Rising Country Star Zach Top Surprises Fans with Ronnie Milsap Cover at Nashville Bar

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Zach Top, the rising country star who won New Male Artist of the Year at the 2025 ACM Awards, surprised fans by taking the stage at the local Nashville bar Skinny Dennis to perform a cover of Ronnie Milsap's hit song "Don't You Ever Get Tired (Of Hurting Me)". Top's tribute to the country music icon, who overcame being nearly blind since birth to become a Grammy-winning artist with over three dozen #1 hits, delighted the intimate crowd at the East Nashville venue.

Why it matters

Zach Top's decision to honor Ronnie Milsap's legacy at a small local bar, rather than a larger tourist-focused venue, demonstrates his commitment to connecting with country music's roots and paying respect to the genre's influential figures. This surprise performance highlights Top's artistic integrity and his desire to engage with the Nashville music community beyond just chasing commercial success.

The details

While Zach Top has quickly risen to stardom, winning the ACM Award for New Male Artist of the Year in 2025 and earning Grammy nominations for his latest album, he still found time to perform an impromptu cover of Ronnie Milsap's "Don't You Ever Get Tired (Of Hurting Me)" at the intimate Skinny Dennis bar in East Nashville. The song, originally written by country legend Hank Cochran, has been recorded by numerous iconic artists like Ray Price, Willie Nelson, and George Jones, before becoming a #1 hit for Milsap.

• Zach Top won the 2025 ACM Award for New Male Artist of the Year.
• Top's latest album, "Ain't in It for My Health", was released in August 2025 and received Grammy nominations.
• The surprise Ronnie Milsap cover performance took place at the Skinny Dennis bar in East Nashville.