David Nail traveled all the way out to Northampton, MA., just 19 miles from Alden Street to play in front of a few hundred fans on Sept. 11. It wasn’t his normal venue, considering the three-time platinum artist has made his rounds throughout the country, and even in his early days, those travel aspirations were a key piece to his success as a musician.
Some see moving to New York City as a life goal; for Nail, going to Nashville and making music was his goal. Nail has built a career that includes three songs that have made the Billboard Top Ten, two ACM Award nominations, and RIAA certifications. Nail’s work is driven by his simple philosophy: stay truthful, keep growing, and make music that means something long after the moment passes.
Originally from Kennett, Mo., Nail is familiar with the small-town environment. When he was freshly eighteen years old, Nail decided to give Nashville a try. Growing up, Nail admits that he had never been anywhere outside a three-to-four hour radius of where he grew up, so coming to Nashville was a shock for him
“When I moved there, it was like New York City,” Nail said.
The effects of his roots have been reflected in his music.
“I think anytime you spend that amount of time in a place it’s hard for it not to have an effect on you,” Nail said.
“Turning Home” reflects on his time growing up in Southeast Missouri and his difficulty parting with Kennett. The lyrics reflect on sights he saw growing up, “I’m standin’ here beneath these billboard lights/Takes me back to those autumn nights/Hometown bleachers packed real tight/As we marched down the field/My feet would swing from a dropped tailgate”
The song references Nail roaming through his neighborhood, imagining the town as it once was, his high school experiences, and reflections on old flames.
Songs that Nail wrote in the past have led to uncomfortable conversations with his wife, Catherine. When he married, he admitted he had written songs about romantic partners who are no longer a part of his life. Songs about his wife came much later in their relationship; however, by then, she was over it.
“I think at that point she was just sort of over it, but not entirely over it. She’d been in the business for over a decade. She realized that it was my job and not to take every song literally, whether it’s sad, happy, or whatever.”
Throughout Nails’ journey in music or in life, there was a lot of soul-searching that shaped the life he leads now. Nails’ first hit did not come out until he was in his late twenties, only one year before he got married. After marriage and kids, Nail questions concerning his songwriting and personality as a songwriter were brought up. Nail admits that there was no influx of inspiration to write until months after the twins were born.
At a breakfast joint, Nail often goes to catch a break and brainstorm. He texted his writer, saying he was ready to write another song after being overcome with emotion. The song he wrote was about his kids, titled “Babies.” The lyrics reflect Nails’ heavy emotions: “And good things come to those who wait/Used to think that’s just something people say/So imagine when you get the news/After years of trying/Not just one but two”
One thing about Nails songwriting is that he strives for originality; “I’m the worst actor, I’ve been very grateful to work for people who’ve allowed me to write songs that are really about my life, and they haven’t pushed me to write songs for other artists or be a songwriter.”
Working with artists such as Miranda Lambert, Brothers Osborne, and Little Big Town, Nail says he has been fortunate enough to tour and work with people who allow him to observe and learn in the way he is most comfortable. Nail is suited to working with people who lead by example and who do what they love. While music is a business, those artists still had fun.
Now an independent artist, Nail is able to enjoy his time away from the business side of music.
“I want to write and continue to make music,” Nail said. “It really fits my lifestyle, and I enjoy being home with my family as much as possible, while also still being on the road and making music.”
Nail has seen both sides of being a musician. While on a larger record label, MCA Records, Nail was able to spend more time on the road, and there were more deadlines for releasing music. Now an independent artist, Nail can release a record when he is ready, whether it is two months or twenty years since the last one.
“I think there are benefits to both,” Nail said. “I think at this point in my life and career, for the amount of time I want to spend on the road and how often I want to write and continue to make music, it really fits my lifestyle.”
Nail reflects on the opportunities he’s received throughout his career. His performance at Game 7 of the 2011 World Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Texas Rangers is an experience he cherishes years later. As a Missouri native, Nail was looking forward to this event and considers it the greatest World Series of all time. After the Cardinals’ Game 6 victory, Nail made a scene of jumping up and down, hugging strangers in a bar.
“I snapped out of it and remembered I had to get back to my hotel and go to work tomorrow,” Nail said.
His new tour, titled the Down To The Studs Tour, is regarded as a more intimate setting where he performs solo with a guitar, including personal stories and his audience. Nails’ tour has taken him from Goodhue, Minn., to Northampton, Ma., and ends in Tulsa, Okla., on Nov. 15.