Zach Top to Join Alan Jackson’s 2025 Arena Tour as Direct Opener
NASHVILLE — Country traditionalist Zach Top, one of the brightest new voices championing the sounds of ’90s country, has been announced as the direct opener for Alan Jackson’s limited run of 2025 arena concerts. The pairing, described by fans as a match made in “country music heaven,” brings together one of the genre’s fastest-rising acts with a Hall of Famer whose influence defined a generation.
Jackson, 66, remains on his Last Call: One More from the Road tour, a series of carefully selected dates that mark his final large-scale outings as he continues to navigate the effects of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), a degenerative neurological condition. While his performances have become rarer in recent years, the announcement that Zach Top will share the bill adds fresh excitement to the singer’s upcoming dates.
Right now, Jackson’s calendar includes just five confirmed shows in major arenas, though more dates are rumored to be in the works. Independent songwriter James Carothers, a favorite at Jackson’s Good Time Bar in Nashville, will also open the shows ahead of Top.
For Zach Top, 25, the opportunity is deeply personal. “I’m joining one of my musical heroes, Mr. Alan Jackson, for a handful of shows,” he said in a statement. “I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but this might be the countriest show you’re gonna get to see all year next year, so make sure you’re there. I couldn’t be more honored. As you can probably guess, Alan Jackson was a big influence on me.”
The Washington state native has been steadily winning over country fans with a traditional sound that nods to George Strait, Randy Travis, and of course, Jackson himself. His recent live performances — including sold-out shows at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth and an appearance at the Fort Bend County Fair in early October — have cemented him as one of the leading lights in a revival of ’90s-style country. Top has also been performing opening slots for CMA Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson, further boosting his profile as one of the most talked-about new acts in Nashville.
Jackson’s fans are eager to see him return to the stage, even if his schedule remains limited. Since announcing his neurological condition in 2021, the Country Music Hall of Famer has scaled back his touring commitments, focusing on select, high-profile performances. His Last Call tour has become both a farewell and a celebration, giving audiences the chance to revisit four decades of hits — from “Chattahoochee” and “Don’t Rock the Jukebox” to “Remember When” and “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning).”
The addition of Zach Top to the bill highlights Jackson’s role as a mentor and standard-bearer for traditional country. By inviting a younger artist whose music reflects the very sound Jackson helped popularize, the shows are expected to feel both nostalgic and forward-looking — a passing of the torch between generations.
Fans will have five opportunities to witness the pairing in 2025:
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Saturday, January 18 — Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
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Saturday, February 15 — Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, TX
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Friday, March 7 — Kia Center, Orlando, FL
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Saturday, April 26 — Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL
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Saturday, May 17 — Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
All dates are now on sale through Alan Jackson’s official website, with demand expected to be high given the limited run.
For Jackson, the tour is another reminder of his resilience and enduring connection to fans. For Zach Top, it’s the chance of a lifetime — stepping onto arenas filled with country devotees alongside one of his greatest inspirations. As he put it, “This isn’t just a show. It’s an honor.”