Nate Smith & Crew Celebrate Two Dynamic No. 1 Hits

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Nate Smith. Photo: Nicki Fletcher

Music industry members gathered at Cross-Eyed Critters at The Graduate Hotel on Monday (March 4) to celebrate two chart-toppers from breakout country star Nate Smith.

Smith was there with co-writers Lindsay Rimes and Russell Sutton to celebrate the singer’s first ever No. 1 hit, “Whiskey On You.” Smith and Rimes were also joined by Ashley Gorley and Taylor Phillips to celebrate “World On Fire,” Smith’s second No. 1 that held its position for an impressive 10 consecutive weeks.

Pictured (L-R): Ashley Gorley, Lindsay Rimes, Nate Smith, Taylor Phillips. Photo: Larry McCormack

First, it was time to celebrate “Whiskey On You.” ASCAP Vice President of Nashville Membership Mike Sistad started off the toast. “Nate I know there was a lot of challenges to get to this place, leaving Nashville and going back to California. We are glad you came back to Nashville. It’s a big deal to have a No. 1 but it’s an even bigger deal to have your first No. 1,” Sistad said.

He then handed it over to BMI Executive Director, Creative, Nashville, Shannon Sanders, who spoke about BMI affiliates Rimes and Sutton. “Lindsey is a highly skilled writer and producer. He has many top 10 hits under his belt. But today, this guy’s effort is celebrating his second No. 1 as a songwriter,” Sanders said. “Russell, in 2022 scored his first No. 1 with Elvie Shane’s ‘My Boy,’ In 2023, he won his first BMI award, and now in 2024, he’s scored his second No. 1. Russell, the forecast for your future is bright.”

Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston and Droptine President Jim Catino also all offered their congratulations for the writers. This was Catino’s first No. 1 song as a publisher.

The mic was then turned over to the writers. Sutton started off by giving a background of how the song came to be, sharing that Smith showed up to a writing retreat at Catino’s lake house having just been broken up with. “The beautiful thing about retreats us that [we have a lot of time]. That song took us eight or nine hours to write. If we were in town, we would have left it after four or five hours—maybe we would have come back to it, maybe not. But we were stuck in a house together, where we had to finish it.

“That day we stumbled upon something special,” Sutton continued. “[Nate] deserves everything that is happening for him right now. It is the absolute definition of good karma.”

Rimes then took to the mic to show his gratitude. “To have found a great singer, a great artist, a great writer, a great friend and someone I can connect with creatively is amazing. It’s more than any writer or producer could ask for.” He said, “This song was amazing, I’m super proud of it. The first one is always special.”

Pictured (L-R): MusicRow’s LB Cantrell, Lindsay Rimes, Nate Smith, Russell Sutton, MusicRow’s Madison Hahnen

When Smith spoke, he talked a lot about the people who have supported his journey to country music stardom. “It’s so good to see everybody in here. I see all my friends, my family and the people that have believed in me since day one during my first writes in town,” he shared. “Thank you to Sony Publishing, Core Entertainment, my record label and everybody who has been involved in this song. Thank you from the bottom of my heart—it has changed my life and I love singing it every night.”

Next it was time to celebrate the dynamic, 10-week No. 1, “World On Fire.” Sistad and Sanders came back up to offer their congratulations.

Warner Chappell A&R Manager Benji Amaefule then came up to toast the writers. “Ashley, you’re the Michael Jordan of songwriting. Taylor is the new Kobe Bryant. Lindsey and Nate, y’all have created a world with your songs,” he said. “You’re inspiring a whole new generation of writers of fans.”

Gaston, Tape Room President Blain Rhodes and Sony Music Nashville EVP of Promotion and Artist Development Steve Hodges also gave their congratulations.

Phillips was the first writer to speak about “World On Fire.” He complimented each writer, sharing that Gorley had been an important mentor and friend in his career, before turning to Smith. “I met you a few years ago and I remember it like yesterday,” Phillips said. “I believed in you then, I believe in you now… You are one of the best, most talented people in this world—I’ll speak that behind closed doors and I’ll speak it to your face. I love you, I’m proud of you you deserve the absolute world.” 

Gorley shared his experience co-writing the hit when he spoke. “I was the guest—they all knew each other before I jumped in. It was a great first day first experience,” he said. “Nate is the nicest guy in the world. He’s very thankful and amazing. It’s so fun to be a part of [the success of] someone that talented. He doesn’t take it for granted.” 

Rimes and Smith once again shared their thanks to the village behind the historic success of “World On Fire” before toasting to the crowd of collaborators and friends.

Madison Hahnen
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