ZACH SWEENEY, "Age Gracefully"

distracted decades in the making, Zach Sweeney’s debut single, the wryly sung, retro-flavored mid-tempo pop-rocker “Age Gracefully,” should inspire anyone who has set aside their creative ambitions for too long. The Texas born and bred, multi-faceted singer/songwriter is living proof that when you’ve got the gift inside you, when melodies and storytelling are there in your mind the whole time, something’s gotta give. An opportunity’s gonna come along that allows you to share your truest soul, your most dynamic, insightful and even amusing songs, with the world. Even if, like Zach, you’ve been successful at everything you’ve done pursuing the straight road.

In his case, and we should be most grateful for this, those accomplishments include two distinguished stints in the military (totaling 11 years) leading combat missions, training pilots and showing valor and heroism, along the way receiving countless medals, awards and distinguished service commendations. In between his first stint in Okinawa, Japan (1988-92) and Langley AFB and Bad Kreuznach, Germany (1996-2003) and after he retired from the service, he ran Sweeney Enterprises, a successful, multi-faceted feeder manufacturer that his parents John and Doris launched in the late 60s. Zach also raised three amazing children - Quinlan, Aidan and Emiko, all now in their 20s.

Through all that, and all those years, the music never left him, Zach started classical piano lessons at six and later took classical guitar lessons before playing trumpet in the school band in middle school. But it was his older sister’s giving him a copy of The Beatles Sgt. Pepper that hooked him on rock and roll, a passion that later included love for the piano men, Elton John and Billy Joel, Rolling Stones, Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin. As a young adult, one of his favorite bands was nu metal legends Korn.

Like the “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” bar scene in Top Gun, during his service, if there was a piano at a club he was hanging out at, he led singalongs of Elton, Billy, The Beatles, whoever. A commander got wind of his talent and hired him to play at Christmas parties. He also played at friends’ weddings over the years. “My life was great in so many ways,” Zach says, “but it always felt like I had unfinished business.”

Cleverly acknowledging the passage of time while also emphatically defying the onset and realities of physical, shall we say, maturity, “Aging Gracefully” is a song Zach could only have written at this phase of his life – and one which so many of his generation will both relate to and embrace as they see if the “mind over matter” aesthetic works for them as well. His goals are to both document the fruits of his creative expression and release them to the world, with the hopes they can connect with a world of fans who may be also inspired by his personal story as they vibe to his unique lyrical narratives and a hybrid style that draws from classic rock, alternative rock and prog rock.

“At this age now,” the singer says, “I have a big bucket full of memories and life experiences to draw from in my songwriting. I tend to be a little philosophical sometimes, so the best way to approach lyrics for me is to make people think a little bit while also remembering it’s okay to be silly sometimes.”

Testament to Zach’s quick rising notoriety as an indie artist, “Age Gracefully” and all the other tracks he’s working on are produced by Danny Jones, a true behind the scenes legend who in his fascinating career behind the boards has recorded greats like Etta James, Patti Labelle, Ramsey Lewis, The Meters, Dr. John, The Staples Singers, The Neville Brothers and The Beach Boys.

Driven by his raw, edgy lead vocals, a funky rock groove by Jones on drums and Dan Smith on bass, the feisty lead guitar of Zach’s son Aiden Sweeney and the coolest of the cool old school keyboard vibes, “Age Gracefully” is pure infectious fun with a timeless message. Even if his wife says she should just spend his later middle age chillin’ out, he’s got too much to do: “We know that’s just not me/I’d rather put my body to it/If I don’t I just might lose it/If you fall down, get back up.” That last line gets an “oh yeah” affirmation from backing vocalist Rene Jones.

Then over a dazzling, swirling keyboard riff right out of a 70s jazz/rock/fusion dream, he repeats, “Don’t wanna age gracefully.” After an extended buoyant guitar solo by Aiden, Zach eases naturally into talk/sing mode, imparting this nugget of hard won wisdom: “Listen up/It’s been said, You stop movin’ when you get old/But let me tell you, instead, you get old because you don’t go/That’s the way it is…” and then he laughs because he knows it’s truth! On the second chorus, he adds, “I’m gonna put my body to it/If I don’t I’m gonna lose it…”

“My goal was just not to do anything too sappy,” Zach laughs. “The idea of ‘Age Gracefully’ was affecting me in the way I thought about my day-to-day life. I’m getting older but I don’t like slowing down and don’t really have any interest in aging gracefully, which is what my wife told me I need to do. I’m still trying to do all these things I did when I was younger. I’m still hanging out and partying with my kids, which I started doing when they were out of high school until recently. I still go skiing every year and I’m going again very soon. I still ride motorcycles, and overall just act too much like a little kid.

“Some of the lyrics tap into my philosophical side,” he adds. “The doctors just want to throw pills at you to keep you going, but I have been inspired by listening to guys on Joe Rogan’s show that talk about being a certain age and still pushing it to the limit and doing hard stuff every day. Pills don’t make you better. I believe being active is what makes you feel good and is the key to extending your life.”