With a half-dozen #1 career singles, ten Top 10 hits and high-energy live show, Joe Nichols is more than qualified to teach a crash-course on success is the music industry, but when it comes to some of today’s most talked-about stars — he may be the one needing a crash course.

With his new 11th studio album, 'Honky Tonks and Country Songs,' revolving around his love for the Country scene, Joe reflected on his favorite bars to perform at (Billy Bobs in Fort Worth and The Grizzly Rose in Denver) but when it came to watching a show, Nichols was stumped.

“I don’t think I’ve seen a show at a bar in a long time, or any show… I’d have to ask my wife what’s the last show I saw,” he said before revealing he did recently buy tickets.

“I just bought the first concert tickets in, decades maybe, for Sabrina Carpenter for my girls,” he said before admitting, “I have no idea who she is.” He laughed, “Still, to this day, I have no idea who she is, but I know she’s a big deal…. I bought tickets to her show, they’re really expensive.“

While he may not be up to date on Carpenter, there’s one modern day hitmaker he’s very familiar with and that’s Post Malone. Nichols shared that Post reached out to him multiple times to get him at a show, and it all came together for Post’s 'F-1 Trillion' album release show in Nashville.

“I should say, Post is great and I was super surprised by his knowledge of Country music and me. I’m like, ‘Why are you such a big fan of me? I’m kind of a random Country guy,’” Nichols laughed. “He was amazingly, genuinely nice, caring, thoughtful and complimentary… I walked in and I mean, you would’ve thought Santa Claus walked in the room ‘cause he’s like,’ Oh my God! Joe Nichols!’ And I’m like, ‘Alright, you’re excited! This is exciting to me, it feels great…' He’s like a giddy little kid.”

After helping Post celebrate his album, Nichols is now onto celebrating his own new music with the release of his own new album, 'Honky Tonks and Country Songs.' With it, he proves he’s both timely and timeless with 11 tracks highlighting his true Country sound and love for Honky Tonks.

While it marks his 11th album, Nichols says the creative-process only gets harder with time as he’s more aware of failure and flops. “In the studio, I really second-guess everything,” he admitted. “I’m afraid of lying to myself about what’s good and what’s not, what’s good enough? What’s not ready? I have that bad habit, I know.”

He continued, “Everything’s gotta be thought out, we get prepared for everything” Hear what the result of all of it sounds like by checking out Nichols’ new album, 'Honky Tonks and Country Songs,' available now. Also, hear more about the songs, why it reminds him of chicken noodle soup, and so much more by checking out his full conversation on the Friday Night Takeover above.

Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Rob + Holly