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Music is a healer, at least for rising country star Joe Nichols. It has gotten him through some extremely rough times. Now the country music traditionalist has released his third album, "III," and unlike his first two, Nichol's says this disc "shows my other side - which is funny and fun-loving."

"The 11 tracks on "III" include songs written by fellow artists Steve Earle, Billy Currington, Bill Anderson, Harley Allen and Mark Nesler as well as two by Nichols. The first single, "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off," represents the contention that, according to Nichols, "Everybody has a tequila story." What's his? "I honestly have too many to tell to just pick one, " the singer says laughing. "For those of you who have been with me, I apologize. For those who have not been with me, consider yourself lucky."

It may seem unusual that the tall, handsome 27-year-old in the stylish attire is unabashedly first and foremost a carrier of the traditional music torch. "Every night someone will tell me, 'Your look doesn't fit your sound,'" Nichols says. "Looks can be deceiving. I grew up on die-hard traditional country music and that is what I want to sing. Hopefully, that results in new people coming to the format; I hope I can carry the tradition on to a new generation."
from GACTV.com

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