In early 2024, a former pop-punk drummer from Central New York joined a country artist’s backing band. Two years later, he’s a part of Grammys history.
Country singer Zach Top won the first-ever Grammy Award for Best Traditional Country Album with “Ain’t In It for My Health” during Sunday’s pre-telecast ceremony. It’s a new category this year after “Best Country Album” was changed to Best Contemporary Country Album, in part due to recent controversies over past nominees like Post Malone and Beyoncé competing with more traditional country artists.
Top, whose touring band includes 2007 West Genesee High School graduate Nate Felty on drums, beat out fellow 2026 nominees Charley Crockett (“Dollar A Day”), Lukas Nelson (“American Romance”), Willie Nelson (“Oh What a Beautiful World”) and Margo Price (“Hard Headed Woman”). It’s Top’s first-ever Grammy Award…