On performing in Farmingville for “The Fest,” Smith said, “This is awesome. This is a special night for me. It’s really cool to be here and the amphitheater is great. I love the fact that there is no roof.”
He shared the Pennysaver Amphitheater stage with fellow country artists Michael Ray and Chris Lane, country group LANco and headliner Chris Young.
Regarding his plans for the future, the gracious singer said, “To be true to myself, true to my wife and true to God.”
With his single “Hole in a Bottle,” Smith became “everybody’s drinking buddy overnight.” “You have to say ‘yes’ to the shots that are offered, otherwise my song is not valid. I love the music video. We had so much fun doing that video. It was a blast,” he said.
His breakthrough studio album, Bronco, released in June of 2015, debuted in the Top 5 on the Billboard Top Country Album charts, where he co-wrote eight out of the 11 tracks on the record. “We were fortunate to have a lot of time to write for that project. I picked songs that gave me the opportunity to share pieces of who I am with the world. It was important for me to be vulnerable with ‘Bronco’ and say who I am, and pair it with songs like ‘Hole in a Bottle’ that shows a different side of who I am. I like to have fun. Me and my band have a lot of fun out here,” he said.
“Love You Like That,” his debut single, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Airplay charts, and it has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). This is the song that Smith claimed as his personal favorite. “It has done so much for my career and it has been a game-changer,” he said.
Speaking of “Love You Like That,” he performed it for a couple’s (Samantha and Taylor) dream wedding in Napa Valley. “That was fun. We had a good time. I’ve never been to Napa Valley, and my wife and I got the chance to go surprise them. We said ‘yes’ and it was cool,” he said.
Throughout his respected career in country music, Smith has toured with such artists as Brantley Gilbert on the “Black Out Tour,” as well as Dierks Bentley and country duo Dan + Shay. Last year alone, he played over 175 shows for over 625,000 fans. Smith’s first headlining tour, “Stompin’ Grounds Tour,” which took place this past fall, included concert stops in Nashville, Chicago and Little Rock.
Former French president Charles de Gaulle once said, “Nothing great will ever be achieved without great men, and men are great only if they are determined to be so.” This wise quotation holds true for Smith, especially for his passion, hard work and dedication to his craft.
A Mercury Nashville recording artist, Smith was named as “One to Watch” by Rolling Stone, Huffington Post, Spotify and Yahoo Music, and rightfully so. In 2015, his song “Love You Like That” made Digital Journal’s list of “Top 5 Singles by Male Country Artists,” where it ranked at No. 2.
His proudest professional moments include having a No. 1 song and a platinum single with “Love You Like That,” as well as playing the Grand Ole Opry. “The Opry is a big moment every time,” he admitted.
A prolific songwriter, Smith co-wrote country duo Love and Theft’s Top 10 hit “Runaway,” as well as Jason Aldean’s “Black Tears” with Tyler Hubbard from the hit country duo Florida Georgia Line.
For his fans, he concluded, “I got a lot of cool things coming for you. Thanks for everything you’ve do for me so far.”
To learn more about country star Canaan Smith and his music, check out his website.
