Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Zakk DeBono. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Zakk, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I don’t know that there was one specific moment when I decided to pursue music professionally because music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started playing bass when I was four years old, and growing up, I was completely immersed in artists like The Beatles, Pink Floyd, The Who, Led Zeppelin, and the Small Faces. Then at age 5 moved to guitar and was playing restaurants and bars.

The moment I realized this was more than a hobby came when I started performing in front of people and saw the impact music could have. I watched complete strangers connect through a song, and I knew that was something I wanted to spend my life doing. What started as a childhood passion turned into a calling.

The journey hasn’t always been easy. I’ve balanced full-time jobs, taught lessons, played churches, volunteered in my community, and spent countless hours building my career from the ground up. There were plenty of moments when it would have been easier to quit, but music has always been the thing that keeps pulling me forward.

Today, whether I’m opening for national touring artists, writing original music, creating content online, or playing for a room full of people, I still feel the same excitement I felt as a kid picking up an instrument for the first time. That’s how I know I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing.

Zakk, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’ve always believed that music is supposed to make people feel something. In a world where everything moves so fast, a great song can still stop someone in their tracks, remind them of a memory, help them through a difficult time, or simply make them smile. That’s what keeps me passionate about what I do.

My work goes far beyond just performing. I write songs, teach students, create content, collaborate with brands I believe in, and spend a lot of time trying to give back to the music community that has given so much to me. Whether I’m playing a show, filming a video, or teaching a lesson, the goal is always the same: create something meaningful and leave people better than I found them.

What sets me apart is perspective. After undergoing heart surgery and being given a 2% chance of survival, I learned very quickly that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. That experience changed the way I approach life, music, and relationships. I stopped worrying so much about what other people thought and started focusing on making the most of every opportunity in front of me.

The thing I’m most proud of isn’t a follower count, a view count, or even the stages I’ve played. It’s the fact that I’ve built a career doing something I genuinely love while staying true to myself. I’ve never tried to chase trends or become someone I’m not. I’ve simply worked hard, stayed consistent, and trusted that the right people would connect with what I create.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about me, it’s that gratitude drives everything I do. Every show, every song, every opportunity, and every person who supports my journey matters to me. None of it is guaranteed, and because of that, I never take any of it for granted.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Absolutely. Looking back, I wish I had understood earlier how much the right tools and resources can influence your development as a musician. When I was younger, I thought success was all about practice, and while hard work is still the most important ingredient, I’ve learned that the instruments and products you choose can have a huge impact on your confidence, creativity, and growth.

One of the biggest examples for me was discovering PRS guitars. I was around 23 or 24 years old and living in California when I bought my first one. The moment I picked it up, something clicked. The craftsmanship, playability, reliability, and tone were on a completely different level than anything I had experienced before. It wasn’t just a guitar—it became a tool that helped me better express myself as a musician.

Looking back, I honestly wish I had found PRS at a younger age because those guitars have played a major role in shaping my sound and identity as an artist. Whether I’m recording in the studio, creating content for social media, teaching lessons, or performing live, they have become an essential part of how I create music.

Beyond guitars, I wish I had learned earlier the value of investing in quality gear, great strings, mentors, and relationships within the music community. Those resources don’t replace talent or hard work, but they can inspire you, accelerate your growth, and help bring out the best version of your playing. That’s something I would absolutely tell my younger self.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I have several goals that I tend to keep to myself, but one of them is becoming an artist with PRS Guitars. I’ve been a believer in their instruments for years, and it’s about much more than the guitars themselves. I have tremendous respect for the people behind the company, Paul’s vision, and the values that PRS represents. It would be an incredible honor to one day be part of a roster that includes some of the greatest musicians in the world. Their instruments have played a major role in shaping my sound, and earning the opportunity to officially represent a company I genuinely admire would be incredibly meaningful to me.

Beyond that, my goals are pretty simple. I want to continue creating great music, sharing it with as many people as possible, and having the opportunity to perform alongside artists I respect and admire. Every time I step on a stage, release a song, or connect with someone through music, I feel like I’m doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing.

I think success means different things to different people. For some, it’s money, recognition, or awards. For me, success is waking up every day and getting to do something I genuinely love while inspiring others to pursue their own passions. If I can continue making music, connecting with people, and encouraging someone else to chase their dreams, then I’ll consider myself successful regardless of where the journey leads.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://zakkdebonoandthebrokencircle.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zakkdebonoofficial?igsh=c2ZuY2loZTJwbThy
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BUu8ZYkur/

Image Credits

David Rossa