Dierks Bentley stopped his stadium show cold to make a bet on Zach Top. He told 60,000 screaming fans they were looking at the future of country music. Then, they hit the opening notes of Alabama’s ‘Mountain Music.’
The music was loud and completely unpolished in the best way possible. It did not rely on backing tracks. Instead, it was just two men and a banjo making a massive NFL stadium feel like a backyard bonfire. You have to see the moment the crowd realizes they are not just watching a concert, but a history lesson in real honky-tonk soul.
Watch the full video below:
Dierks Bentley & Zach Top – Medley (Live at CMA Fest 2025)
The reaction from the crowd was instant and overwhelming as they carried the chorus for the band. One viewer said they had not seen this kind of energy in Nashville since the 1990s. Another person noted that the joy on the faces of the performers was as real as the music itself.
That stadium sized roar eventually settled into a much more personal kind of magic. While the duet showed the power of a partnership, the young guest had already proven he could hold a stage all by himself. He moved from being a surprise guest to a true standalone force that the music industry simply cannot ignore anymore.
Zach Top – “Guitar” (Live Performance/CMA)
When he plays his hit song ‘Guitar’ alone, the focus stays entirely on his hands and that unmistakable traditional twang. There are no computer beats or vocal tricks to hide behind in this performance. The audience watched in total silence, captivated by his elite flat picking skills and a voice that sounds like it was born in a different era.
Zach Top is leading a revival that honors the legends while forging a brand new path for the genre. His journey from a Washington farm to the bright lights of Nashville is a story of grit and talent. Follow Zach Top on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to stay connected to the real roots of country.