By the time new Zach Top released his debut country album, Cold Beer & Country Musicin April, the 27-year-old singer-songwriter was already seeing an outpouring of support from fans and fellow artists. With his unquestionable dedication to traditional country sounds on songs like “Bad Luck” and “There's The Sun,” combined with his unmistakable country edge, the Sunnyside, Wash., singer-songwriter has drawn comparisons to the likes of 90s country artists such as Alan Jackson, Doug Stone and one of his musical heroes, Keith Whitley.
Top, who is signed to Leo33 and managed and published by Major Bob Music, has been on tour with reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson since May. He was a guest on Dierks Bentley's headlining show in early September at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena and most recently teamed up with bluegrass luminary Billy Strings to release a trio of collaborations for Apple Music.
As Top's “Sounds Like the Radio” continues to grow Bulletin boardthe Country Airplay chart, reaching a new No. 16 high on the chart dated November 9, another track from Cold Beer & Country Music has also developed into a chart hit: 'I Never Lie'. After the slow grooving, sarcastic The song became his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 in September (it has since peaked at No. 68), his team pushed “I Never Lie” to country radio. It debuted on Country Airplay in late October, giving two top songs simultaneously on the chart — a feat usually reserved for headliners in the arena and stadium genre.
He's up for New Artist of the Year at the CMA Awards later this month, and his rising career has led to additional dates in 2025 Cold Beer & Country Music tour, which kicks off January 16th in Nebraska, with Jake Worthington and Cole Goodwin.
Bulletin board caught up with Top to discuss 'I Never Lie' reaching new heights on the charts, his thoughts on his upcoming CMA Award nomination for New Artist of the Year and who he thinks will win the honor of the entertainer of the year.
“I Never Lie” was included on your debut studio album, Cold Beer & Country Music. How did the song come together?
I wrote it with Carson Chamberlain and Tim Nichols. I have one of my cleverest rhymes in there, rhyming “Angel” and “April” in the first verse [“You still look like an angel/I heard you’re doin’ fine, got promoted back in April”]. We cut it pretty old with the band, and I sang and followed the vocals as they played. They never heard the song until the day we recorded it. I'll have an audio recording on my phone, and they'll listen to it once or twice, and that's it. It's two or three charges and we play it how we feel. We might overdub a thing or two or add some fills, but it's all played live, there's no word on that. Carson produced it and [engineer] Matt [Rovey] mixed it up.
What has been your reaction to connecting with fans on this level?
It might be the most country song on the record. It comes out and there's nothing but steel guitar – you haven't heard a song like that, sonically, in a long time. I think people have had an appetite for my kind of country for a while, and we're getting a dose of that. Songs like “Sounds Like the Radio” and “Cold Beer & Country Music”, you'd expect them to be hits because they're up-tempo. This song goes against what's out there right now.
When did you first realize the song was a hit?
We were playing it live, so people already knew about it. Around April 5th, we had our album out, and over the last four months, it's taken off. Our fans know every word to every song on the album — they're not just waiting to hear a song. It gives me chills every night when we play that first riff [of “I Never Lie”]. They don't need to hear words, they know it from the first note.
“I Never Lie” debuted on Country Airplay in late October, giving you two current hits on Bulletin board chart, including the top 20 hit “Sounds Like The Radio”. How is that?
I'm excited, because you don't see that a lot with an artist as young as me. I'm proud that I've been successful so far and I'm not just a miracle.
You've also gained traction on TikTok with “I Never Lie.” What is your approach to social media?
I don't go on social media much. There's a girl named Cheyenne in my band who has TikTok and she'll tell me about videos that have “I Never Lie” or other songs in them. I was never really into social media — it was just a tool to get music out there. At the beginning of this year, I turned it all upside down [to my team]. I don't have the apps on my phone and I don't think I have the login details. It can suck you in, scrolling, and I think it's probably healthy for me not to.
You're nominated for New Artist of the Year at the CMA Awards on November 20. What do you remember when you found out about your nomination?
It's funny because I got a few messages that said, “Congratulations,” and I said, “It's not my birthday. What's going on?' They sent me screenshots and filled me in. There are many great artists on this list and I am proud to be in this group.
Who do you think will win artist of the year at the CMA Awards?
I think Lainey [Wilson] would be a good choice. She puts on one hell of a show and is a great entertainer. And [Chris] Stapleton, I saw his show at [Nashville’s] Nissan Stadium, and I hadn't seen his show before and it's pretty old with the band up there. He sings and captivates the world with his voice and music, so he gets my vote too.
A version of this story appears in the October 26, 2024 issue Bulletin board.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/country/zach-top-i-never-lie-hot-100-cma-awards-interview-1235817819/
