Nichols talks about some 'Real Things'

By Crystal Hohenthaner, Journal staff | Friday, September 12, 2008

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Joe Nichols will perform Sunday, Aug. 17, at the Central States Fair. With his enchanting Southern drawl and quirky sense of humor, Nichols took some time to discuss his artistic process, musical tastes and love of performing for real people.

Have you ever been to Rapid City or South Dakota before?

I believe we got rained out there last year. That was my only experience there.

Is there anything you’re really looking forward to in Rapid?

A sunny day and a dry show. No, seriously, it’s a beautiful state; I wish more people knew about it. But then it’s probably better that way. Once a lot of people find out about something beautiful, they usually find a way to tear it down.

Tell me a little bit about your experience recording “Real Things.” This is your fourth professional studio album, right?

I don’t know if you can call really me a pro. This year, I know a lot more than I did when I was doing the first album. There’s always more in there for me. So I don’t know if you could call me a pro, but I think we’re making good records that we would buy and always try to put forth high-quality music.

Do you have a favorite song off the new album?

I think any artist who’s trying to sell an album is gonna say that they love all the songs on the record, and I probably shouldn’t admit this, but I do like some of the songs better than others.

I mean some of the songs just mean different things to me — deeper things. For example, “My Whisky Years” has a very deep private meaning for me and “It Ain’t No Crime” has a very different meaning for me than a lot of people might think.

But I do really like all the songs. If I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t want it on the record. It’s been a goal of ours to put forth an album we would want to buy. So we don’t put out filler songs. Now that’s a crime.

At your show, should I expect to hear just “Real Things,” or will it be a mix of all four of your albums?

We’ll do all the stuff people have heard on the radio. That’s what brings them to the show, after all. But I think we’ll mix in some of the new stuff. Hopefully we’ll be able to have some brand new things that we’ve been working on while we’re out here on the road. We play traditional country music and we make sure people get their money’s worth — or at least we try. Plus we’ll throw in some silly stuff.

Who are some of your favorite artists?

It’s gonna sound like a list a lot of people would give you, but it’s the truth. My top five all-time favorites are Merle Haggard, Hank Williams Jr., George Straight, Alan Jackson and Keith Whitley. Those guys just fought in the face of the swing of the pendulum toward pop.

Your biography described you as neo-traditional country style. What’s that?

I hate to say my music fits into another person’s style, but those guys taught me how to sing. So anything I do is a tribute to them. They taught me my craft, so I’m a lot like those guys. But hopefully, I can add my own personal style to it and be unique

Have you performed at a lot of fairs?

We’ve done quite a bit in the summertime, whether it be county or state fairs. We do a lot of festivals. I think state fairs really are the heart of the country music audience. You know, people who have normal lives. I like to sing about them and they love to hear the songs that sing about them.

What sort of things do you like to do one your days off? Are you one of those musicians that are constantly playing an instrument?

On my days off, huh? Well, I like to get really frustrated, hit the ground, swing a club at a little ball and scream a whole lot all in one day.

So, golf?

I guess you could call that golf.

Your visit to Rapid is part of a tour you’re taking of the Midwest. How is the tour going?

We’re calling it the Bologna and Cheese Tour. Yeah, we’re seeing a lot of parts of the country that are gorgeous and meeting a lot of interesting people. I haven’t gone rafting, yet. I’m supposed to go soon … maybe when I get to Rapid.

Well, you probably won’t get to do much of it up here. Rapid City doesn’t really have rapids.

What, there’s no rapids in Rapid City? … What a misleading name.

Is there anything else you’d like to add about your career or your music?

I’d like to talk about my new whitewater rafting business I’m gonna start up there in Rapid City. … Just kidding. Nah, we just want folks to come out and enjoy the show.

Ha, ha. My wife is rolling her eyes at me.

If you go

What: Joe Nichols and the Red Willow Band in concert

When: 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17,

Where: Central States Fair grandstand

Cost: General admission tickets are $38. Weeklong grandstand passes are available at several prices.

For more information, go to www.centralstatesfair.com.

Other fair concerts

y Miranda Lambert with Ashton Shepherd, 7 p.m., Monday, Aug. 18

y Honky Tonk Tailgate Party with Mark Wills, Trent Willmon, Buddy Jewel and Ray Scott, 7 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 19

y Jason Aldean with the Road Hammers, 7 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 20