Zach Linley and the Rebel Daredevils Definitely Have ‘What it Takes’

With the recent release of their sophomore EP What it Takes, country rockers Zach Linley and the Rebel Daredevils make a statement about the future of country music.  If you like hard-driving country rock like Montgomery Gentry, Luke Bryant or Jason Aldean, then Zach Linley and the Rebel Daredevils will definitely appeal to you.

The EP was produced by Erik Nelson, owner of Eclipse Studios in Normal, Illinois, who has written, produced or engineered for everyone from Jason Derulo and Boyz II Men to R. Kelly, O-Town and Ralph Tresvant.

From the first hard driving notes of “Cold Dead Hands” to the last riff of “Sick and Tired,” Linley and his crew deliver some of the best country sound heard by this reviewer in many a year.  Their first single, “What it Takes,” was released on July 28 and is a powerful testament to the work ethic of the classic American working family man.  “It’s my way of paying homage to the blue collar backbone of America, those guys who get up day after day, go to work and even if they never earn what they’re worth, they do it anyway to support their families and pay their bills,” says Linley

 “What it Takes” could be the song that launches a national career for Linley.  It is the kind of trademark classic tune that epitomizes the musical style and voice of its artist, and sets the tone for potential future greatness.  This song belongs on country radio now, and could very well do for Linley what “Amarillo Skies” did for Jason Aldean.  According to Linley, “‘What It Takes’ is a strong push from me and The Rebel Daredevils as to where we would like to see country music headed right now,” says Linley.  These songs are about real people, real struggles, and remembering where you came from and what you stand for.

Launching his career as a straightforward rock and roller, Linley has taken a unique route, both musically and geographically, to discovering his innermost truth as a singer and songwriter and embracing what Willie Nelson once said was the heart of a country song: “three chords and the truth.

After a few years honing his songwriting craft, Linley joined forces with previous band mate Jason Beck as well as new found friend Chad Sherman and started the unit that evolved into Zach Linley & The Rebel Daredevils (electric guitarist Jason Beck, lead guitarist Nate Van Vleet, bassist Chad Sherman and drummer Brandon Frederking). They hit the ground running, opening in 2013 for former American Idol contestant and country artist Casey James at The Castle Theater in Bloomington, Illinois.  Since then, they have never looked back, opening for an array of top country artists including Frankie Ballard, Josh Thompson, Keith Anderson, David Allan Coe, Gary Allan, Jana Kramer, Jamey Johnson and Chris Cagle while earning high praise from the likes of Nyhl Henson, co-founder and former CEO of CMT (Country Music Television), who called Linley “the Garth Brooks of the New Millennium…(whose) songwriting is phenomenal and far ahead of the game.

This reviewer believes that Linley is sure to become a household name like Zach Brown, Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean and one of the future leaders in country music.

For more information on Linley, check out his website and Facebook and follow him on Twitter.  The album is currently available on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/what-it-takes-ep/id1030884611).