During a recent appearance on TL’s Road House with Tracy Lawrence, Jon Pardi shared his admiration for fellow country star Zach Top while discussing an interesting topic that often comes up among country music fans: accents.
Pardi pointed out that both he and Zach Top come from the West Coast, a region not traditionally associated with the Southern drawl many listeners expect from country artists. Yet despite their upbringing, both singers have developed a distinct country sound that feels authentic to the genre.
According to Pardi, the explanation is simple.
“When you sing country music all your life, you’re gonna have a little twang.”
The California native explained that spending years immersed in country music naturally influences the way artists sing. Whether it’s the phrasing, vocal delivery, or subtle accent that comes through in a performance, country music has a way of shaping a singer’s voice over time.
Pardi praised Zach Top for carrying the traditional country sound forward, noting that authenticity isn’t determined by where you’re from but by your connection to the music. Both artists have built their careers by embracing classic country influences, proving that great country music can come from anywhere.
The conversation served as a reminder that country music has never belonged to just one region. While Southern roots remain a major part of the genre’s identity, artists from places like California, Washington, and beyond continue to make their mark on country music’s future.
For Pardi, the formula is pretty straightforward: spend your life listening to, writing, and singing country music, and eventually that country twang starts showing up all on its own.
As far as he’s concerned, you don’t have to be born in the South to sound country—you just have to live the music. 🤠🎶🔥