 (16:41):
Obviously, Kenny Chesney kind of built his whole thing on
that after the first couple of records and and anyway,
so that was kind of a I knew I wanted
to have that type of you know, that's just the
perfect song to crank up with with the cold beer
on the boat in the summer and or like you said,
on the beach or whatever.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
And I love that that type of feel, and it just.
Speaker 4 (17:02):
Felt like something that I didn't want to leave missing
from from my first project. So really excited about that
song and another one that we hope folks keep enjoying
No Doubt too.
Speaker 1 (17:14):
And then what we played the other day on the
radio got a ton of people saying, who.
Speaker 3 (17:18):
Is that guy? Who is that guy?
Speaker 1 (17:18):
Who's the guy He's got a little bit of George Strait,
he's got a little bit of this, a little bit
of that. I said, that is zach Top on KKTC
No Doubt. And this one comes out and made the
record too.
Speaker 3 (17:27):
Love it, and man.
Speaker 1 (17:28):
The acoustic version is just as good as the recorded
version from the studio. But man, what beautiful lyrics. And
you guys had a lot of fun with this tune.
You co wrote this. Carson Chamberlain and of course the
great White mccoven. There's the sun has so much great
positive energy into it as well. And this is something
you sing to your significant other. But man, the lyrics
(17:49):
Senate hit right to the heart.
Speaker 3 (17:51):
They really do.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
Thanks man, Yeah, that was there. You go.
Speaker 4 (17:55):
It's another Whyet mccobbined idea. He comes with a lot
of good ones. Yeah, but it's funny, man. That was
the That was the first song I ever wrote on Zoom.
They we were we were supposed to be writing a
lot on Zoom, and I wasn't writing much on Zoom.
But there was a big bad snowstorm in uh in Nashville,
I guess that was spring of twenty twenty one, and
(18:21):
and I couldn't make it to town and anyway, so
so I'm like, all right, I'm gonna have to break
down and learn what the internet is and what Zoom
is and how to work in computer, I guess. And
so anyways, we got that thing wrote, and uh, you know,
Zoom is not a very fun thing to write songs on.
I did not enjoy it. It's it's weird. You can't
really play off each other. It's hard to you know,
(18:42):
it's always cutting out, it's always lagging, you can't really
play with each other and anyway. But it's when when
we got done with that and I let a little
work tape down and send it to him, I think
we all kind of felt like there was something specially
in that song and and it was definitely, uh at
the top of the when we went into to custom tracks,
that that was going to be one at the top
(19:05):
of the list for sure.
Speaker 1 (19:07):
You know, I can't wait to catch you the live
show one day. And man, you've got a lot going
on here for twenty twenty four with the CLA Award
winners Brothers Osbourne. I've had Stay Wilson on this show
just a couple of years back before she really took
off too as well. I mean those respective tours coming
up to from those big name artists. Talk about what
it's going to be like to hit the road with
names such as that, who are now you know, busting
(19:29):
through and becoming the next superstars of country music.
Speaker 4 (19:32):
Yeah, I'm really excited about about both them things. I've
been a fan of Brothers Osborne for a long time.
They I thought their music was really cool when it
came out, just as a big old breath of fresh air,
I thought from some of the other stuff that had
been going on in country music. I'm a big fan
of those guys, and they've been really good to me
when I've got to meet him a couple of times,
(19:52):
and so very excited to go out and hopefully their
fans can fall in love with us as well. I
think our music compliments each other nicely, you know, both
a bunch of guitar heavy stuff, and so I think
their fans will love us as well. And very thankful
that they had us out. And of course Laney, she's
hotter in hell fire and can't be stopped at this point.
(20:14):
So very excited to be attached to that tour as well,
and really thankful she picked us out to go out
with her. It should be a really fun time. And
I have a ton of respect for what she's doing.
As far as you know, she's one of the top
dogs in country music right now, and she's one of
my favorites out there.
Speaker 1 (20:31):
Awesome lady too, got her fingerprint on everything right now
in country music too. We'll come back talk about that.
I got quit a couple of questions for Zach. We'll
get into rapid fire coming up here about five minutes
left your KKTC True Country ninety nine point nine and
of course High Tide Country dot net and powered by
the Sports Guys podcast dot com. But hey, guys, if
you like country music and you know Valentine's Day's coming up,
(20:51):
you can sing there's the Sun to your significant other
two as well and Valenti's Day around the corner. If
you're looking for that perfect gift or your spouse, friend,
or family member, Jewelry by Tommy has your covered. Can
email Burtley System at yahoo dot com today to order
more with Zach top Here on the show, quick break,
a word from bank Tail Whiskey, get that drink in,
get her Valentine's Day gift, and we'll come back and
talk about bad luck here on the backstage past.
Speaker 3 (21:14):
Stay tuned Mordico.
Speaker 5 (21:16):
The Caden Gordon Show Today's Best Country.
Speaker 7 (21:18):
Mix is a two hour show playing independent and mainstream
country music you know and love. Be sure to check
it out at the Kangordonshow dot com for more information
on the show.
Speaker 6 (21:31):
The banktael Por is comprised of a sweet corn mash bass.
The front has a subtle sweetness and not too sharp
as notes of a medium char white oak for a
smoky flavor in the middle, and the tail has a
super smooth and warm finish.
Speaker 1 (21:47):
Go behind the scenes with some of the biggest artists
in music today with the Backstage Past, powered vi the
Sports Guys Podcast dot Com joined Brandon Morrill and his
co host Kirsty Krauss as they talk to rising stars
and legends about their music careers, listen to their latest tracks,
and learn fun facts about the men and women behind
the music you love. And be sure to tune into
(22:08):
the Backstage Past Monday through Friday from three thirty to
six thirty, powered by the Sports Guys Podcast dot Com
and Welcome into the Backstage Past and Back. Here was
Zach Top on the Backstage Past final segment. Here too
KKTC True Country ninety nine point nine and always via
the LMNOC streaming app and also at High Tidecountry dot
Net empowered by the Sports Guys Podcast dot Com. Of course,
(22:31):
the upcoming album two is Cold Beer and Country Music,
going to be out April fifth across all those streaming platforms,
and the debut single out there Sounds like the Radio.
You can catch it out. Their most added song to
country radio. Back on January the eighth, we played it
on KKTC and the fans extremely love it out there.
Please to have Zach here on the show. So I
got to ask you about another one off this record too,
(22:51):
And this is another one we talk about the guys,
the boys, the writers bad Luck, and this is I
love these guitar riffs in this one too as well.
So come in your band and the boys for playing
some killer guitar riffs as your vocals really come to
life in that one.
Speaker 2 (23:06):
Heck, yeah, I appreciate that, man. That's yeah.
Speaker 4 (23:08):
Another one we wrote with Mark Nesler, and that's a funny,
uh funny little tune. It it uh pardon me it.
I kind of thought that that was gonna end up
being sort of a you know, my little sneaky favorite
on the record and then and then not necessarily one
of the biggest hits off of it, I suppose, but uh, folks,
(23:29):
folks definitely proved me wrong. Folks have been loving this
song and it's it's by far my most stream song,
and it keeps blowing everything else out of the water.
So I love it, you know, I think it's just
it's a different feeling song that minor thing is cool
on it and and it's got a great groove. Love
the track on it, and love the song. It's fun
and and I think a lot of people can.
Speaker 2 (23:50):
Probably relate to it.
Speaker 4 (23:51):
I know they've I've got a lot of messages and
a lot of fans saying they can relate. So glad,
glad we were able to write something that that makes
people feel something and uh, you know, and and still
sort of a lighthearted song at the end of the
day too.
Speaker 2 (24:05):
It's it's one of my favorites for sure.
Speaker 1 (24:07):
There's a lot of cool titles in this record to mention,
the cold Beer in country music being the second track
off of here too, and of course cowboys like me do.
Speaker 3 (24:15):
This is just awesome. I can't wait lonely for long.
Speaker 1 (24:17):
Uh? Is there another plan maybe kind of attention grab
or single release off this record before the tire record
comes out, or we have to wait to the entire
record to hear some more.
Speaker 2 (24:26):
No, I believe we've got one more single coming in
in March.
Speaker 4 (24:29):
Actually, okay, it's a song called use Me, kind of
everybody's favorite lately. We didn't write it all that long ago,
but it's it's been one of my one of my
recent favorites for sure. It's a good old cheating waltz,
which Keith said it best sad songs, and waltzes ain't
selling this year, but we're going to try and prove
(24:52):
them wrong on that one, and uh, we'll see if
I think, you know, folks have been responding to it
real well. We've thrown it in the set for the
last few shows and and people seem to like it
out on the road, and every time I get to
play it gets a really good response. So we're excited
about this woman and everybody at the labels all fired
up about it and they love it. So they said
that had to be the this single that we put
(25:14):
out before the record, So that'll just go out to streaming.
Speaker 2 (25:16):
No radio push on that one because radio don't like waltzes,
but we love this song anyway, and hope everybody else
does too.
Speaker 1 (25:24):
Looking forward to that one. To a little waltz, a
little country music go hand in hand to as well
too again Cold Beer and Country Music from Zach Top
April fifth, the full length album to look for use
Me for a single release in March at some point there.
Of course, we'll keep you posting on when that is
here on the backstage pass. All right, let's have a
little fun the Big Game. I can't say the other
words coming up here in a couple of weeks February eleventh,
Las Vegas and being I guess if a sports fan
(25:47):
or do you pay attention to the NFL and with
the four teams left, who is your pick to represent
the Big Game in Vegas here in a couple of weeks.
Speaker 4 (25:54):
Yeah, I'm a big old NFL fan. I want, I
really want to see Detroit go and do it. I'm
I'm a fan of Jared Goff, glad he's got kind
of a little second start on his career up there
in Detroit.
Speaker 2 (26:06):
And they just got a fun young team, and gosh,
they're fun to watch.
Speaker 4 (26:10):
They put up a lot of points and and makes
for some fun football for sure. I'd like to see
them upset the forty nine ers a little bit. And
then I think I'd like to see old Lamar.
Speaker 2 (26:22):
Get up there.
Speaker 4 (26:22):
I'm I'm a little bit tired of the Kardashians. I
hope I don't. I mean the Chiefs. Sorry, you know,
I think they wore out there.
Speaker 2 (26:31):
Welcome.
Speaker 4 (26:32):
I'm ready to see somebody knock them off. So I'm
gonna pick Ravens and Ravens and lines in the big game.
Speaker 3 (26:37):
I like that.
Speaker 1 (26:37):
We got tired of the Patriots dynasty for a lot
of years, and now I'm kind of the even though
born in bredon Texas here too.
Speaker 3 (26:43):
I love Patrick Mahomes. He kind of just don't know
just I don't know.
Speaker 2 (26:47):
I mean, and I's he's funny's the hell to watch man.
Speaker 4 (26:50):
They played great football too, but you know, we don't
want to see him to win too much. They then
they just get a little sour to us.
Speaker 1 (26:58):
Of course, it's always cool to see that. Of course,
the NFL Draft coming up in April two. Your team? Now,
who is your team? If you had to root for
one team? Is it the Titans or is it somebody else?
Speaker 4 (27:07):
Yeah, I'm afraid it is the Titans here for a
little bit.
Speaker 3 (27:13):
Well, hey makes the changes.
Speaker 4 (27:15):
Sad they let Vrabel go and we'll see what the
next year holds. But I ain't predicting no Super Bowl
appearance next year either.
Speaker 2 (27:24):
Figure out.
Speaker 3 (27:24):
Hey, I'm with you now.
Speaker 1 (27:25):
Being a former football coach and a guy who who
really understands the game build around Will Levis with some
skilled players, and in fact.
Speaker 2 (27:32):
I'm a fan of Will. I think he's exciting.
Speaker 4 (27:34):
I think he's got some you know, got something about
him that we can build around.
Speaker 2 (27:38):
I'm all for it.
Speaker 1 (27:39):
Looking forward to that too. And I know coming up
here after the Super Bowl Baseball season Major League Baseball,
I'm gonna have Robert Flores from MLB Network coming out
here on the show with me and of course former
ESPN Anchory host MLB Central every morning on MLB Network.
And I'm an Astros fan being from Texas. Cannot wait
to see what we do coming up this year. Just
missed that World Series again last year by that one game,
(27:59):
but can grats to Texas. Who's your team in Major
League Baseball?
Speaker 2 (28:03):
I that have to be the Mariners for me, the
hometown boy.
Speaker 3 (28:09):
A save division brother.
Speaker 1 (28:10):
I'll tell you this, Seattle's got a good young ball club,
and uh watch out because this could be a sneaky
wild card team and course a team that gives fits
to the Rangers and Astros in that American League West.
Speaker 2 (28:22):
Yeah, we try as much as we can.
Speaker 3 (28:25):
I love it.
Speaker 1 (28:26):
Hey, when you guys are on the road and y'all
get to have that camaraderie outside of just playing a
show and you guys get to go eat. What are
some of the favorite spots? Is it like fast foods?
Sit down place?
Speaker 3 (28:36):
What do y'all like?
Speaker 2 (28:37):
Oh? Well, we I don't know that changes.
Speaker 5 (28:41):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (28:41):
We we always usually, you know, we'll kind of spread
out and do whatever for lunch and uh, but we'll
always usually do dinner together.
Speaker 2 (28:49):
We try a little bit of everything.
Speaker 4 (28:50):
Everybody's pretty there's no real picky eaters on here on
the crew. We sure everybody's got to open mind and
enjoy some good food.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
So yeah, we'll go find we'll go find something.
Speaker 4 (29:00):
Usually, try to do something local that's you know, try
and enjoy where you're at. We get to see a
lot of cool places and play a lot of fun cities,
so try to enjoy some food that's specific and kind
of special to the area. I guess keep from eating
too much. Wendy's. We do that playing it stops along
the way. So when we get a chance to eat
in a good town with some good food, we'll try
and find something special.
Speaker 3 (29:20):
I love that. Man.
Speaker 1 (29:21):
Hey, what was the first song every time? I guess
the first time you ever stepped behind a microphone? What
did you would you end up playing what'd you up singing?
Speaker 2 (29:28):
Well?
Speaker 4 (29:28):
I know I sang Emery La by Morning, like I
told you that was That was the first I want
to learn to play. I played my first show, uh
when I'm seven years old. We opened up for I
had a little family band, little brother and two older
sisters that we we had a little family bluegrass band
growing up for about ten years. And that was the
first show we played when I was seven years old.
And I know we sang that we did. Hey, good looking,
(29:51):
Hank Williams. I'd be danged if I remember what we
opened the set with, though, but those are two that
I know we're in there.
Speaker 3 (30:00):
Hey, when it comes to pizza, what topping's going as
Zach top pizza?
Speaker 2 (30:04):
Ooh, I'm kind of I love a supreme thing.
Speaker 4 (30:07):
Throw me some pepperoni and sausage and peppers and onions
and olives and you know, a whole bunch of good
stuff on there.
Speaker 3 (30:14):
I like that, Hey, Top Maybe two? Three?
Speaker 1 (30:18):
Four favorite movies of all time? What do you enjoy
kind of kickback and watching?
Speaker 4 (30:24):
I tell you what I just watched recently, which is
a phenomenal, phenomenal movie is that Ray. It's kind of
film about Ray Charles.
Speaker 3 (30:32):
Yeah, yeah, Fox was.
Speaker 4 (30:34):
In it did a great job. I just got I
mean it's an old movie. It was like two thousand
and four or something. I'm not that old, but that one.
I love that movie. I love anything kind of about
old entertainers like that and whatnot. I think, you know,
Walked the Line was another great movie. So stuff like
that that's well done is really entertaining to me. And
(30:55):
then you know, I love Matthew McConaughey. He's probably be
about my favorite actor. So I'd go with Lincoln Lawyer
if I had to pick a McConaughey movie.
Speaker 2 (31:06):
And uh, let's see Forrest Gump another big one.
Speaker 4 (31:10):
I can always go back and rewatch that movie in
uh Shawshank.
Speaker 2 (31:14):
Redemption another big one.
Speaker 1 (31:15):
Oh god, yeah, I watched at least twice a day.
If you give me time a kickback and relax, I
love that. Ye, Redemption, that's right there. That's a great movie,
no doubt too. All right, we'll finish with this one too.
If zach Topp was not a musician, what other occupation
would he be doing?
Speaker 4 (31:32):
Uh, probably be a carpenter. That's what I That's what
I was doing before I started doing music.
Speaker 2 (31:37):
Full time.
Speaker 4 (31:37):
I was a contractor out in Colorado for a little
while and did a little bit of it here in
Tennessee as well. But that's I guess. I always enjoyed
that kind of work. I probably wouldn't keep framing houses.
I'd like to do more uh more kind of finished
work in more fine carpentry.
Speaker 2 (31:52):
But I love doing that stuff.
Speaker 1 (31:53):
Well, you're a hell of a musician, he came out, crying,
Chatta hooch you that song too. It's like the radio
and it's just out there across all those digital platforms.
Of course, a permanent figure there KKTC True Country ninety
nine point nine.
Speaker 3 (32:07):
We love playing the music too.
Speaker 1 (32:08):
And April fifth, Cold Beer and Country Music come out
across all the platforms with a great single coming out
in March two as well. Can't wait for that one too.
Zach came in, Keep riding the wave, brother, appreciate you
being with us, and hey, best of luck moving forward
in twenty twenty four. Hope to catch you on the
road and if we're there at CRS coming up here
in a few weeks, if you're in town, we'd love
to come say hi, no.
Speaker 2 (32:27):
Doubt, thank you man.
Speaker 4 (32:28):
That'd be great, Thank you so much for taking the
time brand a pleasure to talk to you.
Speaker 3 (32:32):
You got it.
Speaker 1 (32:32):
Zach top out there across all the digital platforms, giving
him a like on social media. Go download the music
thanks to our sponsors. Of course, another week coming up
on the Backstage Pass again powered by the Sports Guys
podcast dot com KKTC True Country ninety nine point nine
and of course out there always High Tight Country dot
and that thanks to our sponsors. Go download Zach's music
across all those digital platforms. We're back next week with
(32:53):
a host of shows pace You're in tune in the
Sports Guys podcast dot com. It's seven nights a week,
KKTC True Country ten Mountain Time, always be there and
via the LNOC Broadcast streaming app.
Speaker 3 (33:05):
We'll see you soon.
Speaker 1 (33:06):
Next week a bunch of shows here on the Backstage
Pass and stay tuned for a lot more. Take care
and God bless
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