Top, 28, only burst onto the country music scene two years ago, but music has always been in his veins. Growing up in Washington state, he started playing in a band with his siblings at the age of seven.
In a world where country encompasses many genres, Top is known for his more traditional sounding songs including I Never Lie, which was also Grammy nominated.
“It’s just what comes out of me when I open my mouth or play the guitar,” he explains. “I grew up loving the really, really old stuff, so it makes sense that I landed somewhere similar.”
Top has been widely credited with bringing old-school country to younger audiences. “For them it’s something fresh and brand new,” he says.
“We get a lot of younger people at the shows. With country music, at some point the fans always want to return to the roots and traditions of what we know and love as country music.
“I got fortunate, I came along at the right time, and people wanted something raw versus the more hip-hop influenced country music that’s much more produced. I think people were ready to hear something more simple and real.”