Zach Top Brings ’90s Country Back to Michigan With a Wild Night in Grand Rapids
If you grew up listening to country radio in the '90s, you probably remember when fiddles and steel guitars weren't just along for the ride. They were part of what made country music country.
Saturday night, October 17, Zach Top brought that sound to a packed Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids. And judging by all the cowboy hats, boots and people singing along, Michigan was more than ready for it.
Zach Top Brings '90s Country to Van Andel Arena
Zach's Cold Beer & Country Music Tour '26 rolled into town with a roughly two-hour, 27-song show that felt like somebody had turned the clock back about 30 years.
He kicked things off with "Sounds Like the Radio," the debut single from his 2024 album Cold Beer & Country Music, and kept the crowd going with songs including "Bad Luck," "The Kinda Woman I Like" and "There's the Sun." That last one came with a pretty cool arena-wide display as fans lit up their phones.
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He also worked in newer material from 2025's Ain't In It for My Health, including "South of Sanity," "She Makes" and "Good Times & Tan Lines."
One of the night's surprises came when Zach covered Shenandoah's "Two Dozen Roses." That song came out in 1989, and plenty of the people singing every word Saturday night weren't even born then.
Tell me traditional country music isn't making a comeback.
A Flying Bra and Marty Stuart's Surprise Appearance
Things got a little interesting during a bluegrass segment featuring fiddle, banjo and mandolin.
While Zach and his band performed "In a World Gone Wrong," somebody tossed a bra onto the stage. Zach laughed, picked it up and hung it around the banjo player's neck without missing a beat.
READ MORE: Dustin Lynch Brought the Hits, Some Surprises and a Proposal to Shipshewana
That's one way to show your appreciation, I guess.
Another highlight came when country legend Marty Stuart, who had opened the show, returned to join Zach for "Honky Tonkin's What I Do Best." It was the last stop for the two acts together on this tour, and they shared a hug before Marty left the stage.
Zach also gave his band some well-deserved recognition, including fiddle player Ryan Joseph, who spent 13 years playing with Alan Jackson. And if you needed another reminder of Zach's old-school influences, he performed Dolly Parton's "9 to 5," complete with a saxophone feature.
Zach Top's Grand Rapids Encore and Crowd Reaction
The crowd was already on its feet for "I Never Lie" and "Cold Beer & Country Music," but it wasn't ready to call it a night.
Zach returned for a two-song encore, "I Know a Place" and "Things to Do." Before wrapping up, he told fans this was his first time performing in Grand Rapids and admitted he hadn't known what to expect.
His verdict? "It is good to see country music alive and well in Grand Rapids, Michigan!"
Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives Open the Show
Before Zach took the stage, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives had delivered their own master class in traditional country, rockabilly and bluegrass.
Alongside Chris Scruggs, Harry Stinson and Kenny Vaughan, Marty played favorites including "Hillbilly Rock," "Tempted" and "The Whiskey Ain't Workin'."
He also recalled first playing Grand Rapids when he was touring with Johnny Cash, then honored that connection with a crowd-requested "Ring of Fire." The set wrapped up with "Orange Blossom Special" and "Time Don't Wait."
Between Marty's musical history lesson and Zach's fresh take on a familiar sound, Saturday night was a good reminder that country music doesn't have to forget where it came from to find a whole new audience.
Photos From Zach Top's Grand Rapids Concert
Take a look at some of our favorite moments from the night below, courtesy of photographer John Reasoner.
Zach Top Plays Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, 10/17/26
Gallery Credit: JR
Dustin Lynch at Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, 10/9/26
Gallery Credit: JR
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