A former Viper can now add country music champion to his CV. 

Zach McPhee, who traded his sticks for a mic and guitar, was crowned winner of SiriusXM's 2024 Top of the Country Competition on Wednesday, Sept. 11. 

McPhee beat out two other finalists, as his win was announced during Canadian Country Music Week, which was a part of the Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMA). The 31-year-old was named a semifinalist back in March, and was then whisked off to Vancouver to perform a studio session audition. He then produced a professionally-made song, and was voted in by the fans as one of three finalists, along with Montreal's Trudy and Calgary's Robert Adam.

The three finalists performed live at the CCMA's music week in Edmonton, and at the LASSO Montreal music festival in late August.

With the win, McPhee will receive $25,000 and a spot at the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) songwriting camp.

鈥淭his journey has been absolutely unbelievable, and I鈥檓 so grateful to everyone who supported me along the way,鈥� said McPhee after being crowned winner. 鈥淲inning the competition is a dream come true, and I鈥檓 thrilled to be able to share my music with more fans across the country."

McPhee released his debut single, Bring On, last year and has since put out a seven song album, Feels Country to Me. He has close to 30,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and has totalled six million streams across all platforms.