Biography

While George Jones was the first to put Beaumont, TX on the country music map, Zona is the latest in a long line of sterling singers who have graduated from regional stardom to national prominence. Walking in George’s footsteps, Zona has performed in exactly the same clubs that also launched the careers of his good friends, Mark Chesnutt, Tracy Byrd and Clay Walker.

Raised on a ranch and the son of a rodeo cowboy/rancher, Zona comes by his name and the music he makes honestly. “My dad was a rodeo cowboy. He competed in college and professionally for a number of years.” Zona’s name is a show of his father’s devotion to the rodeo circuit, “My dad missed the rodeo in Phoenix/Scottsdale the year I was born. Because my dad missed the rodeo there, he and my mom decided to name me ‘Zona’, short for “Arizona.”

Growing up, there were several influences that guided Zona: living on a working cattle ranch, his grandmother’s love of music and his parents’ value of education. The combination of these led Zona to the place that sparked his musical career. After working as a child after school and during the summers on the ranch for his dad, Zona decided education was the ticket to getting a job somewhere where there was air-conditioning. Zona received his undergraduate degree from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. He went on to earn a law degree which, in turn, landed him a job at a prestigious firm in Beaumont, Texas. It was there, much to his surprise, Zona found a booming musical community.

Zona soon began to make friends and form close relationships with other artists/musicians from the area including the likes of Byrd and Chesnutt. “Watching Mark and Tracy both develop as artists and country music stars, I decided to follow my childhood dream of wanting to sing.” After forming the band SwingWest, Zona began hitting the Texas club and dance hall circuit. While touring and growing his regional popularity, Zona recorded the album, Harley’s & Horses. The CD spawned three top-five singles on the Texas Music Chart along with the album’s most popular single and radio hit, “Two Hearts”. This was Zona’s first real national exposure.
Along with radio success, “Two Hearts” garnered Zona a unique performance opportunity as he made a guest appearance, and performed the hit single on an episode of “The Simple Life 2 – Interns” with Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie.
Over the years, Zona has developed loyal fans and friends who have supported him throughout his career. Zona’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. Most recently Zona signed with Tracy Lawrence's Rocky Comfort Records. Zona is ready to expand his already developed fan base and spread his brand of music across the country.
“Tracy and I have been friends for several years, and I have been a huge fan of his music since the Sticks & Stones days” stated Zona. “Working with him to create the best music ‘we’ can is going to be so cool. I am so pleased to join Rocky Comfort Records.”
Zona has just completed his new album Prove Me Right and his first single “You Should’ve Seen Her This Morning” will be heating up radio this summer. With his growing fan base and proven track record, Zona can rest easy knowing Rocky Comfort Records and his own Texas Legacy will propel him to new heights.