Nathaniel Dean Smith (born September 19, 1985) is an American country music singer signed to Sony Music Nashville. After his song "Wildfire" went viral on TikTok in 2020, he signed a publishing deal with Sony/ATV. He gained prominence on social media before landing his major label record deal. He was previously signed to Word Records.
Early life and career Born and raised in Paradise, California, Smith was introduced to performing music by his church youth leader and cites Garth Brooks, Tom Petty, and Fleetwood Mac as his early influences. After moving to Nashville at age 23, he signed a record deal with Word Records and a publishing deal with Centricity Music. During this time, he opened for artists including Brett Eldredge, Eli Young Band, and X Ambassadors. Smith performed at "Wild West Festival" in Hays, Kansas in summer of 2024.
After returning to Paradise, California, in 2018, Smith's home burned down in the Butte County Camp Fire. The tragedy inspired him to write his breakout song "One of These Days". News of the release was reported by local press and several national outlets including NPR, which encouraged Smith to return to Nashville and continue pursuing music.
After relocating, Smith released his next single, "Wildfire". A clip of the performer singing his track went viral on the social media platform TikTok, gaining over 3 million views. A few months later, in November 2021, Smith signed a record deal with Sony Music Nashville and dropped his major label debut, "Raised Up", which he co-wrote with hit songwriter Jonathan Smith. He soon followed it with "I Don't Wanna Go to Heaven". The track helped land him on 2022 Artists to Watch lists by Country Now, Country Lifestyle Network and PopWrapped.
After Arista Nashville closed in March 2023, Smith was reassigned to RCA Records' Nashville division. The song "Bulletproof" was released on February 2, 2024, as the lead single from Smith's EP Through the Smoke. The song was subsequently re-recorded featuring Avril Lavigne. This version was released on May 16, 2024.
"Can You Die from a Broken Heart", was released on September 30, 2024, four days ahead of the California Golds release. The song features vocals by Avril Lavigne, who had previously collaborated with Smith in May 2024.
Discography Studio albums + List of studio albums, with selected details and chart positions Title Details Peak chart positions Certifications USPeaks on the Billboard 200: Nate Smith: California Gold: USCountryPeaks on the Top Country Albums: Nate Smith: California Gold: CANPeaks on the Canadian Albums Chart: Nate Smith: California Gold: Nate Smith Released: April 28, 2023 Label: Arista Nashville Formats: CD, download 30 6 24 RIAA: Gold MC: Platinum California Gold Released: October 4, 2024 Label: Sony Music Formats: CD, download 65 12 45
EPs + EP, with selected details Title Details Reckless Released: May 8, 2020 Label: The Fuel Music Formats: Streaming Platforms, Digital Downloads Through the Smoke Released: April 5, 2024 Label: Sony Music Formats: Digital download
Singles + List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications Title Year Peak positions Certifications Album USPeaks on the Hot 100: "Whiskey on You": "Wreckage": "World on Fire": "Bulletproof": "Fix What You Didn't Break": USCountrySongs "Wreckage": "World on Fire": "Bulletproof": "Can You Die from a Broken Heart": "Fix What You Didn't Break": US Country Airplay "World on Fire": "Drinkin' Buddies": "Bulletproof": "Fix What You Didn't Break": "After Midnight": CANPeaks on the Canadian Hot 100: "World on Fire": "Bulletproof": "I Like It": "Fix What You Didn't Break": CAN CountryReferences for Canada Country: "Whiskey on You": "World on Fire": "Drinkin' Buddies": "Bulletproof": "Fix What You Didn't Break": "After Midnight": NZHotPeaks on the NZ Hot Singles Chart: "Bulletproof": "Fix What You Didn't Break": "After Midnight": "Whiskey on You" 2022 43 11 1 — 1 — RIAA: 3× Platinum MC: 2× Platinum RMNZ: Gold Nate Smith "World on Fire" 2023 21 6 1 39 1 — RIAA: Platinum MC: Platinum RMNZ: Gold "Bulletproof" 2024 37 10 3 52 3 20 RIAA: Platinum MC: Platinum California Gold "Drinkin' Buddies" — — 26 — 59 —Sunriser "I Like It" — — — 60 — — California Gold "Can You Die from a Broken Heart" — 29 — — — — "Fix What You Didn't Break" 52 14 2 71 39 27 "After Midnight" 2025 — — 24 — 34 33 "Find Me in a Bar"2026 — — — — — —Non-album single
Promotional singles + List of promotional singles, with selected chart positions and certifications Title Year Peak positions Certifications Album USPeaks on the Hot 100: "Wreckage": US CountryPeaks on the Hot Country Songs chart: "Wreckage": "Nobody Likes Your Girlfriend": NZ Hot"Wildfire"2019———Reckless"Reckless"2020——— "Under My Skin" 2020 — — — RIAA: Gold Nate Smith"Sleeve"2021———"Heart of a Country Song"——— "Raised Up"———Nate Smith "I Don't Wanna Go to Heaven" — — — MC: Gold"I Found You"2022——— "Wreckage" 69 20 — RIAA: Platinum"Better Boy"2023———"Chasing Cars"——— "Nobody Likes Your Girlfriend" 2025 — 29 37 "Dads Don't Die"———
Other certified songs Title Year Certifications Album "Wish I Never Felt" 2024 MC: Gold California Gold
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