Singer Joe Nichols Creates Web site to Aid People Struggling with Addiction

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins Oct 20, 2009

Country artist Joe Nichols has partnered with TheHopeLine to create a Web site designed to help people who are struggling with addictions.

The partnership came about when Dave Anderson, TheHopeLine's director of rescue, saw Nichols' music video for An Old Friend Of Mine. Both the song and video honestly depict the battle with substance abuse, and the song is the closing track on Nichols' upcoming CD release, Old Things New.

"Partnering with Joe Nichols to help people struggling with addictions is very exciting," Anderson said. "Those struggling need to understand there is hope and TheHopeLine wants to help reach, rescue and restore them as they begin their journey to recovery.

“We are hopeful Joe's effort will encourage other mainstream artists to consider how they might help their fans, and others, who might be struggling with difficulty in their life."

TheHopeLine will make a HopeCoach available to moderate the chat room on Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. (ET) for an entire month beginning the week of Oct. 12, 2009. The goal is to help individuals find help and hope in a moment of need.

While the song isn't the artist's single, the lyrics are so compelling, Nichols said he knew a certain spotlight had to be placed on An Old Friend Of Mine. Having struggled with addiction issues himself, it was a song he could relate to. Taking it a step further to partner with TheHopeLine meant he could possibly help others with their own struggles.

"This site exists out of my desire to offer more than a song when talking about my struggle with addiction and recovery," Nichols explained. "The purpose of anoldfriendofmine.com is to be a starting point resource for teens, families, parents or individuals who are struggling with addiction or know someone who is. This chat room also exists for people in recovery to talk with others around the world about how either they themselves or someone they know has said 'goodbye' to addiction."

Universal Records South will release Old Things New on Oct. 27. The CD is the follow-up to the critically acclaimed CD titled Real Things.