Surprise!
We always say you never know who you’ll see out and about in Nashville, and this is another prime example of that statement. It appears that Zach Top is enjoying some downtime these days, spending his nights blowing off steam at local dive bars, shooting pool, and sometimes jumping up on stage to sing a song or two.
Earlier this week, a TikTok user shared a video of ZT shooting pool with him at a dive. Clearly, Zach Top’s “Bad Luck” lyrics were not in the room with him because he left that bar $100 richer.
But that was not the only spotting of Zach Top at local dives because last night he made a stop at the Music City Bar and Grill to hang out and grab a cold one. After sipping on beer and shooting pool, Zach Top surprised visitors of the establishment, jumping on stage with the in-house band to sing a few songs.
Top walked right up to the microphone and began to sing Merle Haggard’s “Ramblin’ Fever.” Talk about a classic pick. ZT sounded incredible as the bar visitors quietly listened to him perform, enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime Tuesday night.
“My hat don’t hang on the same nail too long
My ears can’t stand to hear the same old song
And I don’t leave the highway long enough
To bog down in the mud
‘Cause I’ve got ramblin’ fever in my blood.”
@whiskeyriff @Zach Top // 🎥: Saratread (IG) #whiskeyriff #zachtop #musiccitybarandgrill ♬ original sound – Whiskey Riff
“Ramblin’ Fever” is one of Zach Top’s go-to covers, as he frequently features it on his setlists. Zach Top always said that he feels like he has the same sound as the stars from the ’90s because he listened to the same stuff they cut their teeth on, and this track from Haggard is a prime example of that.
“Obviously, I’ve got sonically, a reminiscent sort of thing going on from the ’90s stuff. But I kind of…I feel like I cut my teeth on the same kind of stuff the ’90s guys cut theirs on.”
Released in 1977, “Ramblin’ Fever” is one of the classic country tracks that ’90s stars would have heard growing up. But although he’s never set out to be the “’90s gimmick” guy, Zach Top told Billboard he’s honored to spearhead the movement back toward the sound of classic country music.
“For one thing, I’m honored that people see me as sort of a spearhead or a leader back towards traditional country music or country music the way that I fell in love with it and, you know, still love. It’s a fun spot to be in, and I think it’s a lot of just the right place at the right time sort of thing.”
While I think Zach Top would have found fame and driven the sound of country music back to its roots no matter what time he came up, I sure am glad that we live in a time where we get to watch it unfold.
Zach Top teased a new album in the works, teasing a few new songs during his VIP set, so I can’t wait to see what’s in store for his next project. Keep the classic country covers and the honky tonk heaters comin’ ZT.
Before you go, fire up his “Ramblin’ Fever” performance from his Ryman Auditorium debut.
