Shinedown's Zach Myers, Memphis' latest gift to music

Shinedown's Zach Myers is Memphis' latest gift to the world of music. Memphis has been part of the national music scene for almost a century. Beginning when William Christopher “W.C.” Handy wrote a campaign song for E.H. “Boss” Crump and in 1912 changed a few lyrics and published “Memphis Blues", the first Blues song ever published in America.

Since that time Memphis has become known as the “Home of the Blues, Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll” and for a good reason. From people like Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, B.B. King, Otis Redding, Roy Orbison, Al Green, The Gentrys, the Boxtops, Justin Timberlake, etc Memphis music continues to make history with the next generation of Memphis musicians.

One of the best is Zach Myers, who started playing Beale Street at the tender age of 14. By 15 he was opening for Max Weinberg (of Late Night with Conan O’Brien and Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band) at B.B. King’s in New York playing the blues. He is now the lead vocalist and guitarist for Fairwell, a group he founded. But Zach’s main claim to fame now is he is the lead guitarist with Shinedown who recently played here at the DeSoto Civic Center.

"Zach is one of our local heroes, he has worked hard to get to the top and he always gives back to the community” said Vikki Hein of the Noise Factory Recording Studio. “Zach has never forgotten where he came from, he has earned respect and he deserves it." Zach’s band Fairwell had a charity show at the Hard Rock for the children and widows of the fallen policeman officers recently gunned down in West Memphis.

Zach’s relationship with Shinedown developed slowly and demonstrated not only his determination but also his professionalism. He began with them as a touring rhythm guitarist in 2005, then became temporary bassist when Brad Stewart left in 2007. The next year when Nick Perri left Zach became their lead guitarist. “I’d like to thank Nick for touring with us over the past year and I wish Nick the best in his future endeavors. That being said, I’m pleased Zach is taking over Nick’s role in the group. Zach is one of the most phenomenal guitarists I know.” That is how Shinedown founder and vocalist Brent Smith made the announcement on the band’s website.

“I've always said that I'm not surprised by Zach's success. He is the epitome of Paying Your Dues” pointed out Chris Jarman of 98.1 the Max. “I doubt there's a venue - from 'hole-in-the-walls' to Beale Street to huge stadiums - in Memphis that he hasn't played. Now he’s Shinedown’s lead guitarist and featured in Guitar Magazines, it just proves what perseverance in this town do for you.”

Not only is Myers a great musician, he also has great business sense. He is not afraid of hard work or success. In addition to being in two successful bands, he also runs his own artist management company, Cursed Management Group. His first (and only) client is also a rock band from Memphis called Sore Eyes. Zach had seen them around town playing in clubs and was impressed with them. He asked Sore Eyes to open for Shinedown at a few sold out shows they were doing at the Machine Shop in Flint, Michigan in December 2008. What he really wanted to know was if they could handle playing for a crowd that large. They were not intimidated so Myers told the band that he would like to get involved on the management end with them.

Zach is also working with a company in Memphis called TATCo (The Artist Tattoo Company). TATCo makes T-shirts and other clothing based on rock stars tattoos. Fitz Dearmore, Chief Operating Officer of TATCo had nothing but praise for Myers. “Zach Myers isn’t just a client, he is a very personable guy, he has been to my home to help craft the product” Dearmore said. “He is much more than just a rock star with a manufacturing contract.”

Zach donated his outfit from the Carnival of Madness tour to the Stage Stop in Raleigh and raised over $800 for MDA.

Zach Myers makes a great role model for kids. He demonstrates what can be achieved by talent and hard work. It is important to him that the kids just getting into music can see what he has done by staying away from drugs, being true to yourself and giving back to the community.

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