Credit David Colòn
NASHVILLE, TN (November 5, 2020) – One of the most interesting and challenging years generations have faced, the uncertain tone of 2020 rings true for PAYTON SMITH. The 20-year-old guitar slinger from the Gulf Coast of Louisiana today releases a powerful visual for “What It Meant To Lose You,” featuring TikTok phenom Jay Sage aka I’m The Jay. Felt across the delicate clips of young love, heart aches as each note bends around lyrics: Well girl you were gone all night / Were you alone all night / I know I started that fight / But I don’t know what I had to prove / It was a long long night / Cause yeah I was wrong all right / Girl I was up all night / And there was nothing I could do / I didn’t know what it meant to love you / Til I knew what it meant to lose you. Preview a snippet of the music video here.
“This video captures the vision I had in mind when writing ‘What It Meant To Lose You,’” says Payton. “This was my first time acting so it was challenging but fun! Having Jay as a co-star made the video come together perfectly.”
Jay continues, “I loved working with Payton on this video. He’s such a talented singer and I love this song and the story the video tells! Can’t wait for everyone to see it – it’s so dope!”
Leading up to the official release tomorrow (11/6), Payton and Jay will host a TikTok Live at 12:30P CT to give some behind-the-scenes detail from the video shoot and continue the chat with fans via a YouTube Premiere at 1:00P CT. The David Colòn-directed video was filmed just outside of Nashville and follows Payton’s debut single “Like I Knew You Would,” which has amassed over 20 million global streams to date. Both projects depict honest emotion and credit Payton for his songwriting and versatile guitar style.
Certain that his peers have equally varied musical tastes, the rising star brings a hybrid of his influences to the genre – every bit as much a fan of Pearl Jam and John Mayer as he is Clint Black and George Strait. With his It Started With A Song series Payton has covered some of the artists who have indirectly shaped his sound and showmanship. Payton’s Grand Ole Opry debut in front of a packed house elicited a rarity of two standing ovations, and he was invited to join Chris Young’s 2020 This Town Ain’t Big Enough World Tour, though the pandemic ultimately paused the 100+ dates. The initial disappointment has evolved into gratitude for the time he has gained to become better artistically and personally. Layering vivid imagery over propelling tones his self-titled EP (Big Machine Records) has amassed over 30 million streams worldwide as the CMT 2020 Listen Up artist contributed to every part on each track just like his favorite guitar icons across the sonic landscape. As Taste of Country noted his “raw talent, authenticity and strong work ethic are bound to bring him country music success for many, many years” as one of 2020’s Hottest Country Artists Under 25.
For the latest information and more, visit paytonsmithmusic.com.
