In a world where image often overshadows authenticity, Mitch Zorn is a rare breed — a hardworking guy with a guitar and a story to tell. Zorn isn’t an ‘in your face’ kind of fella; more often, he prefers to let his lyrics do the talking.
Raised in Nakusp, a picturesque town nestled in the West Kootenays, Zorn grew up on gravel roads, mountain air, and country music. His roots run deep — the kind of roots that don’t just influence his music, they define it.
“I’ve been playing music since I was seven years old, with my dad’s band. Music has always been a big part of family life.”
Zorn’s road to the stage and spotlight took a lengthy detour through Texas, where long days on the rigs carved out a deep well of grit and character. It was there that his voice found its niche — Texas flavour with a Canadian twist. This formula is fully apparent in Zorn’s award-winning single, ‘Home’.
“I’d write lyrics when I wasn’t on shift. It was always about what I knew — hard work, love that doesn’t quite work out, and trying to do the right thing even when it’s tough.”
That honesty is what makes Zorn stand out in a crowded country music scene. While others might chase radio-friendly formulas, he leans into the sad songs, the slow burners, the melodies that sit with you long after the last chord fades.
“Sad songs hit different,” Zorn explains. “They’re what got me through hard times, missing home and family. Some people might find them depressing, but for me, they’re a kind of therapy and I think a lot of folks out there feel the same.”
‘Home’ picked up Video of the Year at the 2025 BC Country Music Association Awards. Filmed in his hometown of Nakusp, Zorn included long-time girlfriend, Audrey.
“‘Home’ will always hold a special place for us, something to hopefully show the grandkids one day,” he says with a laugh.
Zorn is aware that being himself isn’t always an easy sell.
“In this business, they typically want a brand. A package. That’s not so easy for me,” he says. “I work hard on social media because that’s where most fans find you these days but I struggle with it because I just see myself as a guy with a guitar and some stories that need telling.”
That commitment to staying true to himself is starting to pay off though. Just recently, with an hour’s notice, Zorn got the call to open for the legendary Nitty Gritty Dirt Band at their Kelowna arena show.
“I was sitting at home on the couch, just ordered food with my girlfriend. I got a call from a number I didn’t know and they told me the opener was sick and they needed someone to play in an hour!”
The crowd loved him. His set was stripped-down, authentic, and full of emotion. It wasn’t flashy — it was real and it resonated with the audience.
“It felt so full circle, I was in awe the whole time. Honestly, I think I blacked out. It’s something I have worked for and dreamed of for so long. I’m definitely still on a high.”
“Winning that was surreal. I didn’t have a suit so I borrowed clothes from my girlfriend’s dad and step dad,” he laughs, “I did buy myself a fresh Stetson though.”
That humility is part of the charm. While Nashville churns out stars by the dozen, Mitch Zorn is the kind of artist who builds a fanbase one show at a time.
“I love playing local venues in BC. Fans that make the drive wherever it may be, I hope they know how much it means to me to see their faces in the crowd.”
With his latest release ‘Think of Me’ in radio rotation now, an EP set for release later this summer, and a full slate of festival dates across the country, Zorn is stepping into the next chapter of his journey. But he’s doing it his way — no gimmicks, no glitz, just guts and good songs.
“There’s a lot of noise out there,” he says. “But I think and hope there will always be room for real.”
And maybe — just maybe — ‘real’ is exactly what country music needs right now. Forget the polish and packaging; let’s make it about a voice, like Mitch Zorn’s, that feels like home.
Follow Mitch Zorn on Instagram @mitchzorn for upcoming dates and releases.