It looks like Joe Nichols isn't going to be appearing on Broadway after all. He had been set to play the role George Strait made famous, country singer Dusty, in the musical version of Pure Country, but the economic crunch forced rehearsals to be called off indefinitely. Joe had blocked off about six to eight months to focus solely on the Broadway show, but now his single "Gimmie That Girl" has become the number-one country song in the nation. Joe explains to CMT that he just can't take another six to eight months off the road now that he's got a hot single and album, Old Things New. Lorrie Morgan had signed on to co-star as Dusty's manager, Lula, in the musical.

Sad to say I called this.  As soon as I found out the musical was put on hold I knew he'd have to pull out of production eventually because his career would suffer if he stayed committed to it.  I wonder who will take his place?  Who would be  your pick?

~Vanessa