Zach DuBois is a firm believer that everything “Happens for a Reason.” The title track from the country music singer/songwriter’s debut EP, “Happens for a Reason – EP, ” explains how disappointments and heartbreak in his own life have acted as blessings in disguise, leading him to discover his life’s passion – music.

Entering into his senior year of high school, DuBois was poised to become the starting quarterback of his high school football team, the defending 2A state champions in the state of Indiana; however, as his baseball season ended his junior year, DuBois began experiencing severe back pain. After seeing a specialist, DuBois discovered that he had suffered a stress fracture in one of the vertebra in his lower back. While the injury was a setback, DuBois was eventually able to regain his starting spot, with the wearing a bulky back brace. The week before two-a-day practices, however, another health complication arose. After complaining of constant fatigue and a nagging sore throat, DuBois discovered that he had mononucleosis (commonly referred to as mono) and would be forced to sit out for a large portion of the season.

It was during this trying time that DuBois made a decision that would forever change the course of his life. While watching GAC one day (forced to stay at home during a two-a-day football practice, ironically enough) DuBois saw the video for Dierks Bentley’s, “Settle for a Slowdown.” At one point in the video, Bentley plays a portion of the song acoustically, and it was this part of the video which inspired DuBois to dig out his dad’s old guitar and begin to teach himself how to play. He hasn’t stopped playing since.

As a songwriter, DuBois finds inspiration in his modest, small-town up-bringing. Born and raised outside of Elkhart, Indiana on a family farm, DuBois grew up in a house located on the opposite end of a cornfield from his grandparents. He credits his tight-knit family and the strong faith and values instilled in him as essential cornerstones to the foundation of his music and his life.