Zach Person’s journey into music
Zach Person, Houston musician and former “American Idol” contestant, made time for an interview recently in anticipation of his show at University of Houston – Clear Lake on Sept. 30.
Person’s style reflects his interests as a child and the places he grew up. Elements of blues, southern rock, motown and classic rock can be heard among his tracks. His personal style on guitar is reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix and Dave Navarro, while his voice is harder to place. Zach Person sounds like Zach Person when he sings and plays, and there’s something to be said about talent so young to sound like themselves.
Person’s journey into music, from childhood to the edge of celebrity, has been driven and focused. His mom showed him music when he was young, mainly motown and blues. When Person was around 9-years-old, he remembers going skateboarding and discovered rock music. He received a guitar shortly after, and his mom, a local performer in North Carolina, gave him homework: Three Doors Down, Jonny Lang, Joe Bonamassa and Carlos Santana.
When he was 10-years-old, Person began receiving guitar lessons from Baxter Clement in Southern Pines, NC. Three years later he and his family moved to Houston where he started gigging with the band Project-X. Eventually, his solo career was born and he continued playing venues solo up until his graduation in May of 2015.
“Somewhere in the middle of the summer I saw ‘American Idol’ while living at my grandma’s house and thought, ‘I could do that, I could do at least as good as those guys,’” Person said.
Person auditioned online and flew out to California that August.
Person put his school on hold to pursue “American Idol,” but he did not put his music career on hold. He continued to tour and play shows, utilizing the publicity to gain experience and “independence.”
After the buzz from American Idol settled down, Person decided to take on more responsibility with his music career. Life after American Idol, and the time he spent on the road and on his own, changed his perspective.
“Even though I’ve been doing music for a long time, it feels like I’ve just started. People say, ‘You’re only 19! You’ve got your whole life ahead of you!’ But I felt like I needed to be out supporting myself, taking responsibility,” Person said.
Person said the hardest part about being young and a touring musician is trying to find balance between his life as a touring musician and his life at home. Person focuses on family to keep himself grounded.
“A whole week might go by that I don’t talk to my mom! It’s ridiculous. The other thing is to be patient and enjoy the ride. Success is a journey, not a destination,” Person said.
Zach Person is a rarity for his age. For as many musicians as I’ve met and spoken to, few seem as driven as he is. Even fewer have the experience to show for it in their sound and schedule.
Person recently released an album titled “Working on Tomorrow.” He’s also working on another EP, and is hoping to land a spot on the lineup for SXSW. In the meantime, he’s continuing to book gigs around and outside of Houston. He is currently competing in the International Blues Challenge, where he will soon be on his way to the finals in Memphis, TN.
Zach Person is playing a show at the University of Houston – Clear Lake Bayou Theater Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. He will also be performing at the Kemah Boardwalk with his full band Oct. 1 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. When not playing shows, you can find him long-boarding with friends downtown in dark sunglasses, more than likely with a guitar not too far away.
My personal favorite songs: Other Side of the Highway; Give Yourself (To Me); Make a Change
