We arrived early, 10:00 am at the Nashville Palace for the noon Joe Nichols' fan club party. Fans were already sitting around at the tables outside waiting for the doors of the Palace to open to the public.
For this year's fan gift, Nichols' fans created a living memorial fund set up through the Coalition For Pulmonary Fibrosis (CFPF) in Joe's dad's name calling the fund the Mike Nichols Fund Of Hope. Joe's father, Mike passed away in July 2002 after struggling with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). There is currently no cure or treatment for IPF. Joe fans set up this fund to honor Mike Nichols' life as well as bring additional public awareness to his terrible disease. In addition, many Joe fans also suffer from pulmonary illnesses or have lost family members or friends to pulmonary diseases. This fund brings to the forefront yet another connection Nichols has with his fans.
Inside of the Palace on one of the front tables, Joe's gift card was laid out with photos Joe fans had sent of family members and friends that suffer from or have passed away from a pulmonary disease. On the front of the giant hand-made card was an 8 X 10 of Nichols with his dad, Mike taken at Joe's first Grand Ole Opry appearance the Spring before Mike passed.
As the fans entered the Palace we greeted each other with hugs and for me it was like an extended family reunion. It was wonderful to see so many people coming together from not only the US but from all over the world and becoming friends through their common enjoyment and dedication to this rising baritone country artist.
The food line seemed endless, but was fun to see everyone interacting and so anxious and excited as they waited for Joe to come in from his bus. It was like watching my kids wait for Santa to arrive. Sharon Eaves, Nichols' fan club president outdid herself with this year's menu of shredded BBQ pork on buns, cole slaw and baked beans along with soda and tea. Also Nichols fan club members received a set of autographed guitar picks as a fan club gift.
I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Teresa Geiger from CFPF. She is a wonderful woman who has also lost her father to IPF. Before long, Joe was introduced by the XM radio DJ, as Joe's party was being streamed and aired on XM Highway 16. Joe greeted everyone as he entered the stage bringing fans to their feet and applause filled the Palace.
Joe started his party singing "Joe's Place," and then sang a Merle Haggard song that his fans repeated request, "Misery & Gin." Joe sat on the edge of the stage treating his fans to a question and answer segments between song performances. Some of the questions Joe was asked where about singing at Anne Nicole's funeral, if he wears boxers or briefs, who he'd like to have as a duet partner and if he's single.
Nichols was hilarious in his answers sharing that great sense of humor he's known for and his fans adore. Except for his answer relating to the question about Anne Nicole where he became serious. He explained when he was asked he didn't want to be part of everything going on in that situation but after talking with good friend, Brent Rowan and his mom, Joe decided to do the songs to try to bring out something positive since Anne Nicole had became such a big fan of his. He stated something like he could never live with himself if he profitted from that situation. Another fan, Fran the Joe fan stated that she can't say enough about the respect she has for Joe for not talking with the media afterwards. The rest of Joe's fans applauded, Nichols appeared touched and thanked her and everyone else. It was obvious Joe fans understand, respect, appreciate and support his intention. Yet another remarkable connection Nichols has made with his fans.
Some of the other songs Joe performed were "That Would Be Her," "Another Side Of You," his current single, "I'll Wait For You," "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off," "Brokenheartsville," and "The Impossible" not in that exact sequence. He also treated his fans to a new song he wrote, that will be on his new album Real Things due to be released August 21st, called "Let's Get Drunk and Fight."
During Joe's set, Teresa Geiger was introduced and talked about IPF. Then Teresa presented Joe with the fans gift of the living memorial called the Mike Nichols Fund Of Hope. In addition, she handed Joe a binder full of information and statistics about IPF and CFPF and fan donation letters and pictures. Melissa Everett presented Joe with the fan card. Nichols appeared to be deeply touched and moved by the gift from his fans as he thanked them.
After the presentation and Nichols set, fans lined up for Meet and Greet sessions with Joe. Fans that donated to the Mike Nichols Fund Of Hope had also purchased yellow roses to present to Nichols during their meeting with him. Joe received two buckets full of yellow roses. Nichols met with everyone that attended the party that wanted to meet him. Joe posed in a variety of positions at the request of his fans. He was a great sport to spend about 4 and 1/2 hours meeting with what I've been told was about 800 fans. The meet & greet sessions extended into the set up and performance for Gene Watson but Nichols always thinking of and putting his fans first agreed to continue and finish meeting with the remaining fans outside in front of the Palace. Once again, Nichols delivers to his fans going above and beyond to meet with everyone. No wonder he is so respected and endeared in the heart of his fans.
