Submitted PhotoCanaan Smith plays Saturday evening at Wild Adventures Theme Park.

VALDOSTA — Canaan Smith sings about the life he lives by writing songs about his life.

He is a country music singer-songwriter with hits such as the No. 1 “Love You Like That” and songs such as “Hole in a Bottle” and “Bronco.”

He and fellow country star Frankie Ballard play Saturday, May 5, at Wild Adventures Theme Park.

“I’ve been blessed to sing my own songs,” Smith said. “My first love is songwriting.”

Writing his own songs ensures he’s true in his recordings and performances, he said.

“I do feel like I notice when other people aren’t being themselves and I believe other people can recognize that, too,” he said. “So, I do my best to be true to what I do.”

Being true can be painful and cathartic.

Canaan (pronounced kay-nun) Smith’s song “Bronco” is about the older brother he lost in childhood.

Canaan Smith was 11 years old when 16-year-old Nathaniel “Nannel” Smith died, he said. The thing he remembers most about his brother is Nannel’s vehicle, a Ford Bronco.

“Losing my brother was the pivotal event in my life,” Smith said. “Life is nasty sometimes but it’s equal parts nasty and beautiful. … You just have to roll with the punches.”

He said he still tears up occasionally while singing “Bronco” but he finds solace in seeing the response from audiences. Audiences who have also lost loved ones.

“I can’t tell you how much losing him hurt and how much I’ve grown from it,” Smith said.

Smith regularly tours the country, playing songs, writing songs, occasionally visiting his native Williamsburg, Va., and living in Nashville.

He just keeps moving forward.

“It’s about putting in the effort … putting my head down and working hard,” Smith said, adding he keeps the faith.

“God seems to take care of me in all the right times.”

SHOWTIME

Canaan Smith and Frankie Ballard perform.

When: 8 p.m. Saturday, May 5.

Where: Wild Adventures Theme Park, Old Clyattville Road.

More information: Visit wildadventures.com.