Dierks Bentley Says He Knew Zach Top Was Special The First Time He Watched Him Play – “I Was Like ‘Wow'”

Real recognizes real.

With his upcoming record, Ain’t In It For My Health,  just TWO days away, Zach Top is gearing up for one of the most anticipated releases of the entire year. Hailed by many as the savior of country music due to his classic sound, impeccable style and world-class guitar skills, the Washington native has taken the genre by storm lately.

Despite making a name for himself throughout 2024 with the release of the ACM Album of the Year-nominated, Cold Beer & Country Music, there’s no doubt that Dierks Bentley has played a major role in his success over the summer. Taking him out on the road on his highly successful Broken Branches Tour, the “Sideways” singer has introduced Top to an even broader audience as he continues his rise to the top of country music.

In preparation for the release of his sophomore record this Friday, Top sat down with Bentley in an interview this morning on Spotify’s Countdown To Ain’t In It For My Health. In between rounds of golf, the pair discussed everything from the upcoming record and the pair’s bluegrass roots to the pressure that comes with being the new “it” guy in country music.

If there’s one thing about Bentley that has been proven throughout his career, it’s the fact that he knows talent when he sees it. Famously bringing along Cross Canadian Ragweed as openers back in 2006 during his first headlining tour, High Times and Hangovers, the “Settle For A Slowdown” singer has a long history of spotting rising talent early.

With Top, it was no different. As Bentley explained, he knew something special was brewing the first time Top stepped out on stage to open for him at a show in Fort Worth at Dickies Arena last June:

“I got turned on to you the first time. I know Mary Hilliard, my manager, told me about you. I think I already known about you a little bit. We played together last year… I remember you walked on stage. I was like, ‘Wow.’ The energy there, you just feel like that something special was happening with you.

And for me, it’s also just your band, too. I mean, just a really great band. So fun to be around that night. I remember hanging out, having some beers by the buses. And [it] just seems like you guys have a great time.”

There’s truly no other way to put it. As someone who’s had the pleasure of seeing Top twice now (once with Bentley and once with Flatland Cavalry), there’s a tangible feeling in the air when he steps on stage along with the band. From his now highly-lauded guitar work to other members of the band, such as Cheyenne Dalton Meyer on acoustic guitar/backup vocals and Brett Resnick on steel guitar, every member is firing on all cylinders at all times.

Top would also tell Bentley the impact he has had on him throughout his life. Recollecting how cool he thought it was to open for him, the “Use Me” singer noted how Bentley felt like a “mythical creature” to him as a kid:

“I remember that felt so cool though because you were one of the guys that felt like some sort of mythical creature to me when I was a kid… I thought you were a superhero before I met you. I remember when ‘What Was I Thinking’ came out, and me and my sister [were] screaming that song in the car when it’d come on the radio. Love that thing.”

Watch the full episode here:

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