From Farm to Fame: Zach Top's Journey to Country Music Stardom

Zach Top, a rising star in the country music scene, has traded in his rural roots for the bright lights of the industry. In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, the new artist of the year nominee at the 2024 CMAs opens up about his transition from life on the farm to life on the road, and how his small-town upbringing has shaped his music and perspective.

Embracing the Pace of a Musical Lifestyle

Adapting to a Whirlwind of Change

Zach Top fondly remembers his childhood on a farm in Sunnyside, Washington, where the pace of life was slower and more predictable. "Life's way too fast, too," the "Cold Beer & Country Music" singer laments. "It seemed like it was pretty slow moving. I guess it always is when you're a kid a little bit." Now, as he pursues his country music career, Top finds himself constantly on the move, waking up in a different town each morning. "Now, I never wake up in the same town," he says. "I wake up somewhere else. I've got to figure out where I am the next morning. So, there's a lot of changes for sure, and I'm grateful for a lot of them. There's a lot of them that I'd rather live without, you know, kind of makes me miss the way I grew up, I guess."

Cherishing the Simplicity of Farm Life

Growing up on the family farm was more of a "hobby" than a primary source of income, but it instilled in Top a deep appreciation for hard work and a connection to the land. "We didn't run the farm for my family to make money," he explains. "It was kind of a hobby farm. We had a bunch of goats and chickens and a handful of cows and some horses and stuff." Top's father was in the livestock business, managing a commercial ranch and a sale barn. "I look back on growing up on that farm with only fond memories," Top reflects. "It was awesome getting to grow up around animals and, you know, learning how to work like that and everything. I think it was really valuable and a cool way to grow up."

Longing for the Hands-On Lifestyle

Now that he's focused on his music career, Top finds himself missing the physical labor and outdoor activities he once enjoyed on the farm. "I don't spend near enough time getting my hands dirty anymore," he laments. "All I do is sit around on this bus and wait to play music, it seems like now." To recapture that connection to nature, Top tries to get outside as much as he can, whether it's playing golf or going for a hike. "It seems more like a vacation to get outside than it was," he says wistfully.

Embracing the Challenges of the Music Industry

Despite the adjustments he's had to make, Top is grateful for the opportunities his music career has brought him. He was thrilled to learn of his CMA nomination, which came as a surprise when a friend texted him the news. "I'm not on socials or anything, and, so, somebody just texted me, 'congratulations.' And then I didn't know why. So, I texted back, and I was like, 'Thanks. For what?' And they they sent me the screenshot then off Instagram where they [had] seen I was on the nominations. So I was like, thanks. That's pretty cool," he explains.

Connecting with Fans Through Relatable Lyrics

Top's debut album, "Cold Beer & Country Music," has resonated with fans, garnering over 4 million streams in its first week. The singer-songwriter believes his music resonates because it covers a range of relatable topics and emotions. "People resonate with songs that, you know, there's something on that record, I think, for everybody, no matter what stage of life," he says. "You got to hold your beer up in the air and stomp your boot. Party songs, and you've got heartbreak songs. You got love songs. You know songs about love. Just, you know, kind of covers the range of the human condition, I guess, which is one of my favorite things about country music is that it tells stories that makes people feel understood and seen wherever they are in life."As Zach Top continues to navigate the fast-paced world of country music, he remains grounded in the values and experiences he gained growing up on the farm. His music, infused with the authenticity of his rural roots, is connecting with audiences and propelling him towards even greater success in the industry.