Joe Nichols

Blessed with a deep, resonate baritone, Joe Nichols kept the flame of traditional country burning through the early years of the 21st century, regularly reaching the top of the Billboard Country Airplay charts throughout the 2000s. His breakthrough arrived in 2002 when "Brokenheartsville" reached number one, establishing how he could modernize old-fashioned honky tonk tropes for contemporary artists. "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off," Nichols' second number one and biggest hit, crystalized that ability and for the next few years, he managed to walk the line between retro st...