David Nail Goes Platinum Before Album Release

Pictured (L-R) front row: Jimmy Robbins, David Nail and Jon Nite. (back row): Frank Liddell, ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan, Universal Music Publishing Nashville’s Kent Earls, Universal Music Group Nashville’s Mike Dungan, Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s Josh Van Valkenburg and ASCAP’s Ryan Beuschel. Photo: Ed Rode.

Eleven weeks after MusicRow crowned “Whatever She’s Got” for reaching No. 1 on the CountryBreakout Chart, ASCAP and UMG Nashville hosted a celebration where David Nail was surprised with platinum plaques for the fastest rising single of his career. The presentation was a surprise for the Nashville crowd, gathered to celebrate the success of the Jimmy Robbins and Jon Nite-written, Mercury Nashville single.

ASCAP’s Ryan Beuschel welcomed Robbins, Nite and Nail to the stage at the spacious top floor of Nashville’s Cannery complex on Tuesday (Feb. 25). The celebration marked the first No. 1 party honoring Nite. Although his co-written title “We Were Us” (Keith Urban feat. Miranda Lambert) peaked at the top of the charts first, the party for that song has yet to take place. In commemoration, Beuschel honored the ASCAP member with a guitar at his first No. 1 party. “I came to town in a U-Haul with my wife and daughter living on food stamps, hoping and dreaming of this,” said Nite of the distinctions.

Nite’s Sony/ATV representative, Josh VanValkenburg, gave heartfelt remarks about the pair’s history, saying, “It’s a privilege to stand up here with you.” VanValkenburg also commented on the time he invited the songwriter to the ASCAP Awards as his date, and he showed up in jeans, a jacket and old boots.

Of Nite, Robbins commented, “A good co-writer makes your songs better and a good friend makes your day better – I’m thankful to have both with Jon.” Universal Music Publishing Group’s Kent Earls addressed the reception as Robbins’ publisher. “Jimmy has been signed for two short years,” said Earls. “He has had 55 major label cuts from a catalog of only a couple hundred – the ratio is unbelievable.”

Pictured (L-R): David Nail, UMG Nashville Chairman & CEO, Mike Dungan. Photo: Ed Rode

UMG Nashville Chairman/CEO Mike Dungan addressed Nail and the MCA promotion department’s contributions. “This single felt so good going up the charts,” said Dungan. “We have been working our asses off and this one felt like a lay-up.”

Producer Frank Liddell offered comments on behalf of co-producers Chuck Ainlay and Glenn Worf. The hitmaker noted Ron Stuve‘s presence at the ceremony. “These comments are my pre-speech for the next No. 1. Ron pitched the next single and I’m so happy to see him standing in the audience.”

“I didn’t do anything but sing it,” Nail humbly admitted before sending heartfelt remarks to Dungan. “Since Mike came over to the label, I’ve felt like a new artist. I’m so thankful to be doing this.”

“Kiss You Tonight” is currently at Country radio as the second single from Nail’s third studio album, I’m A Fire, due out next week (March 4). A preview of the forthcoming project can be seen below.