RODEO: Friday night fun

Country music artist Tim Zach never imagined he would one day be sharing the stage with the greatest musicians in the industry. A Wisconsin native, Zach went to college to study policing science with the aspiration to become a police officer. However, he soon realized law enforcement was not for him so he made the move to retail sales. He worked in retail for another decade and didn't get his break until he was in his 30s, when he was named the "Best New Country Act in Nebraska."

Years later, Zach can't imagine a better career.

In an interview earlier this month, Zach said he never dreamed of being a singer. After moving from law enforcement to sales, he worked for a wireless company in Wisconsin. He soon transferred to Kearney, where his life changed. A group of friends convinced the singer to go to a local bar known for karaoke. After weeks of listening to others, he decided on a whim to take his turn.

"The bar owner heard me singing and convinced me to host karaoke one night a week at the Upper Deck in Grand Island. I wasn't really sure because I was nervous about my singing, but I just decided to do it. Soon it became the Tim Zach show and people started coming just to hear me sing karaoke," Zach said.

He began signing more, letting his voice open up to others. After winning a country music showdown and being named the best country act in Nebraska, Zach was invited on tours by the brightest and the best in the industry. For a decade he toured with the band, Whiskey Bent, and had the opportunity to learn from the top names in the country.

Despite his fame blooming, the people are what kept Zach going.

"Growing up in a small town, the people are everything. The small town connections are what country music is about. We write about the local people in those communities. Their support is what makes the industry better," he said.

When asked what advice he learned from touring with large names such as Sawyer Brown, Jake Owen and Jimmie Allen, Zach stated being grounded is the most important thing to an artist.

"There are some bad and good people in the industry. It's so important to stay grounded and don't let the industry conform to you. They will try and tell you what to wear and who to be, but you can't lose sight of yourself. Also, treat everyone with respect. Don't be rude to the small people who help you along your journey. The grocery store clerks, workers and managers are all just as important as music executives. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and kindness," he said.

Zach has released multiple songs, one with a very meaningful message. "Like Him" is a song dedicated to his grandfather, who passed away on D-Day.

"Every single show you will see me wear two necklaces and you'll never see me without them. One is my grandfather's dog tags from his time in WWII. Although he is not around anymore, I will always have a piece of him with me and he is an inspiration for me. The other is a cross necklace for my father with some of his ashes in it. He is no longer on this Earth but I know that he has the best seat of all to watch me perform each and every time," he said.

The singer's father also played a large part of the reason Zach was exposed to the industry. His father would drive with him in rural Wisconsin and make him listen to classic country music artists. Although he never dreamed of becoming a singer, like every young child, he would joke around and pretend to be one.

"One time, me and a couple of friends formed a mini band and we would play on our Little Tikes drums and guitars and pretend to be rockstars."

Never did the young rockstar think that he would one day get to meet Lynyfrd Skynyrd and have a chance to be with one of his idols.

Although not a Nebraska native, the singer has lived in the state for a number of years and is familiar with Clearwater's Big Rodeo.

"I went on a field trip with my son to Kearney State Park and we actually met a fur trader from the Clearwater area. He was talking all about the Clearwater Rodeo and how great it was. I told him I was going to be singing Friday night and he was even more excited. It's just great seeing the community and how the rodeo really brings together everyone across nebraska."

Don't miss Tim Zach at Clearwater's Big Rodeo, Friday, June 28, on Main Street in Clearwater. He'll begin playing after rodeo action.