CMT Blog: Archive

Joe Nichols' album, Man With a Memory, popped up in my music shuffle at home a few days ago. And as soon as I heard the opening notes of "The Impossible," I decided to stop what I was doing and just chill out and listen to the whole thing. His easygoing major label debut was released in 2002, right around the time I got this job. Our first interview was kind of awkward -- there wasn't much to talk about, except that we both liked traditional country music and that he once sold steaks door-to-door prior to getting his record deal. Since then, he's loosened up a lot and turned out to be one of the funniest guys in the business. To me, his quick wit ranks right up there with Vince Gill and Brad Paisley.

Despite a few career lulls, he's managed to record some excellent country music along the way and I'm so pleased that "Gimmie That Girl" has gotten him back on the radio. Still, Man With a Memory is my favorite album he's made. His rich voice is so expressive and I've always appreciated the understated production by Brent Rowan because I'm a pretty laidback guy myself. I've grown up a lot since 2002, too, and spent my fair share of time in the neighborhood bar talking to friends and checking out the crowd. For some reason I never really listened closely to the lyrics of the title track but now I've been playing it on repeat, because it takes me back to those late nights trying to figure it all out. Needless to say, I didn't get much done at home this week.