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A
Breath of Fresh Air.
“You can’t act like you’re having this much fun.”
Indeed, it is no act. It is nothing less than a genuine love
for music. This love shows in everything the seasoned artist
does, especially his high-energy shows, which frequently send
people into “Zach Attacks” – uplifting moments where
people are compulsively risen out of their seats by the
passion to dance, sing, cheer, or scream out. “I love
reaching people. I know I’m doing my job when people come up
to me and say ‘I’m kicking drugs,’ ‘I’m quitting a
job I hate to do something I’ve always wanted to do,’
‘Your music has helped my autistic child become more
sociable and make major progress with his condition,’ or
‘Your music has helped me get through some bad times, or
Cancer or something, or has turned around a bad day.’ That
is why I sing. How could you not put all of your passion into
that?”
Zach’s
newest CD, Face With a View, released in the summer of
2005, is certainly flowing with this passion. Though he has
self-released three prior CD’s, this newest one is his
crowning achievement. “This record was the first that I
really took a good deal of control over, and so I was able to
really communicate more so than in my previous recordings. The
growth I’ve gone through over the last three years is
incredibly prevalent. The songs I chose this time needed to
fit the concept of a very genuine and sincere emotional cycle
that I felt the record needed to portray.” Its true beauty
is in soulful simplicity. The title was chosen to fit this
cycle as a reminder that there is beauty everywhere, even if
it has to be actively sought at times. Zach was accompanied by
the living bass legend, Jeff Berlin, on a song called “Girl
in the Corner.” “Jeff was perfect for this song. Because
of his feel and technical abilities as well as his interest in
the pop music world, I knew he could take the song to another
dimension of beauty and innate communication with his
extraordinary melodic bass style.” The first single,
“Distracted,” brought in producer Michael Seifert (Guided
by Voices, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony), drummer Joe “Coach”
Hanna (Toby Lightman, Gavin DeGraw), and Billy Sullivan (the
Raspberries) to fully augment this proven popular hit. “I
thrive on all environments that challenge both myself and
everyone around me to grow. Working on this record has been
this way, which is why it captured my intents so
successfully.”
Zach is no stranger to touring. He performs over 200 shows a
year, taking him all over the country, and placing him on
stage with Chicago, Bad Company, Catie Curtis, Maia Sharp,
Steve Poltz, Rick Springfield, Rusted Root, Farm Aid,
 Jen
Chapin, Michael Bolton, and Buckwheat Zydeco. His exciting,
high energy shows and spiritually emotional material have
gathered a devoted following and give Zach the ability to
win-over and move audiences both in and outside of his genre.
“People want to be entertained, but you can’t always be
mindlessly entertained. That only goes so far and only
fulfills so much. You need substance too.” The coffee shop
scene permitted Zach the opportunity to begin and grow as a
performer, and he still gravitates toward the more intimate
settings. “I love to rock out and dance around! Anytime. But
songwriter shows, especially the New York Songwriter Circle
at the Bitter End, are so fundamentally
based on the song and not the show and are mentally very
gratifying. It is so inspiring to be on such a legendary stage
with peers on both sides of your career, learning from them.
You never stop learning. It’s one of my favourite aspects
of life.” Zach is being dubbed a role model for the
echo-boomer generation, though he is very appealing to all age
groups. His fan-focused approach to performing and promoting,
which includes the widely popular “Zach Pack Newsletter,”
has earned him a growing and dedicated fan base, resulting in,
among other things, his website, Zachmusic.net receiving
around 30,000 hits each month. Zach’s heavy performance
schedule has also awarded such accolades as #3 All-Time
Best Artist as nominated by the 20,000 listeners of WAPS
91.3 FM The Summit in Akron , Ohio
and a Finalist in the Soul City Café
Music Quest sponsored by pop-star Jewel.
“I’ve always been drawn to writing and reading.” Zach is
not only a highly prolific songwriter, with over 200 songs in
only four short years, but an accomplished fiction writer,
too. A short story Zach wrote as a senior in high school,
“Bolero,” won 6th place in the New Century
Writer’s Award, was a finalist in a Francis Ford
Coppola/Zoetrope Magazine writing contest, and was read at the
Nation Undergraduate Literature Conference in Utah .
“I’m inspired by everything, especially things that are
artistically and culturally enhancing -- that really brings
out the best in my creativity.” In addition to this, he has
finished two novels, which he plans on releasing in the
future. “Who knows, maybe someday, I’ll be doing the
soundtrack to the movie of the book I wrote. But really,
happiness is simply singing my songs to people, changing the
world one minute, one life, at a time.”
“’You
must be the change you wish to see in the world’”.
Truly,
a breath of fresh air.
 Zach
has garnished such awards as Best Singer/Songwriter and is a 3
time winner of Best Pop Act in the Cleveland Music
Festival. He has received over 1,500 Spins on
WAPS 91.3 The Summit; was a finalist in the national Soul
City Café Music Quest; receives over 190,000 hits
and growing per month on the website; named in the TOP 4
Artists spun on WAPS 91.3 The Summit Radio (6 places above
the Beatles); performs over 230 shows a year; had his
Christmas song, "On Christmas Morning" spun on over
130 stations nationwide; wrote the jingle/theme song for the
nationally syndicated radio show "Into the 70s with Tom
Kent;" has sung the National Anthem for large sporting
events, was invited to perform at the Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame; is a regular at the New York Songwriter Circle.
ZACH
Attacks:
- “Zach is an awesome talent! John
Lennon's compassion courses through his veins. I'm
very impressed with this kid and believe he is a star!
He is also a down to earth, level headed decent human
being willing to do whatever it takes to make it.
Also, I've seen him live and he's just as good live as his
recorded presentation and a charmer as well.”
-- Tom Kent, Elektra Records
- “ZACH’s
performance is in a word, INCREDIBLE! I have never
seen a solo performance like it. If you've never
seen one of his solo shows you gotta go.”
-- Rick Reich, Rudedog Music Promotions
- “Zach’s music
is pop/rock at its best, with catchy hooks and insightful,
clever lyrics. At times, Zach sounds like James Taylor,
others like "80's group Crowded House. But through it
all, he is forging his own unique sound that is getting
attention.” -- Tim Busbey, Ashland Times-Gazette
- “He's (Zach) very cool. I think "Distracted"
is my favorite one. I also love the guitars in
"Son Of The Circus." Nice and crunchy. I
hope it does well. He definitely deserves to be
heard.” -- Maia Sharp
- "ZACH has exceptional talent and I'd like to see
him make it all the way. I think he will. And
that's why I'm here [performing on stage with ZACH]."
-- Jeff Berlin
- "Zach
is a seasoned musician and a great songwriter" --
Jeff Niesel, Cleveland Free Times
- “What's clear is that people loved Zach’s stuff. We
received emails and message board postings from people who are
blown away by his work. His music has touched
many lives through this competition and we're all very
grateful for his participation. Soul City Cafe is
extremely proud of its association with Zach.” -- Ken
Calhoun, Soul City Cafe
- "He has released a pair of good
albums, and his better-than-average songwriting --
emotional, witty and surprisingly kinetic folk-pop ...he
carries himself with soul and elegance." -- Ed
Bumgardner Relish staff writer
- “I enjoyed listening to the CD …
someone will recognize his talent.” -- Dick Clark
- “The CD (A Beautiful Possession)
is excellent and a unique blend of acoustical
showcases, lyrical magic and hard rockin’ electric
guitar and drums. His soft voice has immense range and
depth and his well-written lyrics are clearly
understandable on every track.” -- Mary Kosiniski, Kent
Record-Courier
- “I put local CDs we get in the
changer with four national discs to see if the local one
stands out… when I heard Zach’s, I had to take (the
CD) out and see whose it was. I said ‘Wow, this is
really good. Who is this guy?’” -- Bill Gruber,
Program Director 91.3 WAPS The Summit
-
“Zach performed its unique,
simple-but-confident tunes, the crowd jumped, laughed and
swelled to at least twice its original size. With each
succeeding song, bodies pressed closer to the stage and
closer to one another as the steady beat overtook their
minds and limbs. Not one person stood still… As the
players wound down and announced their last song, the
crowd cheered and begged for more…’The band performed
beyond my expectations,’ said senior and Student
Activities Board officer Erik Butcher.”
--Rachel Womelsduff, Collegian Reporter
-
“Zach has the
quiet intensity of Elliot Smith.” -- Jeff Neisel,
Cleveland Free Times
- “The title track (Turquoise Dreams) and
“Invisible Man” are songs that make you feel like you
are experiencing brilliance on the rise.” -- Mike
Farley, Michael J. Media Promotions
- “Zach’s not just good for his age; he’s just
good.” -- David Martin, Cleveland Scene Magazine
- "Zach... brings his blend or rockin' folk-pop songs
and love on the rocks ballads for an evening of awesome
entertainment." -- Jeff Smith, Relish Magazine,
Winston-Salem, NC
- “This young poet puts his mindful, sensitive,
yet hip lyrics to catchy, toe-tapping groves that uplifts
audiences, while making them think at the same time.” --
Tommy Bruno, GM 91.3 WAPS The Summit
- "He's electric...enter Zach and everyone lights
up" -- Tom Kent, Elektra Records
Openers:
ZACH
FACT SHEET
1.
Born May 13th, 1981
2.
Birthplace: Parma , Ohio
3.
Astrological Sign: Taurus (Celtic Tree Sign: Poplar)
4.
Eyes: Blue Height: 6’1”
5.
Favourite Foods: Rice, Peanut Butter and Jelly
Sandwiches
6.
Favourite Colours: Black, Red, Green
7.
Lifestyle: Non-Smoker, Non-Drinker, Non-Drugs
8.
Books that Changed My Life:
*Letters to
a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke – the most inspirational
thing I have ever read. Every word was written to me for me.
Kevin Spacey referred this book to me, and I am more focused
and defined in my music, art, and vision because of it.
* Alice in
Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -- the first book I ever
read over and over and over again. It single-handedly began my
interest in words and word play. The more times I read it, the
more inspired I get.
*White
Nights (Memoir of a Dreamer)/ the Brothers Karamozov by
Dostoevsky – The most beautiful words I have ever read. A
lot of my writing is a description, or emotion, or description
of emotion. I wish I could someday do it all well as it is
done here.
9.
Favourite Authors: Kurt Vonnegut, Fyodor Dostoesvsky,
Gogol, Kafka, Albert Camus, Tom Robbins, Woody Allen, Bob
Frissell
10. What
brought Me to Music: 3 things:
*Appendicitis
– I nearly died from a ruptured appendix, and the recouping
time dashed my hopes of making the high school basketball
team. During the time I was in the hospital, I had gotten a
gift of a Beatles cassette and the Best of Queen CD. By the
time I came out of the hospital, I had wanted to learn to play
guitar and had already begun writing songs.
*Jewel –
I fell in love with her debut album, and saw her at an
intimate venue outside of Cleveland , Ohio . The show was so
moving to me, and she communicated her music and personality
so well to the audience, it felt like the show was a personal
one just for me. When I left, I knew I needed to be performing
and seriously making music for the rest of my life.
*High
School Talent Show – I knew I was onto something good, when
I had the sell-out 1,000 seat venue screaming and singing
along with my own song. Then a huge fight and riot erupted.
The police came. And I continued singing. The power of music!
11. My
Fiction Writings: I’ve always been drawn to writing. My
short story, Bolero: won 6th place in the 2001 New
Century Writer Awards, was entered into a competition with
Zoetrope Magazine and Francis Ford Coppola where it was a
finalist, and was read at the National Undergraduate
Literature Conference in Utah for the same year. I have also
finished two novels.
12. Radio
Writings: I wrote the jingle/theme song “Into the
‘70’s” for a syndicated oldies radio show created in
Cleveland , Ohio that is currently on over 150 stations and
counting! It has been my first adventure into writing
music for platforms other than pop music. And it has been
hugely successful.
13. Pets: I
have an adopted Humpback Whale named Patches that lives in the
Atlantic Ocean , and a little black cat named Zero.
14. I
believe it is our responsibility to change the world for the
better, to add meaning and value into life and culture. That
sounds naïve, but it is very easy to change the world for a
few minutes, or to change someone’s world for a few moments.
It’s as the saying goes, “The journey of a million miles
begins with a single step.” We must all “be the change we
want to see in the world.”
15. Why “Face
With a View?” We are always looking at beautiful things. To
realize this is to truly feel. The music follows this whole
theme. You should listen to the disc in its entirety. The
answer is there, waiting. The answer is always the easy part.
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