About Zac

Zac Watson is an acclaimed musician and educator based in Melbourne, Australia. 

He started his musical journey studying with renowned Australian jazz bassists Nick Hayward and Jonathon Zion. He then immersed himself in Melbourne's lively folk and indie scenes, recording and performing with acts like Thomas Vecera (US) and Splurge. 

After joining the band of acclaimed country and Americana artist Gretta Ziller, Zac quickly built a reputation as a sought-after sideman in Australia's country music scene. Over the past decade, he has toured and performed with notable artists, including three-time CMAA Golden Guitar winner Andrew Swift, ARIA-nominated Taylor Moss, and country legend Bill Chambers. His festival appearances include Tamworth Country Music Festival, Gympie Music Muster, Melbourne International Jazz Festival, and Groundwater Country Music Festival. 

Skilled in both the studio and on stage, Zac has contributed to recordings for a diverse range of artists, including producer Michael Carpenter, Jen Mize (solo), Clint Wilson, and US-based acts Gunslingers and BlackGlass, as an instrumentalist and occasional mastering engineer. 

He also spent five years with Jen Mize & The Rough N’ Tumble, playing bass on their debut album and co-writing two songs for their upcoming album, ‘Tilt’, as well as contributing bass, acoustic guitar, and lap steel performances. Zac and the band received the 2023 QMA award in the Blues/Roots category for their single ‘All Riled Up’. 

Zac currently tours with emerging country artist Sammi Palinkas, a role he was chosen for by legendary producer Rod McCormack. He often acts as a first-call substitute for high-profile, last-minute performances.

In 2024, Zac released three solo instrumental compositions, where he handled all instrumentation, mixing, and mastering. These works, spanning ambient, spaghetti Western, and jazz influences, received national airplay on ABC Radio’s Saturday Night Country and ABC Grassroots, and international features on programs like Across The Horizon and Ambient Country hosted by Bob Holmes. 

Recently, Zac has shifted his focus to education, working with adult learners who want to incorporate guitar and bass into their lives. He manages a busy private teaching practice, helping students nationwide develop solid musical fundamentals and lifelong skills.