Joe Nichols

It's his big screen debut.

He was fired for playing country music!

Joe Nichols visited the ToC Nights studio recently and told all sorts of great stories.

The pair wrote together for about 30 minutes ... "and then we ordered a beer."

After more than two decades of friendship, they're finally collaborating.

The tour launches one day after the release of his new album.

It's a feel-good song about appreciating life's best moments!

The album features a collaboration with Blake Shelton.

Nichols first met his now-wife Heather when he was 18 years old -- but it would take 12 years for the couple to tie the knot.

They may be stars now, but some of country music's most popular performers really paid their dues in their early days.