Taking it as a compliment rather than a responsibility. Simply put, there’s no one doing it quite as well as Zach Top these days. Though there are plenty of other stellar artists keeping the traditional scene alive, such as Jake Worthington, Charley Crockett and more, the Washington native has launched himself into the stratosphere as of late. Of course, this was highlighted on a national scale the past few months when he not only took home Best New Artist at the CMA Awards in November, which he accepted with a Coors Banquet in hand, but also when he scored his first-career Grammy back in February. In turn, Top became the first-ever winner of the brand-new Best Traditional Country Album category, winning it with his sophomore album, Ain’t In It For My Health. While all the awards and viral success are great, the “I Never Lie” singer has also helped usher in a new generation of traditional country fans. Of course, it’s not like Top is the only artist sticking to the sounds and styles of ’90s country, with names like Randall King, Drake Milligan, Mae Estes and tourmate, Jake Worthington, all carrying the torch of traditionalism. With that being said, however, Top has quite clearly become the leader of the pack over the past two years and has subsequently been labeled the “savior” of traditional country music. Given how steeped in tradition country music is, it feels like a bit of a heavy title to hold. Throw in the fact that country music has been fractured into different subgenres and styles over the years, highlighted by the likes of Morgan Wallen and Zach Bryan’s rise to fame over the decade with radically different sounds, and it gets even more complicated. For Top, however, it’s not a heavy burden to carry at all. During his appearance on the Zach Sang Show, Top was asked if he feels an added pressure and/or responsibility given his appointed title as the “savior” or torchbearer for traditional country. The “Guitar” singer would explain that it doesn’t to him. Highlighting the fact that he’s received high praise in the past from past ’80s and ’90s legends such as Tracy Lawrence, Travis Tritt, Mark Chesnutt and more, Top would note that he takes it more as a compliment than a responsibility. “No, I take that as a really big compliment from guys that I grew up listening to and really liked their music [as a kid]. It feels like it’s a compliment that they’re like, ‘Yeah, I like what you’re doing.’ It’s like, ‘Well, sh*t, that’s cool. I really like what you’re doing or what you did.’ So it’s nice; it’s kind of a mutual respect type of thing.” The Washington native would then go on to explain that the entire “savior” of country music title and inherent pressure of it are never weighing on his mind when he’s writing and recording. Instead, he notes that he’s simply doing what he’s been doing his entire life, adding that it’s been working so far. “I’m not thinking about that when I’m writing or making records. I’m just doing what I do, and hopefully it keeps working. I believe in the songs and believe in the music. And, so far, the feedback that I have gotten is that a lot of other folks enjoy it too. [I’m] gonna keep doing that… I try to not get too caught up — there can be some butting heads — on what country music ought to be.” He’d finish by saying that he ultimately doesn’t pay too much attention to whatever titles he’s been given over the past few years, once again reiterating that he’s simply writing and performing the music that he’s always gravitated towards. “It is what it is. If people want to call me the torchbearer for traditional country, I don’t pay too much mind to that. I’m just doing what I do and hoping people enjoy it.” Watch the full podcast here: Zach Top Summer Tour Dates June 5 – Durant, Oklahoma – Choctaw Grand Theater with Cole Goodwin June 12 – Orange Beach, Alabama – The Wharf Amphitheater with Cole Goodwin June 20 – Columbia, Maryland – Merriweather Lakehouse with Wyatt McCubbin July 9 – Salt Lake City, Utah – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheater with Jake Worthington July 10 – Boise, Idaho – ExtraMile Arena with Jake Worthington July 15 – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – Sasktel Centre with Lukas Nelson July 16 – Edmonton, Alberta – Rogers Place with Lukas Nelson August 7 – Ottawa, Ontario – Canadian Tire Centre with Wyatt McCubbin August 8 – Canandaigua, New York – CMAC – Constellation Brands Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center with Wyatt McCubbin August 13 – Wantagh, New York – Jones Beach Amphitheater with Marty Stuart  August 20 – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – PPG Paints Arena with Marcus King August 21 – Allentown, Pennsylvania – PPL Center August 22 – Bangor, Maine – Maine Savings Bank Amphitheater with Marcus King August 28 – Gilford, New Hampshire – BankNH Pavilion with Marcus KingThe post Zach Top Says He Doesn’t Feel Any Pressure Being Labeled The “Savior” Of Traditional Country Music first appeared on Whiskey Riff.