JASON ALDEAN ANNOUNCES ‘FULL THROTTLE TOUR’ 2025 POWERED BY PATRIOT MOBILE

January 21, 2025

ACM Artist of the Decade and 3X Entertainer of the Year Country powerhouse Jason Aldean today announces he will hit the road on his Full Throttle Tour 2025 Powered by Patriot Mobile, featuring special guests Nate Smith, RaeLynn, and Dee Jay Silver.

Produced by Live Nation, the tour kicks off at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, on May 23 and will travel North America, with stops including Toronto’s Budweiser Stage, Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, Denver’s Ball Arena, Grand Rapid’s Van Andel Arena, Des Moines’ Wells Fargo Arena, Charleston’s Credit One Stadium and more before wrapping up in West Palm Beach at iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre on October 4th.

As previously announced, Aldean is also set to co-headline the iconic Fenway Park in Boston, MA on May 30th with Brooks & Dunn. Patriot Mobile serves as the official sponsor of the tour.

Tickets will be available starting with artist presale beginning Wednesday, January 22nd. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the first general on sale beginning Friday, January 24th at 10am local time. Presale and on sale dates vary by market; see full routing below and check local listings at JasonAldean.com for more information.

For a full list of VIP packages and next level fan concert experiences including premium tickets, VIP Lounge access and a pre-show acoustic performance and Q&A with Jason Aldean, visit vipnation.com.

FULL THROTTLE TOUR 2025 DATES:

Fri May 23 — Cuyahoga Falls, OH — Blossom Music Center&

Sat May 24 — Toronto, ON — Budweiser Stage&

Sun May 25 — Saratoga Springs, NY — Broadview Stage at SPAC&

Fri May 30 — Boston, MA — Fenway Park#%

Thu Jul 17 — Tulsa, OK — BOK Center&

Fri Jul 18 — Rogers, AR — Walmart AMP&

Sat Jul 19 — St. Louis, MO — Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre^

Thu Jul 24 — Albuquerque, NM — Isleta Amphitheater&

Fri Jul 25 — Denver, CO — Ball Arena^

Sat Jul 26 — Salt Lake City, UT — Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre^

Thu Aug 07 — Nashville, TN — Bridgestone Arena&

Fri Aug 08 — Noblesville, IN — Ruoff Music Center^

Sat Aug 09 — Pittsburgh, PA — The Pavilion at Star Lake&

Thu Aug 14 — Dallas, TX — Dos Equis Pavilion&

Fri Aug 15 — Houston, TX — The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman@

Sat Aug 16 — Austin, TX — Moody Center^

Thu Aug 21 — Raleigh, NC — Coastal Credit Union Music Park^

Fri Aug 22 — Charlotte, NC — PNC Music Pavilion^

Sat Aug 23 — Alpharetta, GA — Ameris Bank Amphitheatre^

Thu Sep 04 — Grand Rapids, MI — Van Andel Arena^

Fri Sep 05 — Green Bay, WI — Resch Center&

Thu Sep 11 — Detroit, MI — Pine Knob Music Theatre&

Sat Sep 13 — Tinley Park, IL — Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre^

Thu Sep 18 — Lincoln, NE — Pinnacle Bank Arena&

Fri Sep 19 — Des Moines, IA — Wells Fargo Arena&

Sat Sep 20 — Sioux Falls, SD — Denny Sanford PREMIER Center&

Thu Sep 25 — Lafayette, LA — CAJUNDOME&

Fri Sep 26 — Birmingham, AL — Coca-Cola Amphitheater&

Sat Sep 27 — Charleston, SC — Credit One Stadium&

Fri Oct 03 — Tampa, FL — MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre&

Sat Oct 04 — West Palm Beach, FL — iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre@

# Co-headline with Brooks & Dunn

% Already On-Sale

& On-Sale 1/24

^ On-Sale 1/31

@ On-Sale 2/21

About Jason Aldean:

ACM Artist of the Decade and 3X ACM Entertainer of the Year Jason Aldean has garnered nearly 30 No. 1 career hits, over 18 billion streams, and more than 20 million albums sold with “his own recipe…one that has vaulted him to the pinnacle of Country music success” (Atlanta Journal Constitution). His history-making and prolific career has included nearly two decades of chart-topping hits, including “Dirt Road Anthem,” “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” “Fly Over States,” “She’s Country,” “Big Green Tractor,” “Amarillo Sky” and more. The Grammy-nominated hit-maker earned the most Top 10 songs on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart-more than any other artist- since his debut in 2005, with “songs of small-town living, love and loss that have resonated with a loyal fanbase” (Billboard). With the 2023 release of his 11th studio album, HIGHWAY DESPERADO, and his sold-out nationwide Highway Desperado Arena Tour, Aldean continued his “country superstar status" (Variety). The album earned the Georgia native his first career Hot 100 chart-topping hit with “Try That In A Small Town”- which earned Billboard Award nominations (2023) for “Top Song Sales Artist” and “Top Selling Song”- as well as the fan-favorite track “Let Your Boys Be Country” and current single, “Whiskey Drink.” Produced by longtime producer Michael Knox, Highway Desperado followed Aldean’s double album, MACON, GEORGIA, which earned the singer/songwriter praise for honing “in on his vision for this era of his career” and kicking off “his career's next era” (The Tennessean). The project’s featured the history-making, multi-week No. 1 Grammy-nominated "powerful duet" (Rolling Stone) “If I Didn’t Love You” with Carrie Underwood, which won ACM Single of the Year, iHeartRadio Country Song of the Year, and CMT Collaborative Video of the Year as well as Billboard and GRAMMY nominations. Currently in the studio working on new music, Aldean most recently graced the cover of Hook & Barrel Magazine’s January 2025 Cover, where he spoke about his career to date and new music and what is on the horizon in 2025. For more information, visit www.jasonaldean.com.

About Patriot Mobile:

Patriot Mobile is America's ONLY Christian conservative cell phone service provider with 100% USA based customer support. For over 10 years, Patriot Mobile has been standing behind its service and on the front lines passionately and boldly defending our God-given rights and freedoms. Patriot Mobile's got you covered as one of the only wireless carriers that can offer cell phone service on all three of the major networks.

KEEP UP WITH JASON ALDEAN

VRSTY Share "World on Fire" Cover — LISTEN

June 2, 2024

Genre-blending and bending New York City-based collective VRSTY (pronounced "Varsity") have shared their cover of Nate Smith's 200 million-streaming smash "World On Fire." Listen Below.

"The first time I heard this song, I was absolutely stuck," says singerJoey Varela. "I haven't heard a song that's hit me this hard in a long time. Everything from the lyrics to the way that it's composed is just absolutely amazing to me. I think I knew instantly that I was going to cover it. My only fear was not being able to do the song justice.. but I think I did okay."

VRSTY dropped its most recent album Levitate last fall via Spinefarm. Get it here.

VRSTY are on tour through the summer. All dates are below.

VRSTY ON TOUR:
6/1 — Mechanicsburg, PA — 10 Years Birthday Bash
6/15 — Pawtucket, RI — The Met (With Wind Walkers)
6/16 — Hartford, CT — The Webster (With Wind Walkers)
6/17 — Vienna, VA — Jammin Java Vienna, VA (With Wind Walkers)
6/18 — Greensboro, NC — Hangar 1819 (With DRUGS, Wind Walkers, Savage Hands)
6/19 — Columbia, SC — New Brookland Tavern
6/20 — Orlando, FL — Will's Pub (With Wind Walkers)
6/21 — Atlanta, GA — Purgatory at Masquerade (With Wind Walkers)
6/22 — Jacksonville, NC — Hooligans (With Wind Walkers)
6/23 — Richmond, VA — Canal Club (With Wind Walkers)
8/17 — Brooklyn, NY — The Meadows (With A Skylit Drive)
8/18 — Rochester, NY — Montage Music Hall (With A Skylit Drive)
8/20 — Lakewood, OH — The Foundry (With A Skylit Drive)
8/21 — New Kensington, PA — Preserving Underground (With A Skylit Drive)
8/22 — Baltimore, MD — Ottobar (With A Skylit Drive)
8/23 — Mechanicsburg, PA — Lovedraftz (With A Skylit Drive)
8/24 — Clifton, NJ — Dingbatz (With A Skylit Drive)

ABOUT VRSTY:
VRSTY (pronounced "Varsity") make music as energetic and richly diverse as the city that spawned them. Assembled by band leader Joey Tyler, a Puerto Rican singer from New York City raised on R&B, pop, and Spanish music and equally inspired by metallic post-hardcore, VRSTY blends genres with fearless ambition and visceral enthusiasm. A handful of EPs preceded 2020's debut album, Welcome Home, itself followed by a three-part series of sequel EPs solidifying the band's reputation.

The band (comprised of guitarist Paul Gregory, bassist Javier Dorrejo, drummer Chris Cody, and Tyler) specializes in what Kerrang! described as "endless grooves and danceable parts, punctuated by breakdowns and completed with dark atmosphere." Meanwhile, "Massive,”"from 2020's Cloud City EP, remained the Most Played on SiriusXM's Octane for two consecutive weeks. In a 9/10 review, Outburn described Welcome Home as "effortless, fun, and above all genuine." Blabbermouth raved: "While other bands may have introduced the concept of genre-bending, VRSTY have refined it."

Genuine authenticity and uncompromising passion are crucial to everything about VRSTY. Levitate, the band's stunning sophomore set, is powered by spirited conviction and a commitment to follow their muse wherever it leads. It's an album of rich melodic hooks and headbang-inducing grooves.

Tyler co-produced Levitate with Justin Deblieck (Ice Nine Kills, Motionless In White, Lorna Shore, Fit For A King). George Lever (Sleep Token, Holding Absence, Loathe) handled mixing duties.

VRSTY commands the crowd anytime they perform, connecting with anyone who struggles with feelings of low self-worth, bad relationships, or generally feels like an outsider. It’s a feeling of shared community evident on the band's tours with the likes of 10 Years, Nonpoint, Secrets, and For The Fallen Dreams, among others. Ultimately, VRSTY aims to encourage, provoke, and inspire listeners.

The Neal Agency Adds Nate Smith to Roster

August 21, 2023

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.

Grand Ole Opry Celebrates Second Annual Opry NextStage Live In Concert

November 22, 2022

Sunday night, the Grand Ole Opry celebrated its second annual Opry NextStage Live In Concert with performances by select members from the 2022 NextStage class. The star-studded group included BRELAND, Restless Road, Elvie Shane, Conner Smith and Nate Smith.

Highlights from the evening include Conner Smith’s standing ovation for his song “Dear Grand Ole Opry” which he quoted on stage as being “a love song to the Grand Ole Opry” as well as Elvie Shane’s performance of his platinum record, “My Boy.” The crowd also received special performances by the host of the evening, platinum selling NextStage alumna, Priscilla Block as well as fellow NextStage alumna and 2022 Grammy nominee, Hailey Whitters, who sang her chart topping single, “Everything She Ain’t.”

On stage, Restless Road remarked, “We feel so honored to be on stage here, being an Opry NextStage artist is absolutely unbelievable and to get to stand on the same stage as many of these other artists who are here tonight is an absolute blessing.”

The NextStage Live In Concert event is an opportunity to showcase some of country music’s top rising stars who have been a part of the NextStage artist discovery program. Highlights of the 2022 class include BRELAND receiving his first CMA nomination for “Musical Event of the Year” alongside artists Dierks Bentley and Hardy, Nate Smith’s Top 12 placement on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart for his single “Whiskey On You” and Callista Clark being named the youngest member of CMT’s Next Women of Country in the 2022 class.

The complete Opry NextStage 2022 class included BRELAND, Callista Clark, Restless Road, Elvie Shane, Conner Smith, Nate Smith and Morgan Wade.

WHERE: Grand Ole Opry House

WHEN: November 20, 2022

About Opry NextStage
Developed by Opry Entertainment Group in 2019, Opry NextStage, presented by Geico, invests in the discovery of new artists and highlights one up-and-coming artist per month with featured original content, an Opry performance and support across the brand’s platforms, which include the Opry, Ryman Auditorium, WSM Radio, Ole Red and Circle Network. With a pulse on what is next in the Country music format and a deep commitment to supporting burgeoning talent, NextStage has cemented a strong track record in just three short years. The two previous NextStage classes have featured artists such as Parker McCollum, Lainey Wilson, Riley Green and Tenille Townes who all went on to earn ACM New Male and Female Artist of the Year trophies following their Opry NextStage debuts.

About the Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry presents the best in country music live every week from Nashville, Tenn. The Opry can be heard at opry.com and wsmonline.com, Opry and WSM mobile apps, SiriusXM, and its flagship home, 650 AM-WSM. The Grand Ole Opry is owned by Ryman Hospitality Properties (NYSE:RHP). For more information, visit opry.com.

Opry NextStage Artist Nate Smith's Exclusive Performance of Chart-Topping Hit "Whiskey On You"

November 1, 2022

Last month, the Grand Ole Opry announced the final member of the NextStage Class of 2022, Arista Nashville/Sony Music Nashville artist, Nate Smith. His newest single “Whiskey On You” is currently Top 15 and climbing on the country radio charts and has sat in the Top 20 on Billboard’s well sought-after Hot Country Songs chart over the past month. Watch Smith’s exclusive 60 second NextStage acoustic performance of “Whiskey On You” below.

Having lost everything in the 2018 California Camp Fire, and making his way back to Nashville, Smith has truly risen from the ashes and has carved his own path in the country music genre. The artist recounts his inspiring Grand Ole Opry debut story in this exclusive NextStage interview HERE.

Smith will return to the Grand Ole Opry to make his NextStage artist debut today, Tuesday, Nov. 1. Buy tickets HERE. Smith will also take the stage for Opry NextStage Live In Concert, presented by Geico, alongside other 2022 NextStage artists BRELAND, Restless Road, Elvie Shane and Conner Smith, with special performances by NextStage alumnae Hailey Whitters and Priscilla Block, who will host the event. NextStage Live In Concert will take place on Sunday, Nov. 20 at the Grand Ole Opry House. Tickets for Opry NextStage Live in Concert are available to purchase HERE.

For more information on Opry NextStage, visit opry.com/nextstage.

About Opry NextStage
Developed by Opry Entertainment Group in 2019, Opry NextStage, presented by Geico, invests in the discovery of new artists and highlights one up-and-coming artist per month with featured original content, an Opry performance and support across the brand’s platforms, which include the Opry, Ryman Auditorium, WSM Radio, Ole Red and Circle Network. With a pulse on what is next in the Country music format and a deep commitment to supporting burgeoning talent, NextStage has cemented a strong track record in just three short years. The two previous NextStage classes have featured artists such as Parker McCollum, Lainey Wilson, Riley Green and Tenille Townes who all went on to earn ACM New Male and Female Artist of the Year trophies following their Opry NextStage debuts.

About the Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry presents the best in country music live every week from Nashville, Tenn. The Opry can be heard at opry.com and wsmonline.com, Opry and WSM mobile apps, SiriusXM, and its flagship home, 650 AM-WSM. The Grand Ole Opry is owned by Ryman Hospitality Properties (NYSE:RHP). For more information, visit opry.com.

About Nate Smith
Featuring a mix of gritty backwoods soul, rock ‘n’ roll swagger and velvet-thunder vocals, Nate Smith is Sony Music Nashville’s latest signing whose 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. He first chased his neon dreams to Nashville in his early 20s – but it didn’t stick. The disheartened Smith returned home and thought he was “100-percent done” with his artistic journey…until a crucible of change burned away the past.

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. Soon after his arrival to Nashville, Nate released his biggest song to date, “Wildfire,” and landed a publishing deal with Sony ATV. Since then, he’s released new music including “Sleeve” and “Under My Skin,” which has amassed over 60 million on-demand streams to date. The singer was named a Spotify Hot Country Artist to Watch for 2021 – an accurate prediction as he rounded out the year with a record deal and two brand new songs: “Raised Up” and the viral TikTok hit “I Don’t Wanna Go To Heaven.” The powerhouse vocalist is now making waves with his latest release, "Whiskey On You," which is currently climbing the country radio charts. Nate is managed by Kevin “Chief” Zaruk and Simon Tikhman with The Core Entertainment.

Opry NextStage Announces 2nd Annual "NextStage: Live In Concert" On Nov. 20; Names Nate Smith Opry NextStage Artist

October 13, 2022

OPRY NEXTSTAGE ANNOUNCES SECOND ANNUAL
"NEXTSTAGE LIVE IN CONCERT" HOSTED BY PRISCILLA BLOCK
ON NOV. 20 AT THE GRAND OLE OPRY HOUSE

Nate Smith Rounds Out NextStage Class of 2022 and Joins Lineup With BRELAND,
Restless Road, Elvie Shane, Conner Smith and 2021 NextStage Alumnae
Block and Hailey Whitters

Tickets For Sunday, Nov. 20 Event On-Sale Friday, Oct. 14

The Grand Ole Opry has announced its second annual Opry NextStage Live In Concert, presented by Geico, that showcases some of country music’s top rising stars who have been a part of the NextStage artist discovery program. The Opry has also announced the latest and final member of the NextStage Class of 2022, viral country star, Nate Smith.

Smith will take the stage alongside other 2022 NextStage artists BRELAND, Restless Road, Elvie Shane and Conner Smith with special performances by NextStage alumnae Hailey Whitters and Priscilla Block, who will host the event. NextStage Live In Concert takes place on Sunday, Nov. 20 at the Grand Ole Opry House. Tickets are available for sale at Opry.com on Friday, Oct. 14.

On being named the Opry NextStage artist of November and being part of the show, Smith remarks “I am thrilled and honored to be the Opry’s NextStage artist for November. They have spotlighted so many artists that I admire, and I can’t wait to share a stage with them next month! There’s nothing like the Grand Ole Opry and it means the world to me to have their support.”

California native and Arista Nashville/Sony Music Nashville artist, Nate Smith, is carving his own path onto the country music genre. Smith made heads turn in 2020 when his song “Wildfire” went viral on TikTok. This year the singer-songwriter has recently garnered attention on Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart while his newest single “Whiskey On You” is climbing the country radio charts, and currently sits at No. 11 on Billboard’s coveted Hot Country Songs chart. Listen to “Whiskey On You” HERE.

Throughout the year, Opry Entertainment works closely with Opry NextStage artists by investing in career development and providing opportunities for live performances, strategic marketing support and short-form documentary-style storytelling created by Opry Entertainment’s award-winning content team.

For more information on Opry NextStage, visit opry.com/nextstage.

About Opry NextStage
Developed by Opry Entertainment Group in 2019, Opry NextStage, presented by Geico, invests in the discovery of new artists and highlights one up-and-coming artist per month with featured original content, an Opry performance and support across the brand’s platforms, which include the Opry, Ryman Auditorium, WSM Radio, Ole Red and Circle Network. With a pulse on what is next in the Country music format and a deep commitment to supporting burgeoning talent, NextStage has cemented a strong track record in just three short years. The two previous NextStage classes have featured artists such as Parker McCollum, Lainey Wilson, Riley Green and Tenille Townes who all went on to earn ACM New Male and Female Artist of the Year trophies following their Opry NextStage debuts.

About the Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry presents the best in country music live every week from Nashville, Tenn. The Opry can be heard at opry.com and wsmonline.com, Opry and WSM mobile apps, SiriusXM, and its flagship home, 650 AM-WSM. The Grand Ole Opry is owned by Ryman Hospitality Properties (NYSE:RHP). For more information, visit opry.com.

About Nate Smith
Featuring a mix of gritty backwoods soul, rock ‘n’ roll swagger and velvet-thunder vocals, Nate Smith is Sony Music Nashville’s latest signing whose 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. He first chased his neon dreams to Nashville in his early 20s – but it didn’t stick. The disheartened Smith returned home and thought he was “100-percent done” with his artistic journey…until a crucible of change burned away the past.

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. Soon after his arrival to Nashville, Nate released his biggest song to date, “Wildfire,” and landed a publishing deal with Sony ATV. Since then, he’s released new music including “Sleeve” and “Under My Skin,” which has amassed over 60 million on-demand streams to date. The singer was named a Spotify Hot Country Artist to Watch for 2021 – an accurate prediction as he rounded out the year with a record deal and two brand new songs: “Raised Up” and the viral TikTok hit “I Don’t Wanna Go To Heaven.” The powerhouse vocalist is now making waves with his latest release, "Whiskey On You," which is currently climbing the country radio charts. Nate is managed by Kevin “Chief” Zaruk and Simon Tikhman with The Core Entertainment.