Nate Smith Reflects On ‘Unreal’ TikTok Popularity

I got to speak with Nate Smith, TikTok influencer and country music star, backstage at TidalWave Music Festival 2023. We talked about California, TikTok, and his new single.

Nate Smith took the main stage at TidalWave on Day 1, Friday, August 11. He originally hails from California, so being on the East Coast, right next to the Atlantic Ocean in Atlantic City, New Jersey, felt quite different.

Nate Smith has always been singing, but he decided to truly begin his career in his mid-thirties. He tried moving to Nashville when he was 23, but it didn't work out. After tragedy struck in 2018, though, he returned to his dream. A wildfire that ravaged his hometown made him and his family lose everything. In support, his friend sent him a guitar. It was the sign he needed to get back on the horse and keep making music.

TikTok helped push Nate's career over the edge. "Wildfire" was the first song to make it huge on the platform. To Nate, the app "didn't feel country," but it was quite the contrary. His new single, "Whiskey On You," is seeing similar TikTok attention.

The TidalWave Music Festival came back to Atlantic City, New Jersey again this year and it was a party! The festival featured over 30 country music artists on two stages, including Thomas Rhett, Jason Aldean, and Brooks & Dunn.

The festival was a huge success, with over 100,000 people in attendance. Fans from all over the country came to Atlantic City to see their favorite country music stars. The festival was also a boon for the local economy, with hotels, restaurants, and businesses reporting record sales.

The TidalWave Music Festival was a great success for Atlantic City. It brought in much-needed tourism revenue and helped to boost the city's economy. The festival is also expected to have a positive impact on the city's reputation as a destination for country music fans.

Here is a list of the artists who performed at the TidalWave Music Festival in Atlantic City:

The festival was also notable for its diverse lineup, which included both established stars and up-and-coming artists. This made it a great festival for country music fans of all ages and tastes.

The TidalWave Music Festival is expected to return to Atlantic City in 2024. If you're a fan of country music, I highly recommend attending this festival. It's a great way to see some of your favorite artists and have a fun weekend at the beach.

We had a special area set up for backstage interviews with your favorite artists at the festival. We give you a peek behind the curtain at TidalWave Music Festival 2023: