For Nashville-based artist Nick Smith, love isn’t about guarantees—it’s about the risk, the rush, and the stories we carry along the way. His new single, “Lead Me On,” embraces that very tension: the thrill of stepping into the unknown with someone, even when the outcome is unclear. Co-written with Drew Smith and Carlton Anderson, the track captures the delicate push and pull between hesitation and hope, and it does so with a refreshing honesty that sets Smith apart in today’s country landscape.
Musically, “Lead Me On” nods to the golden era of ’90s country while carving out space in the present. Producer Ed Seay—renowned for his work with Pam Tillis, Collin Raye, and Blake Shelton—grounds the track in tradition with steel guitar and fiddle, yet allows Smith’s modern sensibilities to shine. The result is a sound that feels both familiar and vital, echoing the genre’s roots while leaning into contemporary polish.
What makes the song linger, though, is its emotional core. Smith writes from a place that feels lived-in, drawing on real experiences of connection and loss. Rather than dressing it up in clichés, he leans into vulnerability, offering a chorus that sticks long after it fades. It’s a reminder that country music’s greatest strength lies in its ability to make the personal universal.
The recording also benefits from the contributions of top-tier players. Joe Spivey’s fiddle adds restless movement to the verses, while Philip De Steiguier’s keys layer in warmth and texture. Wil Easterwood’s background vocals expand Smith’s storytelling, transforming “Lead Me On” into something bigger than a love song—it becomes a soundtrack for every leap of faith.
Beyond the single, Smith is steadily building a presence in Nashville. With more music on the horizon and a growing lineup of live performances, he’s proving himself not just as a songwriter but as an artist with a clear sense of identity. Each release feels like a step forward, rooted in independence and a commitment to craft over trend.
At its heart, “Lead Me On” isn’t about certainty—it’s about possibility. Nick Smith captures that fleeting space where love feels risky but irresistible, and in doing so, reminds us why country music continues to resonate: because it dares to tell the truth about our most fragile moments.
Sometimes the best songs don’t give you the ending—they give you the courage to keep writing your own.