By Andrew W. Griffin

Red Dirt Report, editor

Posted: November 5, 2009

reddirtreporter@gmail.com

OKLAHOMA CITY – Although the Wormy Dog Saloon normally hosts singers and bands involved in the Texas/Red Dirt scene, occasionally a performer from the Nashville side of the country music spectrum will make an appearance. For instance, newcomer Jamey Johnson, who performed there a year ago.

So, when we heard Grammy nominated (four times!) country singer Joe Nichols was holding a CD release party at the Wormy Dog on Wednesday night, we had to check it out.

The crowd was small, particularly for a guy who can boast having had a couple of number one singles this decade. Still, the intimate environment seemed strangely appropriate, almost like a movie set.

First, Nichols looked great, up there cradling his acoustic guitar. He seemed really glad to be there. Plus, his crack six-piece backing band appeared as if they were made for the gritty Wormy Dog stage.

So, why is Joe Nichols in a smaller venue this go ‘round, touring in support of his new album Old Things New? Well, Nichols has been very open about his struggles with the bottle and the problems that came along with that. But he got sober, got hitched and came out with a terrific album of more traditional-oriented country songs. So, it really makes sense to start over in a place like the Wormy Dog.

And right at 9:30 p.m., Nichols and the band were on stage and playing their rousing cover of the Aaron Lines song “Let’s Get Drunk and Fight.” He may be sober but he can tear into a drinking song with vigor.

The upbeat, Cajun-flavored “What’s a Guy Gotta Do,” a Top 10 tune from 2005, was next followed by his current single, “Gimmie That Girl.”

Red Dirt Report worked hard to get an interview with Nichols, but the day we wanted to talk to him, he was making a video for “Gimmie That Girl.” His publicist told us that we might have better luck with any interview next time. Oh well. Anyway, he noted that the day before he spent “18 hours” making this new video. Can’t wait to see it.

“Thank you for buying this record and coming out tonight,” Nichols said on several occasions, even joking that he was competing with AC/DC, who were down the street at the Ford Center as part of their “Black Ice” tour.

The new “Cheaper Than A Shrink” is a slice of honky-tonk fun and had the Arkansan with the rich baritone really getting into the song. His next song, “Size Matters (Someday),” had the crowd singing along as Nichols mugged and smiled and at the end of the song slyly added, “Ain’t that right, ladies?”

Nichols and the band had the crowd warmed up. This is where he told them that he appreciates traditional country music and Merle Haggard in particular. So, he gets the band playing Hag’s “Make Up and Faded Blue Jeans.” And just as he finishes, he says he wants to play a new song. But then he appears to change his mind and calls for a “D” from his guitarist.

He starts playing the chord and then smiles – it’s Hag’s big hit “Okie From Muskogee.” It had the whole place singing along and excited. Steel guitar player Dean Holman really twanged it up for us.

“The Shape I’m In” was next and then he went back into cover territory with ZZ Top’s “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide.” The band was really having a blast and Nichols was giving it his all this night.

The last portion of the concert included a slower, acoustic-oriented set including “I’ll Wait For You” and “She Only Smokes When She Drinks.”

But things ended on a high note with the driving twang of “Comin’ Back In a Cadillac,”  the rockin’ “It Ain’t No Crime” with drummer Wes Little’s interesting drum rhythms.

Nichols closed out with his two number one hits – 2003’s “Brokenheartsville” and his smash “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off.”

It was a little disappointing that more people didn’t show up at the Wormy Dog. Maybe it did have something to do with the AC/DC show. Either way, Joe Nichols is a class act and his new album, Old Things New, is dynamite. A review of the album by your Red Dirt Reporter will be appearing here and in The Norman Transcript in the next week or so.

For more information and tour dates go to www.joenichols.com.

Copyright 2009 West Marie Media