‘Catch of the Day’ – David Nail [AUDIO]

Today's catch of the day comes from a former minor league baseball player, who gave it up to become a country music star. He has never looked back, returning to the diamond only to sing the national anthem during the world series, celebrity all-star games and a hit Reality Web Series that sent him to spring training with his beloved St. Louis Cardinals.

David Nail knew he wasn't going to be a major league catcher, so he fell back on plan B; become a country music star. But the Missouri native did get to live out his "diamond dream" in 2010, when CMT enlisted him to go to spring training with his favorite team, the St. Louis Cardinals. And it was for a good cause: CMT documented Nail's mis-adventures for the CMT.com WebSeries "Turning Home", which followed his adventures as he rubbed elbows with the likes of Albert Pujols and Mark McGwire.

Nail, who played catcher in his youth, became friendly with former Cardinal manager Tony La Russa when he began volunteering for LaRussa's animal rescue foundation. This prompted La Russa to give the "Show-Me State" native a shot, even though Nail claimed he was a little more "suspect than prospect."

Things got started on the wrong foot (or hand) when Nail showed up to the Cardinals' spring training facility in Jupiter, Fla., without a glove. But the "Red Light" singer was sporting an ear-to-ear grin...at least, until he stepped into the batter's box to face former National League Cy Young winner Cris Carpenter. "He put that first pitch about four inches from my knee and it was scary as hell," Nail said. "I only took about 10 balls and then told the pitching coach I was done."

Nail hung around spring training a few more days to make sure they had enough material for the Web Series, but the general conscientious from early on, was that he shouldn't give up his day job.

It's a good thing he did stick with his day gig, as his next album, 2011's The Sound of a Million Dreams featured the singer's first #1 hit, "Let It Rain". He followed it up in 2013 with I'm a Fire, which featured Nail's second trip to the top of the charts, "Whatever She's Got" as well as the top-20 single, "Kiss You Tonight".

Nail is looking to hit one out of the park with a brand new album in 2015, his fourth, to be called Fighter. The album is scheduled for release later in the year, and its lead single is in our spotlight today. David Nail and "Nights On Fire" is our Catch of the Day, new music you haven't heard, but you'll want to hear it again.