Ask The Artist : Blogs : Great American Country

Joe Nichols

Posted on August 30, 2007 at 1:53 PM

Today's Fan Question: "If you could record a song with Merle Haggard, what would that song be?" (Janet Graves, Midwest City, OK)

Read Joe's Answer:

Joe: Well Ms. Janet I would probably like to record something with Merle Haggard that I wrote with him. I've always considered him one of the greatest songwriters of all time. It would be an honor to be on a song with him from the beginning and of course to be able to sing [it] with him would be another huge honor.

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Take Your Daughter to Work Day

Joe Nichols

Posted on August 29, 2007 at 8:51 AM

Today's Fan Question: "Do you get to take your daughter with you on any of your tours?" (Courtnee Carrizales, Clovis CA)

Read Joe's Answer:

Joe: Well Ms. Courtney I get to take her with me on some of the tour in the middle of the year when she's out of school. She is only nine years old so she's still in grade school. As long as the trip is not too long I like to take her out if it's a day or two trip. But for the most part, school is what's most important.

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Making It

Joe Nichols

Posted on August 28, 2007 at 1:46 PM

Today's Fan Question: "At what point in your singing career did you realize you finally made it big?" (Cathy Jackson, Beebe,AR)

Read Joe's Answer:

Joe: Well Cathy, I don't think I've ever realized that still to this day. I think we've got a lot of work to do. The moment that I got started making music that I wanted to make — that's when I realized that this is what its supposed to be about. So as long as I'm able to do that, I think I'll be content and happy with my life no matter what success level we're at.

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Fan Love

Joe Nichols

Posted on August 27, 2007 at 1:42 PM

Today's Fan Question: "What is the strangest or funniest thing a fan has ever done for or to you?" (Tiffany Tanner, Meriden CT)

Read Joe's Answer:

Joe: Well, we've had a lot of strange incidences with a few fans, but for the most part I think everybody enjoys a good sense of humor. The best thing that a fan has ever done for us [was] during the fan club party in 2007. The fan club had started a foundation of hope in the name of my father for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. It's always been a goal of mine to start something that helps people be aware of that disease that ultimately took my father. So I have always thought that was the greatest thing that fans have ever done for me.

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Carrying On

Joe Nichols

Posted on August 26, 2007 at 1:40 PM

Today's Fan Question: "What impact do you hope your music will have on the long term history of country music?" (Sue Champagne, Jacksonville, FL)

Read Joe's Answer:

Joe: Well Sue, I hope that it stays the same. I hope that we carry on a tradition and that carries on to someone else in the future. I hope that is the one thing that's preserved — that we have carried on traditional country music. I hope that people will look back one day and say, 'That guy carried it on.'

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They Can't Take That Away From Me

Joe Nichols

Posted on August 25, 2007 at 1:38 PM

Today's Fan Question: "What was the best piece of advice you have ever been given--and what would your advice be to those shooting for their dreams?" (Kathy Abramowitz, Deer Park, NY)

Read Joe's Answer:

Joe: The best piece of advice I've ever been given was more of a general statement to the musician crowd by BB King. He said, 'Get as much sleep as you possibly can if you're ever going to go on the road because you never know when you're going to be able to get it.'

That's the best piece of advice I've been given. As far as advice from me, I would say, no matter what anybody tells you, it's always going to be your dream and they can't take that away from you. It's a matter of you realizing it and that's the hard part. I would say anything's possible.

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European Vacation

Joe Nichols

Posted on August 24, 2007 at 1:35 PM

Today's Fan Question: "Now that we're in "vacation season," where would you go on your dream vacation?" (Robyn Patino, Sacramento, PA)

Read Joe's Answer:

Joe: Well Robyn, I'd probably tour Europe. That's always been a goal of mine. I've always wanted to go over there and see things that are really old. We have a lot of history here in America, but nothing that's dated back thousands of years like Europe. So that'd be where I'd go.

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Catching a Few ZZZs

Joe Nichols

Posted on August 23, 2007 at 1:31 PM

Today's Fan Question: "What do you do in your spare time?" (Larry Seaburg, Belfair, WA)

Read Joe's Answer:

Joe: In my spare time, my favorite hobby is to sleep. Everybody knows that. I like to golf a little bit. My daughter is just now starting to play golf, which makes me very proud. It's a great way to spend some time with her.

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Joe Covers Merle

Joe Nichols

Posted on August 22, 2007 at 8:40 AM

Today's Fan Question: "At a concert in Minnesota, you did a cover of "If I Could Only Fly" by Merle Haggard. Any chance you'll be releasing that on an upcoming album?" (Carrie Kuhlmann, Goodland, MN)

Read Joe's Answer:

Joe: Well it's funny you should ask that Ms. Carrie. We have done that song on this new album Real Things. It is the last track on the album and it came out great. It's one of my favorite songs on there. By the way, Ms. Lee Ann Womack stopped by to sing a little bit on it. It was a great song before, and I think Ms. Lee Ann kicked it up a notch. We were proud to be a part of such a good record.

Comments (3)

Best Practical Joker in Country Music

Joe Nichols

Posted on August 21, 2007 at 8:38 AM

Today's Fan Question: "You seem to have such a great sense of humor! What was the best practical joke someone played on you--and did you ever get them back?" (Paula Gargus, Madison Heights, MI)

Read Joe's Answer:

Joe: I think the best practical joke anybody ever played on me was during the Toby Keith tour, when they actually took the wheels off the trailer on the last day of the tour. After the show, we were kinda puzzled. They started loading up the equipment while we were still playing on stage. So they got me pretty good, and of course it was the last day of the tour so we didn't have a chance to get them back. Bit I'm looking forward to the next Toby Keith tour, by gosh, 'cause we got a lot of them planned.

Comments (11)

It's All Good

Joe Nichols

Posted on August 20, 2007 at 11:36 AM

Today's Fan Question: "What is the best part of your job, and the worst part of your job?" (Sonali Shah, Mesa, AZ)

Read Joe's Answer:

Joe: The best part of my job is meeting the fans, getting to tour and seeing everybody's reaction to the music, live. That's always rewarding. I guess the worst part of the job is…well there ain't no worst part of the job. It's all good. It's better than any job I've ever had.

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Touring Down Under

Joe Nichols

Posted on August 19, 2007 at 11:32 AM

Today's Fan Question: "G'day Joe. Would you ever consider touring here in Australia?" (Aleta Tulk, Mareeba QLD)

Read Joe's Answer:

Joe: Well Ms. Aleta, that funnel web spider frightens me quit a bit, but I think we could probably see fit to come down there for a tour anyway. I've always heard that it's a great place to go and they love country music, so absolutely. We'd love to come down there.

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My Little Girl

Joe Nichols

Posted on August 18, 2007 at 8:39 AM

Today's Fan Question: "What has been the most rewarding or satisfying part of your life so far?" (Carol Durrenberger, Southampton, NJ)

Read Joe's Answer:

Joe: Well Ms. Carol, I'd say the most rewarding or satisfying part of my life so far is my little girl, and knowing that I'm still here with a job. I never though I could have a job singing, but here I am making a pretty good living at it. I got a beautiful little girl to go with it and that's pretty rewarding to me.

Comments (1)

Buddy Blake

Joe Nichols

Posted on August 17, 2007 at 8:31 AM

Today's Fan Question: "You and Blake Shelton seem to be good friends and have a lot of fun with each other. How did you both meet?" (Jill Schmitz, Watertown, WI)

Read Joe's Answer:

Joe: Ms. Jill, we met while we were both on a label that's informally known as the 'Artist Protection Program' — Giant Records. We were both waiting around to get a record released on Giant and kind of counting our dollar bills and biding our time. We came to be good friends because we both had a lot in common. You know, we just kind of waited and watched about four million suns set on our broke asses. There ya go!

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Would Joe Eat Worms?

Joe Nichols

Posted on August 16, 2007 at 9:26 AM

Today's Fan Question: "If you could be on any reality show ("Survivor," "Real World," "Fear Factor," etc.) what would it be?" (Keri Beth Brewer, Oakman, AL)

Read Joe's Answer:

Joe: Ms. Keri Beth, shame to say it, I don't really watch reality TV shows. But if I had to be on anything, I'd like to go for the guts though. I'd say "Fear Factor" 'cause you never know, one or two drinks in me and, 'My God, yeah — some of that stuff looks pretty tasty.

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No Pressure

Joe Nichols

Posted on August 15, 2007 at 8:23 AM

Today's Fan Question: "What is your idea of the perfect date?" (Lisa Marie Finkbeiner, Cleveland, TN)

Read Joe's Answer:

Joe: Ms. Lisa Marie, I think my idea of a perfect date is something that never makes you nervous. Something that never feels like a date at all, because if you're auditioning, then that's not really a date. A perfect date would be something where people agree immediately that 'We're going to be who we are and if we match up, then great. If we don't, better luck next time.

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Personal Shopper?

Joe Nichols

Posted on August 14, 2007 at 4:21 PM

Today's Fan Question: "Where do you find your onstage clothes? (Lin Weirup, Astoria, OR)

Read Joe's Answer:

Joe: Lin, I have a person that actually shops a lot [for me]. We do photo shoots and videos, but most of the time I look for something that I like and that shows my personality. Sometimes in a thrift store, sometimes in a Dolce & Gabbana outlet. A lot of shopping I do myself.

Comments (1)

Inside Jokes

Joe Nichols

Posted on August 13, 2007 at 8:55 AM

Today's Fan Question: "During your shows, you and your bandmembers always seem to be having a good time, laughing at what appear to be inside jokes. Do you have particular topics or comments that you bring up in conversations with the audience that are designed to give the guys a chuckle? (Lisa Balderson, Charleston, WV)

Read Joe's Answer:

Joe: That is a very insightful question, Ms. Lisa. No, usually if it's an inside joke on the stage, its usually when one of us has screwed up or has done something really foolish, or something we can make fun of ourselves. We never play off the crowd to ourselves. That would be kind of pointless. But sometimes I do get the feeling that people are watching when somebody does something wrong. We say something about it in the talk-back microphone where only the band can hear it. It does feel kind of strange not letting everybody in on the joke, but make no mistake — they're always about us.

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Remembering Anna Nicole Smith

Joe Nichols

Posted on August 12, 2007 at 8:53 AM

Today's Fan Question: "How did it feel performing at Anna Nicole Smith's funeral with all that was happening at the time? (Leannda Hope Brown, Winchester, KY)

Read Joe's Answer:

Joe: Well Ms. Leannda, I would say that it felt like any other funeral. It felt very sad and dark. Most people don't like to remember funerals. They like to remember people in their own kind of way — and that's the way I feel about that funeral. With all the bad that surrounded that event, I like to think of her in a better place. She was a good person while I knew her, and it was an honor. But at the same time it was a funeral and we had to remember to have respect for the dead.

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This Does Not Taste Like Chicken!

Joe Nichols

Posted on August 11, 2007 at 8:50 AM

Today's Fan Question: "What food would you refuse to eat? (Pattee Taylor, Cottageville, WV)

Read Joe's Answer:

Joe: Pattee, I refuse to eat anything that smells or tastes "game-y," like we've just killed it or caught it. And I refuse to eat anything that takes its last breath on the plate. can't do it.

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Mojito, Por Favor

Joe Nichols

Posted on August 10, 2007 at 8:34 AM

Today's Fan Question: "What is your favorite drink, and why? (Brooklyn DeRoule, Smith River, CA)

Read Joe's Answer:

Joe: Well Brooklyn, my favorite drink happens to be mojitos because it reminds me of the beach. If I can't be on the beach, by God I want to be reminded of it.

Comments (1)

No Pressure

Joe Nichols

Posted on August 9, 2007 at 9:50 AM

Today's Fan Question: "I have noticed that your physical appearance (and the appearance of other artists) has changed dramatically from the earlier days. I was wondering if there is pressure from record companies to look a certain way, once you start achieving success. (Jimmie Vines, Waxahachie, TX)

Read Joe's Answer:

Joe: Well Jimmie, I think the natural order of things causes people to change [their wardrobe] when they wear a shirt to many times, much like anybody else. You wear a shirt to work too many times, ya throw that shirt away or ya stop wearing it. But my appearance has always been based on what I felt like at the time. That's why I've never looked at my music like I look at the way I dress. It's a very free thinking that goes into dressing. Sometimes no thinking at all, but nobody's pressuring me. I can't speak for everybody. I can speak for myself and say that nobody pressures me to look a certain way. Even when it happens, it's a very very mutual thing.

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Hardcore Traditional Country Music

Joe Nichols

Posted on August 8, 2007 at 9:47 AM

Today's Fan Question: "What can we expect on the new album? (Ashley Murphy, Dearborn, MI)

Read Joe's Answer:

Joe: Well Ashley, I'll tell you what, much more of the same hardcore traditional country music, which is what I do — only on this album, we got back to the first album's boyish naivete and stretched my legs a little bit vocally. We did some songs in the studio that I wasn't sure I could do or not, but it came out to be a great record. I'm very proud that we kinda went out on a limb and did some things that weren't normally us. I think we wound up with a great record. Hope you guys like it.

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French Trip

Joe Nichols

Posted on August 7, 2007 at 12:43 PM

Today's Fan Question: "Would you ever come to Europe--especially to France--for a Concert? (Bert Bisbrouck, Hardelot, France)

Read Joe's Answer:

Joe: Well yeah, I would definitely come to to Europe for a concert. Matter of fact, I'd like to do several over there. I hear country music is pretty big in Europe and I can't wait to see for myself. Europe's a beautiful place; if I can get some way to make work pay for that, then I'm all for it. I'm all for a free vacation

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A Round of Drinkin' Songs

Joe Nichols

Posted on August 6, 2007 at 9:52 AM

Today's Fan Question: "I was wondering if you have ever considered doing an album of old drinking songs like you do in your live show? (Tina Robards, Dieterich, IL)

Read Joe's Answer:

Joe: Well Ms. Tina, absolutely anybody that knows me knows I love the old honky tonk drinking songs. If I could ever get an opportunity to cut an album's worth, I would love to do that. So look forward to that in the future!

Comments (1)

Joe Nichols & Thriller

Joe Nichols

Posted on August 5, 2007 at 10:49 AM

Today's Fan Question: "Is there any song, past or present, that you're embarassed to admit you like? (For example, I still bust out my NSYNC CDs from time to time.)" (Amy Brandon, San Antonio, TX)

Read Joe's Answer:

Joe: Well Amy, I wouldn't tell many people about the NSYNC CDs. I think everybody's got a few songs in their past that they kind of go, 'I don't know what the hell I was thinking,' but I like it anyway. Embarrassing songs from the past…boy, I tell you what, one of the first records I ever bought was Michael Jackson's Thriller album.

I bought it with my own money that I made from cutting lawns. I remember when I bought that thing. I was so proud and I put it on a record player and I said, 'Man this guy is nothing like Merle Haggard, anyway, I still like it though.' It's good music, but I've moved on from Thriller since then.

Comments (1)

In the Year 2027

Joe Nichols

Posted on August 4, 2007 at 9:45 AM

Today's Fan Question: "Where do you see yourself in 20 years?" (Natalie Doering, Gretna, NE)

Read Joe's Answer:

Joe:Well Natalie, in 20 years I see myself 50 years old. I see myself probably working, same thing I'm doing now. Hopefully with the fans' help I can continue a career like this. It's what I've always wanted to do and as long as y'all are supporting me I'll have a job. So if that goes south I guess I'll be [working] at the cable company.

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Merle Haggard, 100% Honest

Joe Nichols

Posted on August 3, 2007 at 8:41 AM

Today's Fan Question: "Of all the other country artists you have met, which one is your most favorite as a person--not an artist--and what makes them your favorite?" (Annette Ditsch, South Bend, IN)

Read Joe's Answer:

Joe:Well I would say Merle Haggard is my favorite person/artist that I've ever met. Not so much because of the artistry, just because of the story behind his life. He's got a pretty amazing story, and hearing some of those things in person really paints a unique picture. He is my favorite because there is no lying in him. He was a hundred percent truthful, weird as it may be.

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Fame vs. Freedom

Joe Nichols

Posted on August 2, 2007 at 11:38 AM

Today's Fan Question: "How do you deal with all the pressure of touring and fame? Do you feel a loss of personal freedom?" (Carolyn Clements, Germantown, TN)

Read Joe's Answer:

Joe:To me, touring and fame never enters the equation. Every night I get to go on stage with a bunch of friends and do something I love genuinely and there's no pressure with that. It's the other things through out the day that create pressure. But as far as person freedom goes, I think you lose a little bit of personal freedom with every job — so mine's no different than everybody else's.

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God & Family

Joe Nichols

Posted on August 1, 2007 at 4:34 PM

Today's Fan Question: "What is your greatest accomplishment to date, and what do you hope to accomplish before you die?" (Shannon Burr, Chesterfield, SC)

Read Joe's Answer:

Joe:Well my greatest accomplishment to date is my daughter, by far. What I hope to accomplish before I die is everlasting life, which is only though Jesus Christ. So that's my two big ones.

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Joe Nichols Answers YOUR Questions!

Joe Nichols

Posted on July 31, 2007 at 6:54 PM

Joe Nichols is our August Fan Focus! To celebrate, GAC put Joe in the hot seat and let YOU, the fans, take over the interview! Thank you to everyone who submitted a question. We selected your most intriguing ones and took them to Joe. Throughout the month, we'll feature a new fan question and Joe's answer each day.

Check back daily for a new question and answer!

Comments (9)

Dream Duet

Take Your Daughter to Work Day

Making It

Fan Love

Carrying On

They Can't Take That Away From Me

European Vacation

Catching a Few ZZZs

Joe Covers Merle

Best Practical Joker in Country Music

It's All Good

Touring Down Under

My Little Girl

Buddy Blake

Would Joe Eat Worms?

No Pressure

Personal Shopper?

Inside Jokes

Remembering Anna Nicole Smith

This Does Not Taste Like Chicken!

Mojito, Por Favor

No Pressure

Hardcore Traditional Country Music

French Trip

A Round of Drinkin' Songs

Joe Nichols & Thriller

In the Year 2027

Merle Haggard, 100% Honest

Fame vs. Freedom

God & Family

Joe Nichols Answers YOUR Questions!

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