|
||
|
BIOGRAPHY
|
|
| The word exuberant means joyously
unrestrained. When Joe Paul Nichols talks about his family, and his music, he is exuberant
and then some. In his words, Joe Paul loves his life. It began on September 13, 1941, in Cundiff, Texas, ten miles east of Jacksboro. He was the middle child born to Jack and Myrtle Riggs Nichols. Joe Paul attended Jacksboro schools from the first grade through high school. One of his interests in high school was basketball, but he was keenly interested in music from a young age. He grew up listening to the Grand Ole Opry, Louisiana Hayride, and the Big D Jamboree. His father, who was a "picker and singer", taught Joe Paul to play the guitar when he was nine years old. By the time he was in high school, he was already a country/western singer. In 1957, when Joe Paul was 16 years old, his father took him to Fort Worth to audition for the "Cowtown Hoedown", a weekly country and western show held at the Majestic Theater. The audition got him a job performing every other week on the Cowtown Hoedown. He was there for three years. His dream came true when he began performing weekly on the Big D Jamboree in Dallas, Texas a billing that lasted for seven years. In 1970, he formed his own band, The Five Pennies. Royce Turney, front man and bass player, is the only original band member. Royce has been with Joe Paul for 34 years. Joe Paul is referred to as a regional singer, performing primarily in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas, and Missouri. He and The Five Pennies are known for their traditional country music to their repertoire. Twin fiddles and the steel guitar are dominant in their music, His most requested song is "These Old Eyes Have Seen It All." He isn't a song writer, but knows several writers who frequently send new songs to him. The network of contacts necessary to be a successful singer, musician, performer, and recording artist is huge. Joe Paul talks frequently with disc jockeys, promoters, song writers, producers, and musicians. Joe Paul and The Five Pennies describe their show as an entertaining, "family type" country music show. They perform at school auditoriums, civic centers, clubs, rodeos, fairs, and conventions in small towns and large cities. Sometimes there are too many shows, sometimes not quite enough. His music has been a favorite in Texas and the Southwest for many years. Joe Paul has recorded 47 singles and 25 albums. Some of his best single records have been, "These Little Things", "Hello Trouble", "Texas Memory", and "Letters Have No Arms" . His gospel albums are, "The Old Country Church", "In The Garden", "Sing, Sing, Sing", "Route 3 Gloryland", "How Big Is God", and his latest one "A Hill Called Calvary". Some of Joe Paul's best country albums are "These Old Eyes Have Seen It All", "Swing Me A Song", "The Way It Was", and "The Best of Joe Paul Nichols, #20". The album, "Swing Me A Song", recorded in Nashville, was released June 11, 1999. It includes six new songs and six country classics, and one country gospel song. The country gospel song, "Jesus Is The Same In California", was Number One in November, 1999, on the Country Gospel Music Guild Top 80 in the U.S. Gospel News. Joe Paul has recorded a 48 minute country/gospel video. Joe Paul has been fortunate enough to record a Country Christmas Album, "It's Christmas Time". Joe Paul's recordings are sold in Fort Worth, TX. at the Ernest Tubb Record Shop. Joe Paul has occasionally performed in Branson, Missouri. He has been on the stage with such country/western stars as Mel Tillis, George Jones, Charlie Pride, Hank Thompson, Faron Young, Sonny James, Cal Smith, Ernest Tubb, and Kitty Wells. Two singers he has admired a great deal are Sonny James and George Jones. Sonny James for the type of life he has lived, and George Jones for his talent. Joe Paul gives a lot of credit to his wife, Carolyn, for supporting him throughout the years in his quest for a life in country/western music. He and Carolyn Martin met in high school, and have been married 46 years. Joe Paul and Carolyn have two children, Joe Paul Nichols, Jr. and Jennifer Jeanette Gasca. The six granddaughters and one grandson are the light of Joe Paul's life. He also, devotes time to Cundiff Baptist Church, where he has attended since he was born and where he is music director. Joe Paul works revivals, and holds concerts for other churches. Joe Paul says that he has a happy, satisfying life and that he loves what he does with his music. Although music has been important to him, the highlight of his life was the birth of his two children. He believes having a positive attitude is a key to success, and having a life focused on God, family, and friends is important, too. When Joe Paul Nichols and His Five Pennies come to your part of the country be sure to see their show, for you will be well entertained with a good family type country show. Your country music friend,
|
||
|
|
|
SITE CREATED AND MAINTANED BY :WESTERNCRAFTS WEBPAGE DESIGN |
