Zach Top can now officially add singing live at the ACM awards to his rapidly growing list of accomplishments. On Thursday, May 8, during the 60th anniversary of the Academy of Country Music Awards, Top made his ACM debut with a stirring performance of his ballad, “Use Me.”
Given Top has a number of well-known, more upbeat hits that have gone viral, this slow, bittersweet tune was a bit of a curveball choice. Nonetheless, his heartfelt delivery captivated the audience and proved to be a good pick for the occasion.
Earlier in the week, Top was named ACM’s New Male Artist of the Year, and his powerful live rendition of “Use Me” only reinforced that he’s more than deserving of the title. He was also nominated for ACM’s Album of the Year award for his 2024 album, “Cold Beer and Country Music.”
Standing center stage amongst the crowd at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, Top serenaded the crowd with this intimate performance of the 2024 hit. There’s no better combo than Zach Top and his guitar, delivering the gut-wrenching lyrics with his beloved ’90s nostalgic sound.
With over 51 million streams on YouTube, “Use Me” is the epitome of a belt at the top of your lungs, cheatin’ song. Shockingly enough, it is not one of the singles off the album however, it has proven to be a fan favorite and a staple at his shows.
While 2024 was the prominent mark of success in Top’s career, he’s continued to ride off that high in 2025 with promises of a new summer album to come. He’s also been selling out solo shows across the country, and he’s gearing up to join Dierks Bentley on the Broken Branches tour at the end of May.
The classic country revivalist has helped reshape the modern country scene. Many have drawn flattering comparisons to 90s legends like Alan Jackson (who many also joke is his “secret father”). Fittingly, Jackson also performed that night, delivering a moving rendition of his hit “Remember When.” Earlier this year, Top joined Jackson on his farewell tour, which felt like a heartfelt, symbolic passing of the torch from one legend to another.
Watch the full video here: