Zach Top and Billy Strings Bring New Life to “Don’t Cheat In Our Hometown”
Two unlikely collaborators bridge the gap between bluegrass and country.
Zach Top and Billy Strings Bring New Life to “Don’t Cheat In Our Hometown”
In the ever-evolving landscape of country and bluegrass, two rising stars are flipping the script: Zach Top and Billy Strings. Coming from opposite sides of the country, these two musicians have carved out their own lanes, and now, they’re merging them in the most exciting way possible. Their latest collaboration, Don’t Cheat In Our Hometown, sees them combining their talents to deliver an unforgettable blend of heartache, gritty guitar licks, and a sound that’s uniquely their own.
For Zach Top, a neotraditionalist country artist from Washington State, and Billy Strings, the wild and untamed bluegrass virtuoso from Michigan, this collaboration is the culmination of a friendship born out of mutual admiration. From their very first public jam session at Under The Big Sky Fest in 2024, it was clear that their musical chemistry was undeniable. The duo went on to turn heads with their impromptu set, and the music world took notice.
Now, they’re pushing the boundaries of what country and bluegrass can sound like together. Don’t Cheat In Our Hometown is a heartbreak anthem drenched in pain, pride, and that signature small-town feeling where everyone knows your business. The lyrics hit hard: “If you’re gonna cheat on me, don’t cheat in our hometown.” It’s a sentiment that resonates deeply, especially in a world where secrets are hard to keep in close-knit communities. The track builds with raw emotion, and Zach’s smooth, controlled guitar work pairs perfectly with Billy’s more wild, improvisational style. The result? A song that feels both timeless and rebellious at the same time.
But what makes this collaboration so compelling isn’t just the sound—it’s the way these two seemingly different artists have found common ground in their approach to music. Billy’s psychedelic, jam-band energy meets Zach’s polished, clean-cut country vibes in a way that shouldn’t work, but absolutely does. Their contrasting styles come together to create something fresh, redefining what’s possible in both genres.
While Zach has earned his stripes with his neotraditional approach to country music, Billy has been blowing up the bluegrass scene with his electric, genre-bending style. Their friendship and musical chemistry make Don’t Cheat In Our Hometown feel like a watershed moment in both artists’ careers. It’s a perfect mix of old-school storytelling and modern musical innovation—making it clear that the future of roots music is in good hands.
This isn’t the first time Zach and Billy have shared the stage. Their first public performance together at Under The Big Sky Fest in Montana left fans buzzing, and it set the stage for what would become an ongoing collaboration. The two have been turning heads ever since, dropping a live EP, Me & Billy, which included a fiery rendition of Don’t Cheat In Our Hometown, alongside Zach’s own tracks like Bad Luck and Things To Do.
For those lucky enough to be in Nashville this weekend, there’s a chance we might see Zach and Billy share the stage once again. Zach’s playing at the Ryman Auditorium, and Billy is just across the street at Bridgestone Arena, with both performing on the same weekend. While their paths might cross in Nashville, this collaboration is clearly just the beginning.
The energy between Zach Top and Billy Strings is a reminder that, in music, anything is possible when two artists who respect each other’s craft come together. Don’t Cheat In Our Hometown is a defining moment in the future of country and bluegrass, showing just how much is possible when artists like Zach and Billy break the rules and rewrite the script. If this collaboration is any indication, we’re in for a lot more surprises from these two—and we’re all here for it.