Having grown up watching his father play bass in a local country band, Nichols was always around country music. After doing odd-jobs and working as a mechanic, Nichols met producer Randy Edwards, who encouraged Nichols to develop his songwriting skills.
At 19, he had signed with Intersound Records, releasing his self-titled first album in 1996. The album did not sell particularly well and Nichols was dropped from the label, moving to Giant Records before again leaving their roster. However, Nichols was soon to achieve better results, after singing to Universal South Records (Show Dog- Universal Music) in 1999.
In 2002, his second album, "Man With Memory" finally brought Nichols some success, with his lead single "The Impossible" reaching number three on the Billboard Hot County Songs Chart, being declared the tenth most-played country song of 2003 and certified Platinum. This release earned Nichols several awards, including three Grammy Award nominations and an award for Top new Male Vocalist from the Academy of Country Music. The second single, "Brokenheartsville," brought Nichols his first number one on the Billboard country charts, with two further singles entering the top 20.
Nichols proceeded to build on his success with his next three albums "Revelation" (2004), "III" (2005) and "Real Things" (2007), with hit singles "Tequila avers Her Clothes Fall Off," "What's a Guy Gotta Do" and "It Ain't No Crime," all breaking into the top 20 of the country charts.
Nichols' third number one single was "Gimme That Girl," released in 2010 on the album, "Old Things New." WIth his 2012 album, "Crickets," a more pop-orientated, upbeat affair, Nichols was again on top form, achieving two number one singles from the album."Sunny and 75" and "Yeah" both topped the country charts.
Having not achieved the same dizzying commercial success of some of his peers, Joe Nichols has still done incredibly well in the US country charts whilst managing to maintain a likeable down to earth mentality. Since the beginning of his career nearly two decades ago he has amassed a loyal, large following who continue to sell out his tours in record numbers.
With an expert attainment of the country genre and a slick supportive band, Nichols goes about creating a setlist to appeal to all members of the audience which of course features hits such as 'Size Matters (Someday)' and 'The Impossible'. The audience remains responsive throughout the whole concert due to Joe's warm demeanour and likeable personality. He builds a rapport almost instantly and addresses the crowd as if he was chatting to an old friend.
Although modest, he is clearly confident in his abilities as he rapidly strums the introduction to 'Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off' to the sound of huge cheers. The crowd supports him during the chorus and form a thousand strong choir as a thank you of sorts for such a wonderful evening of live music.
sean-ward
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