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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.
Accolades/Awards:
Best Singer/Songwriter, a 3
time winner of Best Pop Act in the Cleveland
Music Festival, 2 Golden Viking Awards, Best
Singer/Songwriter Nominee in the Free Times
Music Awards 5 times, Best Pop Song (Garageband.com);
over 2,500 Spins on WAPS 91.3 The Summit;
was a finalist in the national Soul City Café
Music Quest; a finalist in the Unisong Song
Contest; receives over 150,000
hits and growing per month on the
website, and over 83,000 views on his
MySpace; named in the TOP
3 Artists spun on WAPS 91.3 The Summit
Radio (6 places above the Beatles); performs
over 200 shows a year nation-wide, had his
song “On Christmas Morning” spun on over
130 radio stations; wrote the jingle/theme
song for the nationally syndicated radio
show “Into the ‘70’s with Tom Kent;”
had music featured in several independent
films and an Extreme Home Makeover
Documentary.
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
"If Zach's intension was capturing
the power of his live show, he succeeds
on 1.19.2007." -- The Cleveland
Plain Dealer
"The
very definition of 'working musician,'
Zach performs more than 200 shows a
year, playing onstage with both classic
and contemporary performers ... Zach
channels smart and sensitive James
Taylor-esque lyrics and melodies,
peppered with the contemporary zing of
Gavin DeGraw or Jason Mraz. His
spunky live shows are mostly Zach
originals, and his goose-bump-inducing
cover of john Lennon's 'Imagine' is
worth the price of
admission." -- Bill Gruber,
Program Manager, 91.3 WAPS The Summit
“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
"We
did that kids show, which was great. He
was great! He was dancing on the stage.
The kids were loving him! He was very
animated. I really enjoyed having him on
that show. And his album is great -- in
the groove!" -- Johnny Ciao,
legendary Culinary Rocker and chef of
the stars
"I love his voice." -- Brett
Dennen
“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. |
