Submitted photo. Midwestern country artist Zach Thomas grew up in Wendell, Minnesota (population 165), so he’s no stranger to country town life.
KENMARE – Midwest country music artist and former American Idol contestant Zac Thomas will perform at Kenmare’s Pioneer Village on Sunday, July 14, during Kenmare’s Pioneer Day celebrations.
The 30-year-old Thomas began playing guitar and writing songs while dealing with his mental health issues while attending North Dakota State University. He said he spent more time learning how to play guitar in his dorm room than in classes.
“When I was attending NDSU, I struggled with depression, which was one of the main reasons I stayed cooped up in my dorm room all that time.” Thomas said.
Music was always a staple for Thomas during his worst moments of depression.
“Music was my comfort zone. It got me out of tough situations.” He said.
The song is, “The devil doesn’t want to back down.” The song was an inspiration for Thomas while he was attending North Dakota State University, and the lyrics address his feelings of depression.
“It’s about the voices and the demons that we all face. They all come at you and you ask for help.” Thomas said. “The heart is a beautiful thing, but it can also be very harsh at times.”
Thomas said many of the songs he’s currently releasing are breakup songs.
“I always joke that listening to sad songs makes me happy.” Thomas said some of the breakup songs are based on past relationships, and some sound like breakup songs but are about mental health.
After spending a year at North Dakota State University, Thomas discovered American Idol and competed in season 14 of the popular singing competition. He competed on the show for a second time in season 16. Thomas made it into the American Idol Top 100 both times he appeared on the show.
“It was a really positive experience. It was my first introduction to the music industry so it was like a big crash course for me. I learned a lot and made a lot of really good connections.” Thomas said.
Since American Idol, Thomas has continued to perform across the Midwest and began releasing original songs in 2022. Thomas previously performed solo acoustic style cover shows, but now also performs full band shows, incorporating his own songs in addition to covers.
“It’s a great opportunity to be a part of the Pioneer Day show,” Thomas said of the show. “I’ll be playing the first set on acoustic guitar. It’ll be fun because I’ll be playing some original songs that haven’t been released yet.” Thomas will then perform a second set with his band.
Thomas said he loves playing cover songs from bands that embody the red-dirt Texas country music sound.
“We’ve got Coe Wetzel on there. We’ve got Corey Kent on there. So it’s kind of the country stuff that’s popular on the radio right now, with a little bit of rock thrown in.” He said.
Thomas said Pioneer Day attendees can expect a few surprises at his performance as well.
In 2023, Thomas was nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year by the Midwest Country Music Organization.
Thomas said she was both pleased and surprised by the recognition, and attended and performed at the awards ceremony at the Roof Garden Ballroom in Okoboji, Iowa. “It’s pretty special.”
Thomas is an independent music artist and wants to remain that way.
“I want to preserve as much of what I have and what I’ve built before I get a label involved.” Thomas also enjoys the freedom of being independent, being able to decide what direction he wants to go in creatively.
Thomas has a multi-state tour planned and will return to Nashville to record a five-song EP in the studio.
“There are a lot of sad songs that need to be put out into the world.” Thomas hopes to record an EP by the end of the year.
Pioneer Day will be Thomas’ first time performing in Kenmare, but not his first time performing in North Dakota, having previously performed in Killdeer, Mandan, Devils Lake and Grand Forks. Thomas lives in Fargo.
“There’s a strong music scene here. Everyone is so supportive of each other and it’s great to see them trying to help each other grow.” He said.
