Traditional country “Never Gets Old” thanks to Joe Nichols in Madison

Photos by Daniel DeSlover

Touring in support of his tenth studio release, “Never Gets Old,” Joe Nichols stopped by the Orpheum Theater in Madison much to the delight of his dedicated audience. Chicago’s Scott DuBose actually got the room warmed up with an acoustic set, then shortly thereafter, the country veteran worked through 20 songs in 90 minutes accompanied by playful interaction.

Joe Nichols saved his biggest hits and loudest receptions for the back end of the show, including the summer-tinged “Sunny And 75,” the flirtatious “Yeah” and dance-inspiring “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off…”

Opening with the upbeat “What’s a Guy Gotta Do,” Nichols worked through a few sound issues before getting into his groove on the Chris Stapleton-penned “Diamonds Make Babies.” Though he has an extensive, hit-laden catalogue, Nichols also dove into a multitude of covers with a somewhat spontaneous spirit.

“I haven’t done this song much in the last six or seven years, but I did it last night and it felt good,” he recalled before launching into Merle Haggard’s “Footlights.” From there he teased the crowd with “something that started as a joke,” singing an acapella verse of The Carpenters’ “We’ve Only Just Begun,” then segued into a countrified version of Sir Mix-A-Lot’s “Baby Got Back” that quickly went viral when released earlier this year.

He also included additional songs by Hank Williams, Jr., George Strait and Keith Whitley, eventually taking a seat on the edge of the stage during his bittersweet ballad “The Impossible” and patiently posing while fans snapped countless selfies in the process. Nichols saved his biggest hits and loudest receptions for the back end of the show, including the summer-tinged “Sunny And 75,” the flirtatious “Yeah” and dance-inspiring “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off,” which didn’t technically lead to any stripping, but sure did keep everyone on their feet through the very last shot.

Click here for more Joe Nichols photos from the Orpheum Theater.

For additional information on Joe Nichols, visit JoeNichols.com.

For a list of upcoming shows at the Orpheum Theater, visit MadisonOrpheum.com.