Zach Top and Dierks Bentley Talk New Album, Golf, and Real Country Living

Spotify knows how to spark conversations fans actually want to hear. Their latest YouTube drop pairs rising star Zach Top with country heavyweight Dierks Bentley, swapping stories, sipping Coors Banquet, and digging into Top’s brand-new album Ain’t In It for My Health, released last Friday. The vibe is casual – two buddies hanging out around a cooler – but the conversation runs deep, giving fans a window into who Zach really is and why this record matters.

Zach Top’s Bluegrass Roots and Nashville Path

Early in the sit-down, Dierks steers the talk toward Zach Top’s roots in bluegrass. Top laughs about being one of a “crop of bluegrass fanatics” back home in Washington, raised on George Strait and Marty Robbins cassette tapes while his dad worked the livestock auction. His first tune at just seven years old was “Amarillo by Morning,” and he’s never really strayed from that traditional sound. Bluegrass, Top explains, isn’t about being stuck in the past – it’s about taking those old songs and twisting them into something new. Bentley, who has his own bluegrass credentials, nods along like a proud big brother.

Zach Top and Dierks Bentley’s Friendship on Tour

The easy camaraderie between Zach Top and Dierks Bentley comes from real miles on the road. They first met on tour in New Mexico about a year ago, and Top recalls the surreal feeling of drinking a beer with a man he once screamed along to in the car with his sister. “What Was I Thinkin’” wasn’t just a radio hit for Zach – it was part of the soundtrack to his youth. Dierks beams as Zach tells the story, the kind of honest fan-to-friend transition that country music thrives on.

Zach Top’s Album “Ain’t In It for My Health”

Naturally, the heart of the chat is Zach Top’s sophomore album, Ain’t In It for My Health. With 15 tracks cut over several years – some dating back to 2022 – the record balances raw bluegrass musicianship with a fresh, acoustic-heavy approach. Top admits he almost titled the record Guitar, before his producer steered him toward a phrase that sums up his drive: “I’m here to stay. I ain’t in it for my health.” Dierks praises the record’s depth, calling out favorites like “When You See Me,” while Top highlights “Between the Ditches” as a track that still gives him chills onstage, especially thinking about his mom’s hopes of having him home more often.

Beer, Golf, and Tour Life

Not everything in the interview is heavy. True to form, the pair mix in some lighthearted moments, grabbing their clubs to hit a few golf shots. Zach jokes about his dream foursome – John Daly, Chandler Phillips, and Michael Jordan – with side bets included, of course. Dierks teases him about scoring a sponsorship deal if his swing holds up. Between stories of kiddie-pool tour antics and beers shared backstage, the bond between them feels less like interviewer and guest, more like two friends killing time between gigs.

The Making of Zach Top’s Sound

One of the strongest threads in the talk is how Zach crafts his sound with authenticity. Half his current band are players he grew up with in the bluegrass scene, and that chemistry bleeds into every live set. Unlike Nashville newcomers who hire session pros on the fly, Top insists on building his records with the same guys he tours with. The result? A band that sounds like a band – tight, soulful, and road-tested. Dierks calls out Jerry Reed’s electric work across the album as a subtle nod to tradition, while Top sticks to acoustic, leaning into the stripped-back vibe he feels country is missing right now.

Carrying the Torch of Real Country

At one point, Dierks compares Zach to fellow boundary-pusher Billy Strings, saying both embody a young generation willing to carry the torch for real country and bluegrass. He even jokes that fans see Zach as a Marlboro Man figure – hat, grit, and all. Top brushes off the “next big thing” label with humility, admitting he hasn’t wrapped his head around it. For him, it’s always been about singing and playing, and the fact that it’s connecting at this level feels like lightning in a bottle.

A Friendship That Hits Deeper

By the end of the video, Zach and Dierks have covered everything from songwriting struggles to their favorite tour memories. But what lingers is the warmth between them: an established star passing the torch and a rising talent proving he can carry it. They share a laugh, grab their cooler, and walk off together – a perfect closer to a conversation that felt less like a promo piece and more like a glimpse into where country’s been and where it’s headed.