If you’ve spent any time on country TikTok or tuned into a traditional-leaning radio station lately, you’ve probably heard that unmistakable 90s-style baritone. It’s Zach Top. The guy looks and sounds like he stepped straight out of a 1994 Wrangler commercial, and honestly, that’s exactly what the genre needed. But when people search for things to do Zach Top, they aren't usually looking for a weekend itinerary. They're looking for the heart of his breakout hit "Things to Do" and the lifestyle of the man who wrote it.
The song is a masterclass in the "I'm busy" trope of country music. It’s not about a packed calendar of corporate meetings. It’s about a man who has a list of responsibilities—mowing grass, catching fish, and closing down bars—that all serve as a thin veil for trying to move on from a heartbreak.
The "Things To Do" Vibe: More Than Just a Song
When Zach Top sings about having things to do, he’s tapping into a very specific kind of blue-collar stoicism. The track, which appears on his 2024 debut album Cold Beer & Country Music, was co-written with Carson Chamberlain and Mark Nesler. It’s got that crisp, clean production that reminds you of George Strait's "Ace in the Hole" era.
Basically, the narrator is telling a girl—who is presumably leaving or already gone—that he's got a full schedule. But look at the list:
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- Drinking a beer that needs drinking.
- Closing a bar that needs closing.
- Mowing grass that’s getting too high.
- Catching fish that are apparently waiting for him.
It’s relatable because we’ve all been there. You tell everyone you’re "fine" and "busy" because the alternative is admitting you're sitting around staring at the walls. Zach delivers these lines with a bit of a wink. You know he’s hurting, but he’s going to be "busy" hurting in the most productive way possible.
What Zach Top Actually Does When He's Not on Stage
Growing up on a farm in Sunnyside, Washington, Zach didn't just sing about the rural life; he lived it. This isn't a "city boy in a hat" situation. He grew up on a "hobby farm" as he calls it—they had goats, chickens, cows, and horses. He’s gone on record saying that while the farm wasn't the family’s primary income, it taught him the value of hard work.
Honestly, his childhood sounds like a movie. He was in a family bluegrass band called Top String when he was only seven years old. He played the festival circuit for a decade with his siblings. While other kids were playing video games, Zach was learning how to command a stage and perfect his flatpicking.
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Now that he’s a rising superstar in Nashville, his "things to do" have changed a bit. He’s admitted in interviews that life moves way faster now. He doesn't have the time to date much because he’s a "traveling cowboy" moving from town to town. When he does get a second of downtime, he tries to get outside—hiking or hitting the golf course. It’s funny, he says being outside feels like a "vacation" now, whereas it used to just be his everyday life on the ranch.
Why "Things to Do" Hit the Top of the Charts (and Our Playlists)
The song works because it’s authentic. There’s no snap-track or pop crossover attempt here. It’s pure, unadulterated honky-tonk. In 2026, as we look at the landscape of country music, there’s a massive hunger for what Zach Top is selling. People are tired of the over-produced stuff. They want a guy with a guitar who can actually sing.
The Billy Strings Connection
One of the coolest things to happen with this track was the collaboration with bluegrass titan Billy Strings. Having Billy jump on a version of the song gave it instant "cool" points with the Americana crowd while keeping it firmly rooted in country. It bridge the gap between the Nashville establishment and the underground roots scene.
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Key Musical Elements
- The Steel Guitar: It’s prominent. It cries exactly when it’s supposed to.
- The Vocal Flips: Zach has this way of hitting notes that feels effortless but is actually incredibly technical.
- The Relatability: It’s a "list song," a staple of the genre, but it feels fresh because of his delivery.
Catching Zach Top Live in 2026
If you’re looking for actual things to do Zach Top related, your best bet is catching him on tour. He has a massive schedule lined up for 2026. He’s hitting the "Birds Nest" at TPC Scottsdale in February, and then he's heading over to Europe for a string of dates in Zurich, Stockholm, and Oslo.
Later in the year, he’s playing the big festivals like Country Thunder and the Railbird Music Festival. Seeing him live is a different experience than the record. He doesn't do the Garth Brooks-style "flying in on a trapeze" thing. He’s more of the "stand there and play" type of entertainer. He’s mentioned before that he prefers a man and a guitar over a high-energy light show. It’s about the song and the voice.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you want to dive deeper into the world of Zach Top and the lifestyle he represents, here is what you should actually do:
- Listen to the full album: Don't just stop at "Things to Do." Check out "Sounds Like the Radio" and "Cold Beer & Country Music." They provide the full context of his sound.
- Go Back to the Roots: Zach grew up on Marty Robbins and George Jones. If you like Zach, you’ll love Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs. It’s basically his musical DNA.
- Watch the Live Sessions: There are some incredible acoustic versions of his songs on YouTube. Seeing his fingerpicking up close makes you realize how much of a musician he actually is.
- Follow the Tour: He’s opening for some big names like Chris Stapleton in 2026. If he’s in your city, go. This is the kind of artist people will talk about "seeing before they were huge" in ten years.
Zach Top isn't just a "throwback" act. He’s a reminder that some things—like a well-written song about a broken heart and a busy schedule—never actually go out of style. He’s basically proving that as long as there are bars to close and grass to mow, there will be a place for traditional country music.
To get the most out of his current run, keep an eye on his official site for "Fast Forward '26" tour updates, as he often adds small-club dates between the massive stadium shows with Stapleton. These intimate settings are where his storytelling really shines, often featuring unreleased tracks from his "vault" that he’s been teasing in recent interviews. For those interested in the gear, he’s still loyal to his Thompson D-MA guitar, which provides that deep, woody resonance you hear on the "Things to Do" acoustic sessions. Watching him work that fretboard in person is arguably the best way to understand why he’s currently the most respected "young gun" in Nashville.