Featuring a mix of gritty backwoods soul, rock ‘n’ roll swagger and velvet-thunder vocals, Sony Music Nashville recording artist Nate Smith’s star has continued to rise on the heels of his multi-week No. 1 hit “Whiskey On You” – celebrated by Stereogum as “an enormously satisfying country kiss-off anthem” – and the release of his self-titled debut album earlier this year.
His ability to translate his personal journey scarred by disaster into relatable lyrics that provide comfort to fans instantly captivated The Neal Agency’s (TNA) Adi Sharma and Evan Kantor. After one meeting with Smith, it became clear to Sharma and Kantor that he was the perfect addition to their growing roster.
“We are honored to add Nate to The Neal Agency family. He is a rare talent and is one of those artists it only takes one time to meet and listen to until you immediately fall in love,” share agents Sharma and Kantor. “We could not be more excited to see what the future holds for Nate!”
Smith adds, “I couldn’t be more excited to be teaming up with the best agents in the game. They have a real plan for me, and it’s gonna absolutely change my life and career. The Neal Agency is family, and the craziest part is that we’ve already worked together earlier on, so this is a real full circle moment for all of us! I’m grateful, and extremely lucky to have the best of the best in live entertainment!”
In addition to TNA, Smith is represented by The Core Entertainment for artist management. The Core Entertainment’s Simon Tikhman and Chief Zaruk shared their enthusiasm in Smith’s growing team. “We are excited to work with Adi and the Neal Agency. What the Neal Agency has built in such a short time is a testament to their hard work and dedication to their artists. The future is very bright for their partnership with Nate Smith.”
Smith’s journey to Music City began with loss in 2018, when all of his belongings were destroyed in the devastating Camp Fire which tore through Paradise, California. Although his family was safe, he struggled to cope and turned back to music for comfort, using a loaned guitar to co-write a song called “One of These Days.” Caught between bittersweet nostalgia and his rock-solid belief the community would rebuild, the song embodied everything Smith was feeling – and everything he loved about music.
After returning to Nashville, the singer-songwriter began unveiling a new round of music which puts that inspirational mission front-and-center – and features an edgy-organic sound unlike anything else in the format.
As his current single “World On Fire” remains in the top 40 and climbing on country radio, Smith has embarked on Thomas Rhett’s Home Team Tour ‘23 and will support Cole Swindell on select dates of his Twelve Tour this fall. Having previously opened for Morgan Wallen at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium last April, Smith will once again support Wallen on Nov. 16, 2023 at The Moody Center in Austin, TX.
In addition to Smith, TNA’s roster proudly represents Palmer Anthony, Cameron Sacky Band, Aidan Canfield, Ashland Craft, ERNEST, Riley Green, HARDY, Ella Langley, mike., John Morgan, Chase Rice, Josh Ross, Seaforth, Morgan Wallen, Lauren Watkins, Anne Wilson, Jake Worthington and Bailey Zimmerman, along with lifestyle brands Stevenson Ranch and Whiskey Jam.
Nate Smith | Photo Credit: Matthew Berinato
About Nate Smith:
Featuring a mix of gritty backwoods soul, rock ‘n’ roll swagger and velvet-thunder vocals, Nate Smith’s personal journey inspired him to be a beacon of country-music hope, an inspirational mission he puts front-and-center. A California native, former worship leader, and lifelong music lover, Smith approaches that mission with a background as eclectic as it gets. Learning guitar at 13, Garth Brooks, Elvis Presley and Bob Seger were among those informing his powerful, fire-from-within vocals, while Michael Jackson made him crave the spotlight and Nirvana gave his sound a jagged edge. In 2018, Smith lost everything he owned in the devastating Camp Fire which tore through Paradise, California, now known as the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in the state’s history. Although his family was safe, he struggled to cope and turned back to music, hoping that it would help comfort himself and others. Help it did, inspiring a month-long road trip across the U.S. to Music City, writing music and playing dive bars along the way.
Since making it to Nashville, the singer’s “powerhouse tenor” has become “perhaps country music’s fastest-rising beloved voice” (The Tennessean). He’s made a huge splash with songs such as his Platinum-certified multi-week No. 1 hit “Whiskey On You,” which was lauded as the “breakup song of the summer” by Country Now and “an enormously satisfying country kiss-off anthem” by Stereogum. “Whiskey On You” amassed over 7.5 million total global on-demand streams in its first week, reaching No. 10 on the Country On-Demand Streaming Chart. The smash hit has racked up over 320 million total global on-demand streams to date. Nate released his debut, self-titled album along with the deluxe version on April 28. The hefty 26-song project hit #6 on Billboard’s Country album charts and #30 on the Billboard Top 200. His latest single off the album, “World On Fire,” is impacting country radio now. The CMT Awards and ACM Awards nominee is currently on tour with Thomas Rhett and will hit the road with Cole Swindell this fall. Nate is managed by Kevin “Chief” Zaruk and Simon Tikhman with The Core Entertainment.