The Sangamon County Fair featuring Joe Nichols was the eleventh Joe Nichols show that I have attended since February 2006. This rising country artist has developed a stage presence that draws audience participation as he shares not only his deep baritone voice, but his sense of humor and humorous facial expressions with his audience.
The Bellamy Brothers opened for Nichols at the New Berlin, IL fair on Saturday, June 17, 2006. I was lucky enough to get a place standing in the front row slightly off to the left of center stage. Joe took the stage after an audio tape complied of clips from his favorite movies ended and his band broke into "Brokenheartsville," a #1 single for the artist.
Nichols next song and current single to hit the charts from his album III was "Size Matters." Joe ended "Size Matters" yelling out to the audience, "Size Matters…isn't that right ladies" following up his comment with a shocked open mouth expression that sends the crowd of lady fans into screams and cheers. Nichols continued his performance with "As Country As She Gets" also from the III album, "The Impossible" and "I'll Just Stay Here and Drink," a song Nichols claims to be the first song he learned to sing at age 4. "Mom is so proud." He chuckled.
Announcing Merle Haggard has been and continues to be a big influence Nichols sings his father's favorite song by Haggard "Footlights," following with "Mama Tried." Nichols continues his show performing "Cool to Be A Fool" and "She Only Smokes When She Drinks." He requests the audience hold up their lighters or cell phones and sway them in the air. Nichols laughs commenting, "This looks like a Verizon commercial."
Then Joe sang "I'll Wait For You," the newest single to be released from III..Tears streamed down my cheeks at the genuine emotion Joe expressed not only through his amazing voice but also through his facial expressions that conveyed deep feeling and sensitivity.
Next, Nichols added some upbeat sing-a-long songs, such as "Country Boys Can Survive," "Good Ole Boys," "Back in Black", "Family Tradition," and "What's a Guy Gotta Do." Joe's performance kept the crowd on their feet and girls climbing the fence to get closer to this four time Grammy nominee who wore a Hank Williams Jr. concert jersey, torn jeans and weathered boots.
Joe closed his set with his newest #1 single "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off." Nichols strolled to the far end of the right side of the stage as the fans begin to throw all sorts of under garments, clothes, shoes and even a dollar bill tied to a bra and shoe on the stage unbeknown to Nichols. As Joe turned to move to the other side of the stage, his expression seeing the stage littered with under garment was priceless. More bras and panties flew through the air at Joe as he walked across the stage. He stopped in front of me and extended his right hand waving for me to toss my usual red bra to him, which I did. He caught it and hung it from the neck of his guitar until the song ended. Then Joe left the stage but returned a few minutes later to appease the fans' that were screams and chanting his name. He performed "Whiskey River," "Long Haired Country Boy," and closed with "Blues Man."
Mr. Nichols deep baritone voice, sense of humor, good looks and dedication to traditional country music continues to draw bigger crowds of fans to his shows. It has been an honor and a pleasure to watch the growth and progression of the Joe Nichols' shows and performances through this first part of 2006. If Nichols continues to grow and develop his musical talent, performance and stage presence at his current rate, the rest of this year looks to be an exceptional and promising year for Joe and his fans.
Joe's show set included the following songs
- Brokenheartsville
- Size Matters
- As Country As She Gets
- The Impossible
- I Think I'll Just Stay Here And Drink
- Footlights
- Mama Tried
- Cool To Be A Fool
- She Only Smokes When She Drinks
- I'll Wait For You
- Country Boys Can Survive
- Good Ole Boys
- Back in Black
- Family Tradition
- What's a Guy Gotta Do
- Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off
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Encore:
- Whiskey River
- Long Haired Country Boy
- Blues Man
