From Fields to Fame: Country Star Zach Top Reflects on the Quick Pace of Music Life

In the quaint little town of Sunnyside, Washington, where life lurks slowly like a well-loved dog on a sunny afternoon, Zach Top reminisces about his idyllic farm upbringing. The country music world, on the other hand, is a whirlwind of fast-paced glamour and delicious chaos. “Life's way too fast,” he exclaims, echoing every small-town dreamer who feels the tug of the big city, only to find that the city doesn't always have the charm of a haystack or the comfort of a worn-out pair of boots.

As he prepares for the 2024 CMAs, where he has snagged a nomination for new artist of the year for his catchy anthem, “Cold Beer & Country Music,” Top finds himself reflecting on the differences between the rhythms of farm life and the frenetic pace of touring. “Back then, I woke up in the same spot every day,” he recalls, a hint of longing glistening in his eyes. “Now, I’m forever trying to remember what town I’ve rolled into next morning. What a way to keep a guy grounded, right?”

It’s no surprise that a farm, filled with goats, chickens, and the general aroma of honest labor, becomes a cherished memory when contrasted with the hustle and bustle of the music industry. “We didn’t run the farm for cash; it was more of a hobby,” Top explains, painting a picture of a life infused with love and responsibility rather than profit margins. “My dad was in the livestock game, so we had our share of cows and horses, but mostly, it was about getting our hands dirty and learning how to care.”

And what is life without a little dirt under your nails? For Top, those days on the farm were the cornerstone of who he is today, full of treasured lessons and hard work. “I look back with nothing but fond memories; I mean, how incredible is it to grow up surrounded by animals and the joy of farming?" He laughs lightly, the warmth of nostalgia cloaking him like a favorite flannel shirt. “There’s something about it that feels like a lost art in today’s world.”

But alas, life has turned into a series of bus rides and sound checks for the budding star. “These days, I feel more like I’m vacationing at a resort when I get outside,” he quips. “When did playing golf and lounging around become the new farming?”

November promises to be a big month for Top, particularly when his debut album, “Cold Beer & Country Music,” made a splashy entrance with over 4 million streams in its first week—let that sink in for just a moment. It’s like a fairy tale that doesn’t require a glass slipper, just a good beat and some real talk. “I didn’t even know I was nominated until someone texted me,” he admits, still sounding pleasantly surprised. “I mean, does anyone even look at social media anymore?”

His music, he insists, is a reflection of universal experiences. “There’s something on that record for everyone, no matter where you’re at in life,” he says, his enthusiasm palpable. “From heartbreak to the joys of love, it’s all there—just like the patchwork quilt of our human emotions.”

So here we have Zach Top, a country boy at heart, now navigating the ups and downs of showbiz while never quite forgetting the simple life back on the farm. “You’ve got to lift your beer and stomp your boot,” he laughs, distilling the essence of good country music into a few simple actions. “The stories I tell? They’re about making people feel seen and understood.”

In a world that often feels like a race, it’s refreshing to encounter someone who acknowledges the charm of slow-moving days, even as he races toward the stage. Zach Top is a reminder that amidst the chaos, it’s the heartfelt simplicity of life that lingers in our memories long after the last note has been played.