Man with a Memory

Man with a Memory is the second studio album and major-label debut by American country music artist Joe Nichols. It was released on July 23, 2002, by Universal South Records. The album was produced by long-time session guitarist Brent Rowan as his first production credit.

Four singles were released: "The Impossible", "Brokenheartsville" (his first number one), "She Only Smokes When She Drinks", and "Cool to Be a Fool".^[3] It was certified platinum by the RIAA on August 17, 2017, and received a Grammy nomination for Best Country Album in 2003.

Background

After the release of Nichols' self-titled debut in 1996, Intersound Records folded, and a subsequent stint with Giant Records led to no releases.^[4] Nichols was stuck in day jobs, including a cable installer, a steak salesman, a furniture mover, and a bartender.^[4] In 1999, after meeting notable session guitarist Brent Rowan, Nichols was able to be the first signing to the newly formed Universal South Records, which was formed by longtime Nashville executives Tony Brown and Tim DuBois.^[4] The album was the first production credit for Rowan, and recording began in February 2000.^[4][5]

"Everything's a Thing" was originally recorded by Craig Morgan on his 2000 self-titled debut album. "Life Don't Have to Mean Nothing at All" was recorded by Tom T. Hall on his 1997 album Home Grown.^[6]

Critical reception and commercial performance

Man with a Memory peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart in April 2003.^[5] The album was also nominated for Best Country Album in the 45th Annual Grammy Awards, while the album's lead single, "The Impossible", was nominated for Best Country Song.^[5] Nichols also won the Horizon Award, now known as the Country Music Association Award for New Artist of the Year, at the 2003 Country Music Association Awards following the album's release.^[7]

William Ruhlmann of AllMusic gave the album two and a half stars out of five, criticizing the album's material as "mediocrity".^[1] Jim Patterson, an Associated Press journalist, gave Nichols a three-and-a-half-star out of five rating, comparing him to David Ball, and the criticism was aimed at the slick production.^[2][8] Nick Cristiano of The Philadelphia Inquirer called Nichols "experienced beyond his years" and said the album's material was similar to that of Merle Haggard.^[9]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.^[10]

Musicians

• Joe Nichols – lead vocals, background vocals (all tracks)
• Shannon Forrest – drums (tracks 1–5, 7–11)
• David Hungate – bass (all tracks)
• Brent Rowan – electric guitar (tracks 1–5, 7, 8, 10, 12), acoustic guitar (1, 3, 4, 8, 12), 12-string guitar (1, 6), baritone guitar (3, 8), background vocals (5), gut-string guitar, hi-string guitar (6)
• Eric Darken – percussion (tracks 1–4, 6, 8, 10, 12)
• Tim Lauer – keyboards (tracks 1, 8, 12), Rhodes piano (2), organ (3–7, 9, 10), accordion (6, 7), mellotron (6)
• Liana Manis – background vocals (tracks 1, 4, 8, 10)
• Harry Stinson – background vocals (tracks 1, 4, 8)
• Bryan Sutton – acoustic guitar (tracks 2, 3, 7, 9–11), mandolin (2, 3), guitar (5), banjo (7)
• Aubrey Haynie – fiddle (tracks 2, 3, 7, 9, 10)
• Mike Johnson – pedal steel guitar (track 2)
• Vince Gill – background vocals (tracks 2, 11)
• Gordon Mote – piano (tracks 3, 7, 9, 10)
• Dan Dugmore – steel guitar (tracks 3, 4, 8)
• Wes Hightower – background vocals (tracks 3, 5–7, 9, 10, 12)
• Vinnie Colaiuta – drums (tracks 6, 12)
• Shane Keister – organ (tracks 6, 12)
• John Hughey – steel guitar (tracks 6, 10)
• Tommy White – steel guitar (track 9)
• Chris Thile – mandolin (track 11)
• Jerry Douglas – dobro (track 11)

Technical

• Brent Rowan – production
• Eric Conn – mastering
• Jonathan Russell – mastering
• Ed Seay – mixing
• Chris Latham – recording
• Ben Fowler – recording
• Doug Johnson – recording
• Dustin Richardson – immersive mixing
• Rodney Dawson – transfer engineer
• David Bryant – assistant recording

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Singles

References

1. ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Man with a Memory review". AllMusic. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
2. ^ "'Man with a Memory' by Joe Nichols". Rockford Register Star. August 11, 2002. p. 5C. Retrieved May 19, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
3. ^ Asker, Jim (March 29, 2017). "Rewinding the Country Charts: In 2003, Joe Nichols Moved to 'Brokenheartsville,' & No. 1". Billboard. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
4. ^ Stewart, Phyllis (August 21, 2003). "Joe Nichols Charts His Success". Lebanon Daily News. p. B1. Retrieved May 19, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
5. ^ Stark, Phyllis (1 February 2003). "Nashville Scene". Billboard. p. 39.
6. ^ Mansfield, Brian (November 12, 2002). "Nichols revisits old country". USA Today. p. 3D. Retrieved May 19, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
7. ^ Susman, Gary (November 6, 2003). "Johnny Cash, Alan Jackson are the big CMA winners". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
8. ^ Patterson, Jim (July 25, 2002). "Joe Nichols "Man with a Memory" (Universal South)". Jacksonville Daily News. p. 8. Retrieved May 19, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
9. ^ Cristiano, Nick (September 6, 2002). "Man with a Memory; Joe Nichols; Universal South". The Oregonian. p. 41. Retrieved May 19, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
10. ^ "Man with a Memory / Joe Nichols / Credits". Tidal. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
11. ^ "Top Country Albums – Year-End 2002". Billboard. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
12. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2003". Billboard. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
13. ^ "Top Country Albums – Year-End 2003". Billboard. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
14. ^ "Top Country Albums – Year-End 2004". Billboard. Retrieved October 27, 2020.