Joe Nichols talks “Old Things New,” playing Oklahoma City show tonight
From Wednesday’s Life section of The Oklahoman.
Country singer Joe Nichols glad to make ‘Old Things New’
New album affirms country singer’s return
On his just-released album, country star Joe Nichols croons thoughtfully about taking old things and making them new, from renewing long friendships to dusting off Hank Williams’ records.
The four-time Grammy nominee couldn’t have picked a more appropriate title track for this time in his life. The 12-song collection of heartfelt ballads, drinking tunes and uplifting anthems not only reaffirms the singer’s commitment to traditional country music, it also reflects the big changes he has experienced in the past few years.
“With all the personal struggles, with the personal changes … I think it’s really easy to kind of give up and walk away. But I think we had a decision to make and that was I had to put my head down and go about what I loved to do again and … find out if I’m really meant to do this,” he said in a recent phone interview from the road in Denver.
Nichols, who turns 33 this month, will play a CD release show tonight at the Wormy Dog Saloon.
“We’re gonna do a lot of hardcore country songs,” he said. “Hopefully, they’ll feel like they got their money’s worth at the end of the night; hopefully, they’ll feel like they’ve been rocked in a country kind of way.”
In many ways, “Old Things New” reflects the myriad ways Nichols’ world has been rocked since he released his acclaimed 2007 record “Real Things,” which made the best-of-the-year lists for the New York Times, the Associated Press, CMT.com and more.
He wed longtime sweetheart Heather Singleton, got his life right with God and went through treatment for alcohol addiction. He took those experiences, along with the weight of following up on “Real Things,” into the studio for his new record.
“I think there’s a little bit of pressure. At the same time, the pressure’s off. I think some people have written me off a little bit. I think there’s certainly people, I’m sure, who’ve moved on to better and bigger things,” he said. “But I think for the most part, the pressure is just on myself from myself. That is, can I still do this, do I want to still do this, and do I have a passion for this? And I’ve answered all three of those questions with a resounding yes. So, I’m gonna stick around awhile.”
He and producers Brent Rowan and Mark Wright took an expansive approach to making “Old Things New.”
“We listened to thousands of songs for this project, stuff that I had written, stuff that other people wrote. But we just approached it as, ‘Let’s find the best country songs that satisfy our country soul,” he said.
“When I got in the studio, it was a scary place to be. But I just went in the studio with my head down and took my lumps on occasion but at the same time … I stuck my chin in there and gave it my best.”
Among the songs they discovered was “An Old Friend of Mine,” which has Nichols singing in his rich baritone about giving up drinking.
“That’s my story. It’s a very personal song; you know, I’ve had a problem with alcohol and addiction. … It’s really scary to talk about, scary to sing about. But it’s part of me now and the song is a perfect way to say, here’s kind of what I’ve been dealing with. Here’s the power and here’s the pain of addiction,” he said.
But his newfound sobriety didn’t stop him from including a few drinking songs, including the witty “Cheaper Than a Shrink” and a live version of his previous favorite, “Let’s Get Drunk and Fight.” The neotraditionalist even closes the album with a country-rap remix of his hit “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off.”
“I’ve lived through all those songs,” he said with a laugh. “When I was 10 years old, I was singing ‘I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink.’ Doesn’t mean I was knocking back a six-pack when I was 10. It’s just what I grew up singing. … I’ve certainly been that guy. I certainly don’t see any problem with singing about who I have been in the past.”
Nichols also is looking to the future, which includes taking the lead role in the Broadway musical version of the 1992 film “Pure Country.” He will play the role originated by country legend George Strait and star opposite Lorrie Morgan in the show, expected to debut next year.
His previous acting experience is limited to music videos; as he told the creative team up front, he didn’t even take drama in high school. But he is working hard to ensure he is ready for his debut, including staying abreast of script and song changes.
“It is a little scary sometimes when you’re doing something you’re not familiar with. Certainly, we’re going up there as a novice as far as Broadway goes. But I think it’ll be a good time. I’m up for a huge challenge I think,” he said.
“I don’t think anybody expects me to go up there and set the Broadway world on fire,” he said. “My hope pretty much is just go up there and have fun. You know, accept the challenge, do something that feels brand new and have fun with it. Make sure I represent Nashville the best way possible and country music.”
In Concert
Joe Nichols
When: 9:30 tonight.
Where: Wormy Dog Saloon, 311 E Sheridan.
Admission: Buy “Old Things New” or bring your copy to the door and get in free.
Information: 601-6276 or www.wormydog.com.
-BAM
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Comments
There’s a review of Joe Nichols’s new CD, “Old Things New,” at the Country Standard Time website: http://www.countrystandardtime.com
Good for you old friend. I’m proud of ya. Happy early birthday. You know its on Thanksgiving this year.