Tim Nichols
Encyclopedia
Tim Nichols
Tim Nichols (born in Portsmouth, Virginia
is an American country music
singer and songwriter. Active since the late 1980s, Nichols has written for several country music singers, including Keith Whitley
, Tim McGraw
, Faith Hill
, Jo Dee Messina
, and Alan Jackson
. He and songwriter Zack Turner recorded one album for BNA Entertainment (now BNA Records
) in 1993 as the duo Turner Nichols
, in addition to charting two singles as one half of that duo. Nichols, along with Craig Wiseman
, earned a Grammy Award
for Best Country Song in 2004, for McGraw's Number One hit "Live Like You Were Dying
".
but his family moved between there and Springfield, Missouri
. While in college, he pursued a broadcasting major, although the college soon dropped their programming. From there, he went to manufacture buckets for the fast-food chain KFC
. Nichols started taking guitar lessons as well, and soon founded a band which played locally. His guitar teacher recommended him to a man who told Nichols that he could find a record deal. The man was a scam artist, however, and Nichols later went to the Attorney General
's office to reclaim the money. After his experience, Nichols was featured in a 60 Minutes
exposé about Nashville scam artists, and helped his local band gain exposure.
Later on, Nichols and his band moved to Nashville, Tennessee
, and by 1984 he had signed to a publishing contract with a company owned by Ronnie Milsap
. At a songwriters' night at the Bluebird Café in Nashville, Nichols met Zack Turner through a friend. The two began writing together, and one of their collaborations, "I'm Over You
", was recorded by Keith Whitley
, whose rendition was a Top Five country hit shortly after his death in 1989. Both artists continued writing for other artists, with Nichols's first cut as a songwriter being "This Time Last Year", which Milsap recorded. Nichols also met Giles Godard, with whom he would later collaborate as well. By the early 1990s, Nichols had also had several more chart singles as a songwriter, including Milsap's "All Is Fair in Love and War", Billy Dean
's "Tryin' to Hide a Fire in the Dark
", and another posthumous release from Whitley, "Brotherly Love" (a duet with Earl Thomas Conley
).
), releasing an album that year as the duo Turner Nichols. This album, co-written almost entirely by the duo, included the singles "Moonlight Drive-In" and "She Loves to Hear Me Rock", both of which charted on the Billboard
and RPM
country charts in the US and Canada, respectively. Turner and Nichols never recorded any other material, although they co-wrote Jo Dee Messina
's 1996 single "You're Not in Kansas Anymore", and Nichols also co-wrote Messina's debut single, "Heads Carolina, Tails California
".
" by Trace Adkins
, "Girls Lie Too
" by Terri Clark
, and "Live Like You Were Dying
" by Tim McGraw
(which preceded "Girls Lie Too" at #1). "Live Like You Were Dying" also earned Nichols and Craig Wiseman
, the song's other co-writer, the Grammy Award for Best Country Song
at the 47th Grammy Awards, as well as the Song of the Year award from the Academy of Country Music
. Nichols and Wiseman also wrote Faith Hill
's "A Baby Changes Everything
", a Number One hit on the Adult Contemporary charts in December 2008. Other artists who have recorded Nichols's material include Tracy Byrd, Alan Jackson
, Patty Loveless
and Lee Ann Womack
.
Tim Nichols (born in Portsmouth, Virginia
Portsmouth, Virginia
Portsmouth is located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of the U.S. Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2010, the city had a total population of 95,535.The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard, is a historic and active U.S...
is an American country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
singer and songwriter. Active since the late 1980s, Nichols has written for several country music singers, including Keith Whitley
Keith Whitley
Jackie Keith Whitley , known professionally as Keith Whitley, was an American country music singer. Whitley's brief career in mainstream country music lasted from 1984 until his death in 1989, but he continues to influence an entire generation of singers and songwriters...
, Tim McGraw
Tim McGraw
Samuel Timothy "Tim" McGraw is an American country singer and actor. Many of McGraw's albums and singles have topped the country music charts with total album sales in excess of 40 million units in the US, making him the eighth best-selling artist, and the third best-selling country singer, in the...
, Faith Hill
Faith Hill
Faith Hill is an American country singer. She is known both for her commercial success and her marriage to fellow country star Tim McGraw. Hill has sold more than 40 million records worldwide and accumulated eight number-one singles and three number-one albums on the U.S...
, Jo Dee Messina
Jo Dee Messina
Jo Dee Marie Messina , known professionally as Jo Dee Messina, is an American country music artist. She has charted nine Number One singles on the Billboard country music charts. She has been honored by the Country Music Association, the Academy of Country Music and has been nominated for two...
, and Alan Jackson
Alan Jackson
Alan Eugene Jackson is an American country music singer, known for blending traditional honky tonk and mainstream country sounds and penning many of his own hits. He has recorded 13 studio albums, 3 Greatest Hits albums, 2 Holiday albums, 1 Gospel album and several compilations, all on the Arista...
. He and songwriter Zack Turner recorded one album for BNA Entertainment (now BNA Records
BNA Records
BNA Records, formerly known as BNA Entertainment, is a label group that shares ties with Arista Nashville and RCA Nashville from parent company Sony Music Nashville, which itself is a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, BNA features country music acts on its roster...
) in 1993 as the duo Turner Nichols
Turner Nichols
-Track listing:All tracks co-written by Zack Turner and Tim Nichols; other co-writers in parentheses.#"Moonlight Drive-In" – 3:19#"Come Saturday Night" – 2:59#"She Loves to Hear Me Rock" – 2:39#"Stop Right There" – 3:22...
, in addition to charting two singles as one half of that duo. Nichols, along with Craig Wiseman
Craig Wiseman
Craig Michael Wiseman is an American country music songwriter. Active since the late 1980s as a songwriter, he has had his songs recorded by Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Kenny Chesney, LeAnn Rimes, and several other acts....
, earned a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
for Best Country Song in 2004, for McGraw's Number One hit "Live Like You Were Dying
Live Like You Were Dying (song)
"Live Like You Were Dying" is a song written by Tim Nichols and Craig Wiseman and performed by American country music artist Tim McGraw. The song appears on his Live Like You Were Dying album. It reached #1 on the U.S. Billboard country music charts, and held that position for a total of seven...
".
Biography
Nichols was born in Portsmouth, VirginiaPortsmouth, Virginia
Portsmouth is located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of the U.S. Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2010, the city had a total population of 95,535.The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard, is a historic and active U.S...
but his family moved between there and Springfield, Missouri
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
. While in college, he pursued a broadcasting major, although the college soon dropped their programming. From there, he went to manufacture buckets for the fast-food chain KFC
KFC
KFC, founded and also known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, is a chain of fast food restaurants based in Louisville, Kentucky, in the United States. KFC has been a brand and operating segment, termed a concept of Yum! Brands since 1997 when that company was spun off from PepsiCo as Tricon Global...
. Nichols started taking guitar lessons as well, and soon founded a band which played locally. His guitar teacher recommended him to a man who told Nichols that he could find a record deal. The man was a scam artist, however, and Nichols later went to the Attorney General
Attorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
's office to reclaim the money. After his experience, Nichols was featured in a 60 Minutes
60 Minutes
60 Minutes is an American television news magazine, which has run on CBS since 1968. The program was created by producer Don Hewitt who set it apart by using a unique style of reporter-centered investigation....
exposé about Nashville scam artists, and helped his local band gain exposure.
Later on, Nichols and his band moved to Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
, and by 1984 he had signed to a publishing contract with a company owned by Ronnie Milsap
Ronnie Milsap
Ronnie Lee Milsap is an American country music singer and pianist. He was one of country’s most popular and influential performers of the 1970s and 1980s...
. At a songwriters' night at the Bluebird Café in Nashville, Nichols met Zack Turner through a friend. The two began writing together, and one of their collaborations, "I'm Over You
I'm Over You (Keith Whitley song)
"I'm Over You" is a single by American country music artist Keith Whitley. Posthumously released in January 1990, it was the third single from the album I Wonder Do You Think of Me. The song reached #3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. In 2010, country artist Chris Young...
", was recorded by Keith Whitley
Keith Whitley
Jackie Keith Whitley , known professionally as Keith Whitley, was an American country music singer. Whitley's brief career in mainstream country music lasted from 1984 until his death in 1989, but he continues to influence an entire generation of singers and songwriters...
, whose rendition was a Top Five country hit shortly after his death in 1989. Both artists continued writing for other artists, with Nichols's first cut as a songwriter being "This Time Last Year", which Milsap recorded. Nichols also met Giles Godard, with whom he would later collaborate as well. By the early 1990s, Nichols had also had several more chart singles as a songwriter, including Milsap's "All Is Fair in Love and War", Billy Dean
Billy Dean
William Harold "Billy" Dean, Jr. is an American country music singer and songwriter. Billy Dean first gained national attention after appearing on the television talent competition Star Search...
's "Tryin' to Hide a Fire in the Dark
Tryin' to Hide a Fire in the Dark
"Tryin' to Hide a Fire in the Dark" is the title of a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Billy Dean. It was released in November 1992 as the first single from Dean's album Fire in the Dark. The song reached #6 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in March...
", and another posthumous release from Whitley, "Brotherly Love" (a duet with Earl Thomas Conley
Earl Thomas Conley
Earl Thomas Conley is an American country music singer-songwriter. Between 1980 and 2003, he recorded ten studio albums, including seven for the RCA Records label. In the 1980s and into the 1990s, Conley also charted more than thirty singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, of which...
).
Turner Nichols
Turner and Nichols signed in 1993 to a recording contract with BNA Entertainment (now known as BNA RecordsBNA Records
BNA Records, formerly known as BNA Entertainment, is a label group that shares ties with Arista Nashville and RCA Nashville from parent company Sony Music Nashville, which itself is a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, BNA features country music acts on its roster...
), releasing an album that year as the duo Turner Nichols. This album, co-written almost entirely by the duo, included the singles "Moonlight Drive-In" and "She Loves to Hear Me Rock", both of which charted on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
and RPM
RPM (magazine)
RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,...
country charts in the US and Canada, respectively. Turner and Nichols never recorded any other material, although they co-wrote Jo Dee Messina
Jo Dee Messina
Jo Dee Marie Messina , known professionally as Jo Dee Messina, is an American country music artist. She has charted nine Number One singles on the Billboard country music charts. She has been honored by the Country Music Association, the Academy of Country Music and has been nominated for two...
's 1996 single "You're Not in Kansas Anymore", and Nichols also co-wrote Messina's debut single, "Heads Carolina, Tails California
Heads Carolina, Tails California
"Heads Carolina, Tails California" is the title of a song written by Tim Nichols and Mark D. Sanders and recorded by American country artist Jo Dee Messina. The song was released in January 1996 as her debut single and served as the lead-off single for her self-titled debut album. The song reached...
".
Mid-1990s-present
Since the disbanding of Turner Nichols, Nichols continued to write songs, often with Giles Godard or Mark D. Sanders. Three of Nichols's songs have become Number One hits on the country charts: "(This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing(This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing
" No Thinkin' Thing" is a single by country music singer Trace Adkins. Released as the third single released from his debut album, Dreamin' Out Loud, the single reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, marking his first Number One single.-Content:" No Thinkin' Thing" is...
" by Trace Adkins
Trace Adkins
Tracy Darrell "Trace" Adkins is an American country music artist. He made his debut in 1996 with the album Dreamin' Out Loud, released on Capitol Records Nashville. Since then, Adkins has released seven more studio albums and two Greatest Hits compilations...
, "Girls Lie Too
Girls Lie Too
"Girls Lie Too" is the title of a song recorded by country music singer Terri Clark, and was released in April 2004 as a single to promote her Greatest Hits album...
" by Terri Clark
Terri Clark
Terri Lynn Sauson , known professionally as Terri Clark, is a Canadian country music artist who has had success in both Canada and the United States. Signed to Mercury Records in 1995, she released her self-titled debut that year...
, and "Live Like You Were Dying
Live Like You Were Dying (song)
"Live Like You Were Dying" is a song written by Tim Nichols and Craig Wiseman and performed by American country music artist Tim McGraw. The song appears on his Live Like You Were Dying album. It reached #1 on the U.S. Billboard country music charts, and held that position for a total of seven...
" by Tim McGraw
Tim McGraw
Samuel Timothy "Tim" McGraw is an American country singer and actor. Many of McGraw's albums and singles have topped the country music charts with total album sales in excess of 40 million units in the US, making him the eighth best-selling artist, and the third best-selling country singer, in the...
(which preceded "Girls Lie Too" at #1). "Live Like You Were Dying" also earned Nichols and Craig Wiseman
Craig Wiseman
Craig Michael Wiseman is an American country music songwriter. Active since the late 1980s as a songwriter, he has had his songs recorded by Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Kenny Chesney, LeAnn Rimes, and several other acts....
, the song's other co-writer, the Grammy Award for Best Country Song
Grammy Award for Best Country Song
The Grammy Award for Best Country Song has been awarded since 1965. The award is given to the writer of the song.There have been several minor changes to the name of the award:...
at the 47th Grammy Awards, as well as the Song of the Year award from the Academy of Country Music
Academy of Country Music
The Academy of Country Music was founded in 1964 in Los Angeles, California as the Country & Western Music Academy. Whereas the Country Music Association, founded in 1958, was based in Nashville, the Academy sought to promote country music in the western states. Among those involved in the...
. Nichols and Wiseman also wrote Faith Hill
Faith Hill
Faith Hill is an American country singer. She is known both for her commercial success and her marriage to fellow country star Tim McGraw. Hill has sold more than 40 million records worldwide and accumulated eight number-one singles and three number-one albums on the U.S...
's "A Baby Changes Everything
A Baby Changes Everything
"A Baby Changes Everything" is a song by American country singer Faith Hill. It was the first single released from her album Joy to the World...
", a Number One hit on the Adult Contemporary charts in December 2008. Other artists who have recorded Nichols's material include Tracy Byrd, Alan Jackson
Alan Jackson
Alan Eugene Jackson is an American country music singer, known for blending traditional honky tonk and mainstream country sounds and penning many of his own hits. He has recorded 13 studio albums, 3 Greatest Hits albums, 2 Holiday albums, 1 Gospel album and several compilations, all on the Arista...
, Patty Loveless
Patty Loveless
Patty Loveless , is an American country music singer.Since her emergence on the country music scene in late 1986 with her first album, Loveless has been one of the most popular female singers of the Neotraditional country movement, although she has also recorded albums in the Country pop and...
and Lee Ann Womack
Lee Ann Womack
Lee Ann Womack is an American country music singer and songwriter, who is best known for her old fashioned-styled country music songs that often discuss subjects such as cheating and lost love....
.
List of singles written by Tim Nichols
Nichols co-wrote the following singles:- Trace Adkins – "(This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing(This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing" No Thinkin' Thing" is a single by country music singer Trace Adkins. Released as the third single released from his debut album, Dreamin' Out Loud, the single reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, marking his first Number One single.-Content:" No Thinkin' Thing" is...
" - Tracy Byrd – "When Mama Ain't Happy"
- Terri Clark – "I Wanna Do It AllI Wanna Do It All"I Wanna Do It All" is the title of a song recorded by Canadian country music artist Terri Clark. It was released in August 2003 as the third single from her 2003 album, Pain to Kill...
", "Girls Lie TooGirls Lie Too"Girls Lie Too" is the title of a song recorded by country music singer Terri Clark, and was released in April 2004 as a single to promote her Greatest Hits album...
" - John Corbett – "Good to Go"
- Billy DeanBilly DeanWilliam Harold "Billy" Dean, Jr. is an American country music singer and songwriter. Billy Dean first gained national attention after appearing on the television talent competition Star Search...
– "Tryin' to Hide a Fire in the Dark" - Ricky Lynn GreggRicky Lynn GreggRicky Lynn Gregg is a country music artist of Native American descent. Active between the years of 1993 and 2001, he has recorded three studio albums: two on Liberty Records and one on Row Music Group...
– "Careful What You Wish For" - Ty HerndonTy HerndonBoyd Tyrone "Ty" Herndon is an American country music and Christian singer. Signed to Epic Records in 1995, Herndon made his debut that year with the Number One single "What Mattered Most", followed by the release of his first album, also entitled What Mattered Most...
– "Mighty Mighty Love" - Faith HillFaith HillFaith Hill is an American country singer. She is known both for her commercial success and her marriage to fellow country star Tim McGraw. Hill has sold more than 40 million records worldwide and accumulated eight number-one singles and three number-one albums on the U.S...
– "A Baby Changes EverythingA Baby Changes Everything"A Baby Changes Everything" is a song by American country singer Faith Hill. It was the first single released from her album Joy to the World...
" - Alan JacksonAlan JacksonAlan Eugene Jackson is an American country music singer, known for blending traditional honky tonk and mainstream country sounds and penning many of his own hits. He has recorded 13 studio albums, 3 Greatest Hits albums, 2 Holiday albums, 1 Gospel album and several compilations, all on the Arista...
– "That'd Be AlrightThat'd Be Alright"That'd Be Alright" is the title of a song written by Tia Sillers, Tim Nichols and Mark D. Sanders, and recorded by American country music artist Alan Jackson. It was released in December 2002 as the fourth and final single his album Drive. The song reached the Top 5 on the U.S...
" - Sarah Johns – "He Hates Me"
- David KershDavid KershDavid Kersh is an American country music singer who made his debut in 1996. His first album, Goodnight Sweetheart, was released that year, producing four singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts. A second album, titled If I Never Stop Loving You, was released a year later,...
– "Something to Think About" - Sammy KershawSammy KershawSamuel Paul "Sammy" Kershaw is an American country music artist. A third cousin of Cajun fiddler Doug Kershaw and ex-husband of Lorrie Morgan, he has been active in country music since 1991. He has released ten studio albums, with three RIAA platinum certifications and two gold certifications...
– "Vidalia" - Shannon LawsonShannon Lawson (singer)Shannon Lawson is an American country music artist. He is also a member of the MuzikMafia, a collection of country musicians known for their "music without prejudice"....
– "Dream Your Way to Me" - Patty LovelessPatty LovelessPatty Loveless , is an American country music singer.Since her emergence on the country music scene in late 1986 with her first album, Loveless has been one of the most popular female singers of the Neotraditional country movement, although she has also recorded albums in the Country pop and...
– "That's the Kind of Mood I'm InThat's the Kind of Mood I'm In"That's the Kind of Mood I'm In" is a single recorded by Patty Loveless. It was included on her fifth album with Epic Records, Strong Heart, her tenth album overall. The single was released in 2000. It was the first single released from the album....
" - Reba McEntireReba McEntireReba Nell McEntire is an American country music artist and actress. She began her career in the music industry as a high school student singing in the Kiowa High School band , on local radio shows with her siblings, and at rodeos. As a solo act, she was invited to perform at a rodeo in Oklahoma...
– "I'd Rather Ride Around with You" - Tim McGraw – "Live Like You Were Dying"
- Jo Dee Messina – "Heads Carolina, Tails CaliforniaHeads Carolina, Tails California"Heads Carolina, Tails California" is the title of a song written by Tim Nichols and Mark D. Sanders and recorded by American country artist Jo Dee Messina. The song was released in January 1996 as her debut single and served as the lead-off single for her self-titled debut album. The song reached...
", "You're Not in Kansas Anymore" - Ronnie Milsap – "All Is Fair in Love and War"
- Joe Nichols – "She Only Smokes When She Drinks"
- Turner Nichols – "Moonlight Drive-In", "She Loves to Hear Me Rock"
- Jamie O'NealJamie O'NealJamie O'Neal is a contemporary country singer and songwriter who has had success in the United States. She was born Jamie Murphy in Sydney, Australia, to parents Jimmy and Julie Murphy, who were also professional musicians...
– "I Love My Life" - James OttoJames OttoJames Allen Otto is an American country music artist who is a member of the MuzikMafia, a group of country musicians known for their "country music without prejudice"...
– "Sunday Morning and Saturday Night" - Michael PetersonMichael Peterson (singer)Michael James Peterson is an American country music artist. He made his debut on the country music scene in 1997 with his self-titled debut album, which produced five Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts, including the Number One hit "From Here to Eternity"...
– "Somethin' 'bout a Sunday" - Povertyneck HillbilliesPovertyneck HillbilliesPovertyneck Hillbillies was an American country music band founded in Dawson, Pennsylvania in 2000 by Chris "Abby" Abbondanza , Chris Higbee , Dave Cramer , Ryan Lucotch , Jeff Volek , David "Junior" Guthrie , and Bob "Crafty" Crafton...
– "One Night in New Orleans" - Aaron TippinAaron TippinAaron Dupree Tippin is an American country music artist and record producer. Initially a songwriter for Acuff-Rose Music, he gained a recording contract with RCA Records in 1990...
– "A Door" - Van ZantVan ZantVan Zant is an American musical duo composed of brothers Donnie Van Zant and Johnny Van Zant. Both are brothers of the late Ronnie Van Zant, former lead singer for the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd...
– "Nobody Gonna Tell Me What to Do" - Keith Whitley – "I'm Over You", "Brotherly Love" (duet with Earl Thomas ConleyEarl Thomas ConleyEarl Thomas Conley is an American country music singer-songwriter. Between 1980 and 2003, he recorded ten studio albums, including seven for the RCA Records label. In the 1980s and into the 1990s, Conley also charted more than thirty singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, of which...
) - Lee Ann WomackLee Ann WomackLee Ann Womack is an American country music singer and songwriter, who is best known for her old fashioned-styled country music songs that often discuss subjects such as cheating and lost love....
– "I'll Think of a Reason LaterI'll Think of a Reason Later"I'll Think of a Reason Later" is a song written by Tony Martin and Tim Nichols and recorded by American country artist Lee Ann Womack. It was released in late 1998 as the second single from her CD, Some Things I Know; it peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks.-Content:The song...
" - Chris Young - "The Man I Want to BeThe Man I Want to Be (song)"The Man I Want to Be" is the title of a song written by Brett James and Tim Nichols and recorded by American country artist Chris Young. It was released in November 2009 as the third single from his second studio album, also titled The Man I Want to Be....
"