Joe Nichols to perform at Warner Robins’ Independence Day Celebration
A few years ago, country singer Joe Nichols nearly started a forest on fire when he and his friends were setting off fireworks on the Fourth of July.
This year, he will take center stage Friday before the fireworks start as he headlines the Independence Day Celebration at McConnell-Talbert Stadium.
Opening for Nichols will be Colby Dee, who is from Warner Robins.
Nichols has a new album coming out this fall and a new song called “Undone.”
Playing in a town with a big military presence is a bonus for the award-winning singer.
“I love our military folks,” he said by phone Thursday.
Several years ago, Nichols traveled to Iraq to meet the troops and perform.
“Only two people died for you. One of those is Jesus and the other is the American soldier. I’m very appreciative of all they’ve done,” he said.
His free concert in Warner Robins will be the same show he is performing all across the U.S. He spoke Thursday from Petaluma, California, where he was preparing for a show that night. He travels with three guitars, a Fender, Breedlove and a Martin.
“Not too fancy but great guitars,” he said.
Some of the accolades he has garnered are four Grammy nominations, six No. 1 songs and the Horizon Award from the Country Music Association.
Nichols, who is from Arkansas, knew he wanted to be a country singer from a young age.
“Maybe when I was around 4,” he said.
He said he grew up watching his father, whom Nichols said was a talented singer, and got the itch to follow in his father’s footsteps.
“I wanted to be like him,” Nichols said.
Before the show, Nichols and his band will get together for a pre-performance ritual. Nichols said the group prays and then plays a few songs acoustically where everyone gets a chance to sing and play a few songs to get in the right frame of mind.
Nichols said he expects the concert to last about 90 minutes.
Gates open at 5:30 p.m. There will be food and drinks available for purchase, as well as drinking stations throughout the venue.
Other Independence Day events happening this week include Hometown Centerville Independence Day Celebration on Thursday from 6-9:30 p.m. at City Hall, 300 E. Church St.
There will be live music by the band A2Z, a fun zone for children and food vendors. The fireworks are scheduled to start at 9:30 p.m.
On Sunday, the Wellston Winds will present a free Star Spangled Concert in the Century of Flight Hangar at the Museum of Aviation.
This story was originally published June 26, 2016 at 3:58 PM with the headline "Joe Nichols to perform at Warner Robins’ Independence Day Celebration."