David Nail

David Nail has been a lot of things: the son of a band director, an avid sports fan, a songwriter who co-write his first #1, the record-setting “Let It Rain,” and even a Male Country Vocal Performance Grammy nominee, but none of those surprised him quite as much as being one of People Country’s Hot Guys.

“I could say what everybody always says: you don’t see me in the morning,” Nail laughed, “but I know that this is a huge complement – and it’s nice to know people think you’re desirable. I think in my case, the music has a lot to do with it.”

The music? Leave it to the always self-effacing and at times reluctant star to bring back his appeal to the thing that drives him. With Billboard proclaiming The Sound of a Million Dreams “stunning,” Entertainment Weekly raving, “a voice that’s even easier listening than Keith Urban’s,” and The Los Angeles Times citing, “songs that chip away at loss, regret, missteps and other human failings, grist for the richest life lessons… Nail seems eager to take on real life,” the Kennett, Missourian has certainly dug a little deeper into the state of love, life and how it all falls apart.

“I’ve always wanted to sing about things that people feel, and the way life moves and changes,” says the man who was just presented with two gold plaques for certification of 500,000 downloads of both “Let It Rain” and “Red Light,” his breakthrough hit. “Maybe the fact that these songs are about how these emotions and moments work, people can put themselves there, can experience it – and that might be what makes me seem sexy.”

The rugged, dark-haired former baseball player is certainly a full-grown man. It’s not just the songs he sings, but the physicality he brings with him. Whether meeting fans, singing at Game 7 of the World Series, or appearing on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” Nail’s solidity is a major part of his appeal, but so is the seriousness he brings to his music

“Obviously, I take this seriously,” he says. “Just listen to where these songs go. ‘The Sound of A Million Dreams’ is how music sustained me when there was nothing else. Music takes me back when I need to remember, and gives me a reason to go on. Maybe the seriousness helps…”

Having wrapped his tour with Gavin DeGraw, Nail is currently on the road with Billy Currington. With a video for “The Sound of a Million Dreams,” shot at Birmingham’s historic Alabama Theater with 2011 Academy of Country Music Video of the Year director Chris Hicky in final edits, there will be plenty of People Country’s Hot Guy for fans to experience in the coming months. 

The Sound of a MillionDreams was produced by Frank Liddell, the 2012 ACM Producer of the Year. Featuring guest vocals from Sarah Buxton on the 48-week to #1 “Let It Rain,” Lee Ann Womack on “Songs for Sale” and rocker Will Hoge on “Catherine,” written for Nail’s wife. Dreams is a portrait of a man coming into his own, living on dreams and coming to terms with reality.