There was a short intermission after Brown's performance so the bands could switch equipment and prepared for Joe Nichols' show. The crowd at the stage began to grow filling the entire area in front of the stage in a matter of a few minutes. In addition to the usual crowd of female fans that flock to the stage at Joe's shows, there were many male fans in attendance also crowding towards the front of the stage.
Joe's mix of favorite movie sound clips began playing and the crowd went wild, screaming and chanting "JOE…JOE…JOE" throughout the sound clip and screaming even louder as Joe's band began his introduction song, "Brokenheartsville." Joe entered the stage wearing a white short sleeve shirt over a white t-shirt, jeans with the holes that cause female fans to swoon, a pair of boots and his Patron necklace gifted to him by his fan club. He walked the front of the stage waving and nodding his head to fans through the entire song. We held up our "Joe Nichols or Bust" and "Joexploders on Board" signs, Joe cracked up laughing as he read them. The audience was definitely warmed up and ready for a good time and Joe delivered as usual.
Next Nichols performed "Size Matters," his current single, and "As Country As She Gets" both from his album III. He showed his sense of humor calling out to the female fans at the end of "Size Matters" "Aint that right ladies" followed by dropping his mouth open creating an innocent and shocked look that sent the ladies into screams proving Mr. Nichols knows what his female fans want.
"The Impossible" was performed next followed by Nichols thanking the audience for making that his first number one single, and then he sang "I'll Just Stay Here And Drink," the first Merle Haggard song he learned. The crowd joined in clapping their hands and singing along.
Joe announced that even though everyone in the band knew the next song, they had never performed it together and he hopes that the audience likes it. The band looked a bit skittish but launched into "Old Habits" when Joe gave them a nod. They did an excellent performance of the song which was very impressive given Joe's prior announcement that it was their first time performing it together.
The third Merle Haggard song performed was "Mama Tried." Nichols continued to draw screams, cheers and "OWE" yells as he walked to each side of the very low stage. We held up our "OWE" sign we made to support Joe. Fans couldn't resist the temptation to reach out and touch his arms and legs as he strolled past.
