//And I feel proud that I’m not
feeling the pressure to keep up with what’s going on. I feel like the music
that we are making is something that stands apart and I’m excited to share it
with people.//
Anyone can fit the
mold. Only the greatest artists step out of their comfort zones and stay true
to themselves. And for that reason, they stand out and find the greatest of
success.
You know his name,
you’ve heard his voice, you’ve jammed to his new single Love You Like That.
Now it’s time to get
to know the down-to-earth soul behind the music.
Meet the guy I’d bet all my money on being a star…
Canaan Smith
Age:
32
Hometown || Currently Living:
Williamsburg,
Virginia // Nashville TN
When did you move to Nashville?
I’ve lived in
Nashville for the past ten years.
Did you move to sing and write?
Yes. Yeah I moved
here with that crazy dream that we all get. But to actually come through and
make is the coolest thing. I definitely moved here with those intentions to
sing and I feel lucky to actually get to do it.
What inspired you to want to become a singer/songwriter?
Just to tell my
stories, ya know. I just always knew. I picked up guitar when I was twelve. My
older brother took lessons first and I kinda thought it was cool that he
played. So I started to play and I just couldn’t put it down. It became the place
that I would go to. I was really big into sports when I was a kid but once I
started playing guitar it went away. I used to shoot the lights out of a
basketball but now I can’t hit the broadside of a barn. I’m so bad because I
traded it all for guitar and music. It just became part of who I am more so
than anything else.
So you mentioned guitar, did you teach yourself?
I took a couple
start-up lessons from a family friend that showed me a couple chords. But from
that I just taught myself by listening to records and stuff.
Your tone is so unique and unlike anything I’ve ever heard in country
music. Is that something you’ve developed over time?
Um, no I think it’s
just how I sing and talk I guess? I don’t know. I’m not trying to be anything
except just being myself. I guess that’s where it comes from.
What is your favorite career moment this far?
Man they are all so
awesome. Each milestone is so important and I have so much to be thankful for.
Playing the Opry for the first time was incredible. Signing a record deal was
incredible. And then, you know, just like getting to hear your song come on the
radio. It’s so hard to beat that feeling. Those moments just show the progress
and being able to finally see your dreams come true that you’ve had for so
long. I had to pull over the car when I heard Love You Like That on the radio.
I was in Nashville actually and heard it on the radio and I had to pull over at
a gas station just to take it all in. You can’t really describe it, it’s just
pretty amazing.
If you could write a song for/with someone whom would you choose?
There are some hero
songwriters in mind that I’ve gotten to be in the room with which is so cool to
have that happen already. I’d pick an artist maybe. Like maybe Eric Church. Or
somebody like my all time favorite, George Strait. I know he didn’t write a lot
but it’d be cool just to sit in a room with him.
If you could tour with anyone, who would it be?
I think that Eric
Church would a good fit. I think Keith Urban would be a good fit. Those guys,
yeah I just respect everything they do as artists.
Where do you see yourself when you look down the road at your career?
I wanna still be on
top of my game. That just meaning I wanna have the best songs. I wanna sell out
venues and stadiums. And more importantly than that, I just want people to
continue to relate to my music. And if they are doing that, everything else
will fall into place.
What was the inspiration behind Love You Like That?
My wife. I met my
wife on the road a couple years ago. And just shortly after I met her, I wrote
this song. And I wanted a love song that wasn’t all fluffy and girly. I needed
a tough guy love song. It’s about being a shoulder to lean on. Strong as
whiskey and that kind of stuff. You know, what they want to hear and a guy can
feel okay singing it. It really just means when a man wants to protect and keep
a woman close. You know that’s what the song is saying.
If I weren’t a singer I would be….
LOST
I’m afraid of…
Snakes
I never get tired of….
Music
Last question, what’s a little fun fact or a random thing that no one
really knows about you?
I’m pretty good at
helping my wife with stuff around the house. I like to build stuff. I’ve built
some furniture.
So what does 2015 look
like for Canaan Smith?
2015 is just gonna be the year we
hopefully will really start to breakout and I’m super stoked about the album.
I’m going in to cut the rest of album here in a few weeks.
C O N N E C T
F E E D Y O U R
A D D I C T I O N
>>SPECIAL THANKS TO CANAAN SMITH FOR TAKING THE TIME OUT OF HIS SUPER BUSY SCHEDULE TO SIT DOWN WITH ME FOR AN INTERVIEW. THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING! 2015 JUST MIGHT BE HIS YEAR!!<<
MAKE SURE Y'ALL FIND A CITY NEAR YOU AND CATCH CANAAN ON THE DAN + SHAY TOUR!