MSM 90s Country: Gary Nichols
8/21/26
By Monica Collier
Listen, Muscle Shoals Meets family, we’re all the same here. Agreed?
Whether a 40+-year music industry veteran or a newcomer right out of the gate, there's this powerful thing we have in common, y’all – it’s called the Shoals. It’s my experience that the Shoals is a place where we celebrate each other. The Shoals is a great equalizer, friends. Sure, we’re bonded by music, but we’re also bonded by place and time and love, too.
OK. Now. Let's talk about how Gary Nichols took us to church, friends. Fair warning: I’m gonna get in and get out with this MSM 90s Country rundown because it’s been more than a week now and I still can’t even think about this performance without getting all choked up.
Mercy, y’all. Gary’s rendition of Vince Gill’s 1995 Grammy-winning tearjerker, “Go Rest High on That Mountain,” shook me to my core. I didn’t see this one coming, friends, and I ain’t gonna lie, it destroyed me. Not only did Gary dedicate this song to his aunt, Sandra, whom he recently lost, he dedicated it to anybody that we had lost, too. For those four somber minutes, I let myself drown in Gary’s rich soulful voice and was overwhelmed with memories of loved ones I’ve lost.
With Donny Carpenter on fiddle and the Shoals Sisters – Marie Lewey and Cindy Walker – harmonizing, this was an absolute highlight of the night. I can promise you, this is one performance I will not soon forget. The room was still, attentive, and reflective. We were all hanging on Gary’s every single word and willing the song to last forever.
The room exploded in applause before the song was even finished. Gary took off his cap and did a little bow to us. Then, he looked over to Marie and Cindy and gave an appreciative nod. Marie clutched her heart and the look on her face said everything … she was proud, friends. In that very special moment, y’all, Marie’s loving gaze to Gary spoke for all of us.
My heart is still overflowing with joy and appreciation for my hometown. Thank you, MSM family, for reminding me there’s nowhere in the world quite like the Shoals.
Stay tuned. More to come.
Dig Worms.
*Photo by: Devona Hawkins
