David Nail

David Nail Artistfacts

  • May 18, 1979
  • As a youth, David Nail was interested in sports, particularly baseball. Music was a passion, but sports seemed to be his predetermined path. During his last year of high school, he received several invitations from colleges to play baseball. Nail chose instead to focus on his dream of becoming a Country music artist.
  • In response to which musical artists had the greatest influence on Nail, he says, "Elton John was one of the main reasons I started singing, and is still a tremendous influence. I think he and the Beatles are probably two of the greatest melody makers of all time." By the 1990s, Nail began to focus more on country music, citing Glen Campbell as being one of his most notable influences in the genre.
  • After attending the University of Arkansas, he hit the road for Nashville, but soon realized he wasn't prepared in earnest for a career in music. His debut single, "Memphis," had mild success, but the only people to get a copy of the record were radio station deejays. He returned to his other love, sports, and coached the Twitty City Knights, a Nashville baseball team. Nail said, "I did it just to get away from the reality of what my career had become at the time, and it was being around those kids that recharged my batteries. It reminded me how free and easy life is at 17 and 18 years old and how truly blessed I'd been, both growing up, and now, being able to chase my dream. I will forever look back on that time and those kids for getting me back on track."
  • Even though Nail is a songwriter by profession, his first single to be released from his first album was a cover song of the alternative rock band Train. The song, "I'm About to Come Alive" reached #47 on the country charts. Two other singles from the album, "Turning Home" and "Red Light," both reached the Top 20. When asked to discuss what he thinks of his contemporary country style, Nail has said, "People ask me all the time how I'd describe my music and I say 'Well, I hope it's good.' Hopefully people will just enjoy it for being good music and take from it whatever it makes them feel."
  • David Nail grew up in Kennett a small town in the county seat of Dunklin County, Missouri. Singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow was raised in the same rural town.

Comments: 1

  • Julie Merry from San DiegoLove David Nail!!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root

Michael Glabicki of Rusted RootSongwriter Interviews

Michael tells the story of "Send Me On My Way," and explains why some of the words in the song don't have a literal meaning.

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?Song Writing

Katy Perry mentions McDonald's, Beyoncé calls out Red Lobster, and Supertramp shouts out Taco Bell - we found the 10 restaurants most often mentioned in songs.

Edwin McCain

Edwin McCainSongwriter Interviews

"I'll Be" was what Edwin called his "Hail Mary" song. He says it proves "intention of the songwriter is 180 degrees from potential interpretation by an audience."

Vince Clarke

Vince ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

An original member of Depeche Mode, Vince went on to form Erasure and Yaz.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)Songwriter Interviews

Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai were two of Graham's co-writers for some '80s rock classics.