The country star played another intimate set
Grammy and ACM nominee David Nail hit the stage at The Hamilton Live in DC on Wednesday (Nov 19th). He shared stories and songs from his decades-long career.
Early in the night, he said that had it not been for the success of “Red Light,” he’d have left Nashville and returned home to Southeast Missouri. Nail also shared vulnerable moments from his career, admitting it took him a while to return fan-favorite “The Sound of a Million Dreams” to the setlist.
He said the reasons were both personal and professional, bringing up emotions from his life and career. It still is, “The longest four-and-a-half minutes of my life,” when Nail does choose to do it. But it’s a treat to hear live, as it gave everyone goosebumps.
Nail’s voice has an easy tone that’s a delight to listen to. He dials his infectious twang up and down as called for, sometimes within the same line of a song. Nail’s three-piece band was set up for the intimate layout of the Hamilton, opting for a small drum set. It let each instrument shine. His talented keyboard player was front and center on the opening number, “I’m a Fire.” Nail’s guitarist nailed a solo at the end of the unreleased tune, “Fair Thee Well.”
Nail’s band left the stage as he told a story of his upbringing, and his dad teaching him his first-ever song on guitar. What followed was an acoustic performance of the Garth Brooks classic, “Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old).”
The night concluded with some of Nail’s most enduring hits, including “Let it Be” and “Home.” He also played another new song in the latter part of his set, an indication that there’s much more on the way from David Nail in 2026.
