By: Kyle Ward

After finally returning to the pinnacle of country music with “Gimmie That Girl”, his first chart-topper in 5 years, Joe Nichols now brings us his follow-up “The Shape I’m In”.  The song follows the story of a man attempting to move on after he loses his significant other.  There aren’t a lot of bells and whistles on this track, no grandiose gestures, no crying in his beer, or attempts to get her back (or back at her), just a simple tune about moving on.  And - as Nichols learned from “Gimmie That Girl” -  simple works for him.

The lyrics are somewhat understated, and but quite effective.  When Nichols says that “Freedom caught me on the chin”, and “I’m gettin’ better, at barely getting by” he accurately paints the picture of a man dealing with acceptance.  What really elevates the song is the somewhat sparse production.  Although it gets a bit noisy during the chorus, the distraction is minimal.  The melody is sure to draw comparisons to “Gimmie That Girl”, but it’s the production that sets the songs apart for me.

Overall, Joe Nichols has provided an enjoyable song that, while not overly memorable, should keep him relevant at radio for the rest of 2010.  The laidback feel and catchy melody should play well as summer fades into fall.

Written by Dallas Davidson, Ben Hayslip and Rhett Akins.

Thursday, July 8, 2010 – Joe Nichols just released a new single,The Shape I'm In, as the follow-up to his three-week number one hit Gimmie That Girl.

Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson and Ben Hayslip, otherwise known as the Peach Pickers, penned both songs, which are on Nichols' "Old Things New."

"It's a natural fit," said Nichols. "Same writers and same feel with the production as 'Gimmie that Girl,' plus, I'm a big fan of the Muscle Shoals groove/sound, and this song lends itself to that sound. It also has a 'feeling good' lyric. Definitely my kind of song."

Gimmie That Girl became the first single of 2010 to hold the number 1 position on the music charts for three consecutive weeks. Since 2008 6 other artists have had a single last three weeks at the top on the Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart (Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley, Alan Jackson, Jason Aldean, Trace Adkins and Taylor Swift).

For all the outstanding talent showcased at Universal Music Group’s lunchtime event at the Ryman Auditorium during Country Radio Seminar in February, Josh Turner’s performance arguably stood out as the most surprising of all. It wasn’t because of his voice, one of the most identifiable in the business. That tooth-rattling bass was as familiar as it was impressive, prompting Jennifer Nettles to quip during Sugarland’s appearance at that showcase, “I was sitting there thinking, ‘Is there a subway under the Ryman? No, that’s just Josh Turner warming up.’” The surprise stemmed more from Turner’s stage presence. He had stepped into the national spotlight in 2001 with a stunning performance on the Grand Ole Opry of “Long Black Train,” a Turner composition whose serious, spiritual essence was reinforced by the chilling depth of his resonance and a tendency toward shyness in his early interviews. But the Josh Turner onstage during CRS was anything but serious. He introduced his upcoming single, “All Over Me,” a summertime romp written by Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson and Ben Hayslip, and spent as much time talking as he did singing and displaying a sense of humor with an impression of Ralph Stanley covering Nelly’s hip-hop hit “Hot in Herre.” When invited several weeks later to reflect on this more expanded persona, Turner replied, seriously, “If you ask a lot of my family, they will tell you that behind the scenes I am very withdrawn and kind of introverted and just real quiet and laid-back.” Then, with a comic flair, he added, “Normally, it’s because I can’t get a word in!”

By: Kyle Ward

After finally returning to the pinnacle of country music with “Gimmie That Girl”, his first chart-topper in 5 years, Joe Nichols now brings us his follow-up “The Shape I’m In”.  The song follows the story of a man attempting to move on after he loses his significant other.  There aren’t a lot of bells and whistles on this track, no grandiose gestures, no crying in his beer, or attempts to get her back (or back at her), just a simple tune about moving on.  And - as Nichols learned from “Gimmie That Girl” -  simple works for him.

The lyrics are somewhat understated, and but quite effective.  When Nichols says that “Freedom caught me on the chin”, and “I’m gettin’ better, at barely getting by” he accurately paints the picture of a man dealing with acceptance.  What really elevates the song is the somewhat sparse production.  Although it gets a bit noisy during the chorus, the distraction is minimal.  The melody is sure to draw comparisons to “Gimmie That Girl”, but it’s the production that sets the songs apart for me.

Overall, Joe Nichols has provided an enjoyable song that, while not overly memorable, should keep him relevant at radio for the rest of 2010.  The laidback feel and catchy melody should play well as summer fades into fall.

Written by Dallas Davidson, Ben Hayslip and Rhett Akins.

Thursday, July 8, 2010 – Joe Nichols just released a new single,The Shape I'm In, as the follow-up to his three-week number one hit Gimmie That Girl.

Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson and Ben Hayslip, otherwise known as the Peach Pickers, penned both songs, which are on Nichols' "Old Things New."

"It's a natural fit," said Nichols. "Same writers and same feel with the production as 'Gimmie that Girl,' plus, I'm a big fan of the Muscle Shoals groove/sound, and this song lends itself to that sound. It also has a 'feeling good' lyric. Definitely my kind of song."

Gimmie That Girl became the first single of 2010 to hold the number 1 position on the music charts for three consecutive weeks. Since 2008 6 other artists have had a single last three weeks at the top on the Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart (Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley, Alan Jackson, Jason Aldean, Trace Adkins and Taylor Swift).

For all the outstanding talent showcased at Universal Music Group’s lunchtime event at the Ryman Auditorium during Country Radio Seminar in February, Josh Turner’s performance arguably stood out as the most surprising of all. It wasn’t because of his voice, one of the most identifiable in the business. That tooth-rattling bass was as familiar as it was impressive, prompting Jennifer Nettles to quip during Sugarland’s appearance at that showcase, “I was sitting there thinking, ‘Is there a subway under the Ryman? No, that’s just Josh Turner warming up.’” The surprise stemmed more from Turner’s stage presence. He had stepped into the national spotlight in 2001 with a stunning performance on the Grand Ole Opry of “Long Black Train,” a Turner composition whose serious, spiritual essence was reinforced by the chilling depth of his resonance and a tendency toward shyness in his early interviews. But the Josh Turner onstage during CRS was anything but serious. He introduced his upcoming single, “All Over Me,” a summertime romp written by Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson and Ben Hayslip, and spent as much time talking as he did singing and displaying a sense of humor with an impression of Ralph Stanley covering Nelly’s hip-hop hit “Hot in Herre.” When invited several weeks later to reflect on this more expanded persona, Turner replied, seriously, “If you ask a lot of my family, they will tell you that behind the scenes I am very withdrawn and kind of introverted and just real quiet and laid-back.” Then, with a comic flair, he added, “Normally, it’s because I can’t get a word in!”