It doesn’t get much better than two of the most promising voices of country music pairing up for an epic performance, backed by the stunning views of Montana’s skyline at dusk.
During this past Saturday’s, July 18, headlining show at the Under The Big Sky Festival, Zach Top took the stage for an incredible, packed night of his fan-favorite hits and, in true Top fashion, a number of covers. During his performance, the Washington native was joined by none other than 2026 first-time ACM award winner and the festival’s featured act, who took the stage right before Top, Stephen Wilson Jr.
Once an Indiana Boxing savant and microbiologist, Wilson has had an insane breakout year in 2026, taking the country music world by storm with his standout tracks, “Gary,” “Father’s Son,” and a cover of “Stand By Me.” As for Top, it goes without saying that his meteoric rise to household-name status is still unfolding as the “I Never Lie” singer prepares to release new music in the coming months.
Saturday night’s show only further solidified this increasing anticipation for fans with Top absolutely crushing his headlining set and teasing what’s to come with a performance of his unreleased song, “Good Girls & Cowgirls,” followed by an equally electric duet with Wilson. Replicating a modern-day Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson (I’ll let you decide who’s who in this duo), the two joined forces for their own rendition of the 1983 ballad, “Pancho and Lefty.”
If I had one complaint beyond the fact that I wasn’t there in person to witness this incredible crossover, it’d be that every clip captured of the moment on the internet isn’t long enough. With Top harmonizing on the track during the chorus, the two shared trading verses and showcased their insane guitar picking skills.
As Top continues to focus on highlighting his addicting throwback country covers throughout his 2026 Cold Beer and Country Music tour, it only further warrants the necessity for a full-blown cover album. Along with the fact that a duet track on his next album (allegedly coming Spring 2027) would absolutely do NUMBERS.
While Top has mentioned he’s not a big fan of the inorganic, forced nature of many collaboration tracks, at this point he’s performed so many standout duets with artists like Wilson, the Red Clay Strays, Cole Goodwin, Dierks Bentley, and even Ella Langley, that there’s proven evidence he could pull off any duet he wanted to.
Tour Dates:
- July 23: Minot, ND
- July 25: Cheyenne, WY
- August 7: Ottawa, Ontario
- August 8: Canadaigua, New York
- August 13: Wantagh, New York
- August 14: Boston, MA
- August 15: Boston, MA
- August 20: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- August 21: Allentown, Pennsylvania
- August 22: Bangor, Maine
- August 27: Dieppe, NB
- August 28: Gilford, New Hampshire
- September 1: Toronto, Ontario