California Gold (Ofgv)

On the heels of his record-breaking third consecutive multi-week No. 1 single at country radio, ACM New Male Artist of the Year Nate Smith releases his sophomore album, California Gold. With this project, he’s proving that sometimes a second chance is all it takes to change your life. In the 16-track record, he unveils breaths of self-doubt, the sting of lost loves, and found loves that are too good for this world. Nate claims the project “is an evolution of my sound, but also an evolution of me as a person,” and is heavily influenced by “2000s bands like Lifehouse and The Goo Goo Dolls…It feels nostalgic but has a modern country context.” ​ ​ The title of the project was inspired by a text conversation with an old friend who referred to the rain easing the Cali heat as “California Gold” – rare and therefore something to cherish. To Nate, the phrase unearthed shimmering memories of his upbringing in the California mountains where he stayed out too late, had his first kiss, and got into mischief with his buddies.​ ​ Nate reflected on the life he has lived since those golden memories, realizing a truth that this new record is proof of; there’s always California gold to be found. Everyone can discover what’s golden within them if they dare to dig. Most importantly, though, Nate wants people to know that it’s never too late to find it.