This Is Big: Zach Top to Open for Alan Jackson
On the day he was born docs couldn’t believe, he came out cryin’ “Chattahoochee.” Now he’ll be opening for The Man himself.
It’s a match made in country music heaven. Zach Top is out there reminding the world that the ’90s were the last great era in popular country music, and now he’ll be saddling up with one of the last true torchbearers from the ’90s era. Just announced, Zach Top has been added as the direct opener to all of Alan Jackson’s upcoming 2025 arena shows.
Right now, Jackson only has five shows scheduled (see below), but more could be on the way. Opening ahead of Zach Top will also be independent country songwriter James Carothers. He’s become a favorite of patrons of Alan’s “AJ’s Good Time Bar” on Lower Broadway in Nashville.
Zach Top’s popularity is surging at the moment, especially as a live performer as he sells out venues left and right, including his appearance October 3rd at the Fort Bend County Fair in Texas, as well as Billy Bob’s Texas in Ft. Worth on Oct. 11th. Meanwhile, Top will continue to play opening sets for Lainey Wilson until the end of the year.
“I’m joining one of my musical heroes, Mr. Alan Jackson for a handful of shows,” Zach Top says. “I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but this might be the countriest show you’re gonna get to see all year next year, so make sure you’re there. I couldn’t be more honored. As you can probably guess, Alan Jackson was a big influence on me.”
Alan Jackson is currently on his “Last Call: One More from the Road” tour as he continues to battle through issues caused by the neurological disease CMT. This is keeping his touring schedule limited.
All tour dates are now on sale at alanjackson.com/tour.
TOUR DATES:
Saturday, January 18 at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, OK
Saturday, February 15 at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas
Friday, March 7 at Orlando, Florida’s Kia Cente
Saturday, April 26 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida
Saturday, May 17 at Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s Fiserv Forum.
October 1, 2024 @ 7:25 pm
Congrats to Zach!!! Cold Beer & Country Music = A L B U M of T H E Y E A R
October 2, 2024 @ 7:19 am
…ernest’s “nashville, tennessee” is a much better and way more interesting album. if that guy just was more impressive vocalist…
October 1, 2024 @ 7:43 pm
I was pumped when I saw the tour announcement but unfortunately its no shows near the DMV area. I’m hoping for more tour announcements but I fully understand why this is a short run of shows.
Speaking of the 90s sound Trigger do you have a recommended album list of the transition from 90s country to the 2000s? I’m curious if its any forgotten gems that still maintained that traditional sound despite the growing bro country fandom that seemed to unfortunately dominate that era. If any fellow readers could offer up any artist/albums recommendations as well that would be awesome.
October 2, 2024 @ 2:38 pm
I hope they make it to the Northwest!
Artists I would recommend from that era include Montgomery Gentry, Dierks Bentley, Gary Allen, Leanne Womack, Brad Paisley, and the Dixies Chicks. Alan Jackson never stopped putting out hits during that time, even Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney had some good songs amongst the rest of their trash.
But probably the best album from that time would be Lovesick, Broke, and Driftin’ by Hank III.
Never forget listening to it in a hot stuffy singlewide in Havre MT back in 2002 and being blown away…
October 2, 2024 @ 4:18 pm
Greatly appreciate this .Thanks again !
October 1, 2024 @ 9:54 pm
Could be that Jackson needs two opening acts because he can’t perform as lengthy a show–2 1/2 hours or more–as a lot of major stars tend to do nowadays. I don’t blame him. If anything that CMT disease seems to be more debilitating than the way Jackson has described it in interviews. And like most such incurable diseases, it tends to get progressively worse.
I’d also bet that Jackson is not going to end his performing career at the Milwaukee Bucks’ arena, per that announced schedule. Maybe the Hawks’ State Farm Arena, which is a three-quarters-of-an-hour drive from where he grew up.
October 1, 2024 @ 10:32 pm
…and where he opened for Randy Travis back in 1991 (I believe), in State Farm Arena’s predecessor, the Omni…
October 1, 2024 @ 10:32 pm
finishes last show ever -> goes 1.2 miles S of Fiserv to celebrate w/ Whiskey Ice Cream.
October 2, 2024 @ 7:13 am
…my (very little problem) with zach top is that he’s not bringing anything new to the (country) table, apart from his individual talent and appeal. he’s selling old wine in new skins. i love the 90s country sound and alan jackson but i’ve been there, done it and bought the cds. why should i want to have the almost exact same again? morgan wallen, with all his flaws and limitations, is tons more innovative on the way into the future of country music than zach top. picture that for a moment! as cosy as it feels to listen to zach top, i can’t help but feeling that i’m getting (pleasantly) dumbed down by doing so.
October 2, 2024 @ 7:41 am
Well Tom just because you’ve “been there, done it and bought the CDs,” many younger folks weren’t around back then, so it’s all new and fresh to them like it is to me. Not to mention he’s an amazing player.
October 2, 2024 @ 7:46 am
Was going to make that same point. When I’ve seen Zach Top perform, the front row is full of people who weren’t even born in the ’90s staring starry-eyed at Zach Top. It reminds them of the music of their parents, giving them a nostalgic feeling, but from someone who is their own age.
October 2, 2024 @ 11:05 am
This. I’m currently planning to stack a baseball camp AND tickets to this concert in OKC for myself and 14 year old twins. There’s not an artist alive that could generate this much excitement for both my boys and myself
October 6, 2024 @ 7:32 am
Wolfmother and Greta Van Vleet might be somewhat similar examples in rock.
October 2, 2024 @ 9:51 am
From talent alone I’m pretty excited to see what direction he goes in. He could easily return to bluegrass with the next record or expand on this 90s sound. I would love to see him live. I imagine he shreds a lot more live than on his record.
October 2, 2024 @ 9:37 pm
Being original is not that important. He’s got a good sound and sings with soul, what more could you want? The great thing about real country music is that it is timeless, just like the blues; artists sound original just by being themselves, even if they sing the same old songs. I remember watching an interview with Jimi Hendrix where he said that when he listens to a guitar player, how original that guitar player sounds is is nowhere near the top of his list of things he looks for an likes.
October 2, 2024 @ 11:21 am
The passing of the torch. This is good.
October 4, 2024 @ 10:08 pm
Already had my ticket for the show in Tampa. Will make sure to get there early!
October 4, 2024 @ 11:37 pm
Got my tickets to the Milwaukee show as soon as they went on sale. Can’t wait. Alan Jackson is my wife’s all time favorite. I was wondering who would be opening. Very pleased.
November 2, 2024 @ 10:19 pm
I wish we could see Alan and Denise dancing to Remember When in the last 6 concerts!!!!!