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10 Questions with ... David Nail
June 16, 2008
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NAME:David NailTITLE:ArtistLABEL:MCA NashvilleBORN:Kennett, MissouriRAISED:Kennett, Missouri
1) Welcome back to Music City! You have been here a couple of times in the last few years to try your hand as an artist, and now you have a new single that's hitting the airwaves and an album coming out soon. What inspired you to record "I'm About To Come Alive," originally done by Train? It seems like a very fitting song in the sense that you're just getting started with this new chapter in your life.
It's a song that I've played as part of my show for a few years now, and one that was very much what I was dealing with personally when I first ran across it. I suppose it's hard not to hope it takes on a new meaning now that my career seems to be moving in a positive direction.
2) Growing up you were very into sports and even had a few offers to play baseball in college. How did you know that music was the right path for you to take, and what made you decide to go for it?
I think I've always sort of rebelled from what I felt was expected, and I think in high school it was very much assumed that I would pursue baseball until that door closed, but it was during those years that I felt myself leaning more towards the music.
3) Who are your musical influences?
I think Ryan Adams is genius, but growing up it was my father's record collection that ranged from Elton John, The Beatles and Lionel Ritchie to Stevie Wonder. It all came to a head when I discovered Glen Campbell.
4) You wrote five of the 11 tracks on the new album. Where do you draw inspiration when writing songs? What songs that you have written are you the most proud of, and what can we expect to hear on this new album?
I think I'm most proud of "Missouri," which is the one song I wrote alone on the record. I was in a bad place, and I don't know if I'll ever write a more honest and personal song again.
5) You've seemed to rack up quite a few frequent flyer miles while out on your recent radio tour to promote your new single. What are some of the coolest places you've traveled to? Do you have any favorite spots?
I love Philadelphia. San Diego was beautiful and a lot of fun as well. To be honest, I can always find something great about each place I go, whether it's seeing an old minor league baseball stadium, or finding a good hole in the wall spot to eat.
6) Your MySpace blog says that you started singing at an early age, performing in every talent show in school from your 7th grade to your senior year of high school. How do you think those early days molded you into the performer you are today? Do you get nervous when you perform live, or did all of those years on stage help you become more comfortable in the spotlight?
I think I get way more nervous now, but I've learned when you're not nervous, that's when you're most likely to mess up. I think what those early talent shows did was hook me on the feeling of performing. It's the only drug I've ever needed.
7) Speaking of your MySpace blog, you update it quite frequently. How important is it to you to stay plugged in with your fans and connect with them?
It's funny, I have so many who were fans of mine long before the record deal came. I guess I just feel like telling whoever is interested about what I feel is a very blessed life I'm living.
8) What artists would you really like to collaborate with? Have you had much thought of some people that you'd love to work with?
I've had the chance to sing with a few. Miranda Lambert sang on my record, and I'm so very honored for that. I'm obsessed with Lee Ann Womack as well - she may be the best female singer in our format as far as I'm concerned. I would love to sing with a Ryan Adams or Elton John, maybe even Neil Diamond, but I think I'd be far too nervous to ever actually follow through with it.
9) Being an athlete growing up, you must have some favorite sports teams. What are they? Have you been to any good games lately?
I'm a huge St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Rams fan, as well as the Missouri Tigers. I've had a chance to become friends with a lot of NHL guys and have become a hockey fanatic. My loyalties are with the Nashville Predators first and foremost, but I'm a Dallas Stars fan too.
10) You were featured on the cover of Nashville Lifestyles magazine's annual "Single in the City" issue. How did that turn out for you after the magazine came out? Were you bombarded with date requests after that?
I was completely flattered, but it got a little uncomfortable having so many friends in Nashville. They had plenty to hassle me with for a few months there.
Bonus Questions
1) Do you remember the first album you ever bought, first concert you attended?
I'm sure I bought a New Kids On The Block record first, and the first concert was in seventh grade in Jonesboro, AR for the Garth Brooks "No Fences" tour.
2) What was the experience of the CMA Music Festival like for you- what were a couple of your favorite moments?
I think it's fun just seeing all my friends who are usually out on the road. I felt like I was following Luke Bryan around most of the week. Luke and I moved to town about the same time, and it's been great to see his success, there may not be a nicer guy out there.
3) Your birthday happened to fall on the date of the ACM Awards this year in Vegas. (Happy belated birthday, by the way.) Did you hit a big birthday jackpot or do anything that should have "stayed in Vegas?"
No, after the All-Star Jam, I was exhausted once the adrenaline emptied. I went to our UMG party, had a couple shots and decided it was time for bed.
4) What are you listening to on your iPod right now?
It's the day of a show here in Charlotte, NC, and whenever I'm out on bus runs, it's a steady dose of Ryan Adams and U2. I watch the first few songs of the U2 DVD "Live from Slain Castle" every night before going on stage. It certainly gets my mind right, but also reminds me of the road I've yet to go!!!
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