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Any country music fan worth their salt already knows who Zach Top is. He\u2019s the guy at the apex of bringing back traditional country music in the popular space. It stands to reason that a whole lot more people now know who he is after he turned in a rather moving, soaring, and distinctly twangy performance of \u201cThe Star Spangled Banner\u201d Sunday afternoon (1-25) ahead of the NFC Championship Game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks. <\/p>\n
There\u2019s a reason Saving Country Music\u2019s 2024 Artist of the Year, and the 2025 CMA New Artist of the Year was selected for National Anthem duties in Seattle. Zach Top is originally from Washington State and the town of Sunnyside where he grew up on a ranch. That made the 28-year-old a no brainer for the opportunity, and he hit it out of the park. <\/p>\n
The song is hard enough to sing, especially to a national audience. Putting a signature, twangy spin on it is something else, especially since Zach had to hold his attention as the jet flyover came a shade too early. Despite suffering a little rasp for a second, it might be one of the greatest country renditions of the song we\u2019ve ever heard, and Top earned high praise on social media\u2014which as we know, can come for people\u2019s head when the National Anthem is off, or even just average. <\/p>\n
Traditional country fans can shout into a void that actual country music is still alive and well, and you just have to seek it out. But it\u2019s a \u201cmoment\u201d like Zach Top had on Sunday that reaches the masses. It\u2019s the story of a hometown boy done good in Washington State. <\/p>\n
A week from now, Zach Top might have another reason to celebrate. He\u2019s up for the inaugural Best Traditional Country Album<\/a> at the Grammy Awards. <\/p>\n \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013<\/p>\n