If country music had a “next big thing” radar, Alison Nichols would be flashing at full signal. The BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville artist is bringing heart, humor, and a whole lot of authenticity to the genre, and her brand-new cover of Joe Diffie’s “John Deere Green” proves she was born for this moment.
“I feel like I’ve been moving to Nashville my whole life,” Nichols shares in a press release. “Releasing ‘John Deere Green’ is such a full-circle moment. My version is a tribute to my late cousin Joe Diffie, who made the song famous in the ’90s, and it’s been such an inspiration knowing someone in my own family lived the dream I’ve imagined for so long.”
A cousin of the late country legend, Nichols delivers her own heartfelt take on Diffie’s 1993 classic, as she keeps the love story fans know and adore with her own flair. “With my version, I wanted to honor my cousin Joe and the music I grew up on, but also make it feel personal,” she explains to Celeb Secrets. “In the studio, we added some modern guitar flourishes and melodic touches to give it a little of my own style while keeping the heart of the song the same.”
For Nichols, releasing “John Deere Green” isn’t just a tribute, it’s a symbol of how far she’s come and where she’s headed. Produced by Will Rambeaux, her rendition pays respect to Diffie’s legacy while reminding fans that country music’s future is in very good hands.
“It feels like honoring both him and the genre that shaped me,” she says. “This song connects my roots to my dreams, and I couldn’t imagine a more meaningful way to start this next chapter.”
Proudly calling herself “half Korean, half redneck, and 100% American,” Alison is breaking ground as one of the few Asian-American women in country music today. It’s a role she doesn’t take lightly.
“I grew up loving country music, but I never saw anyone who looked like me doing it,” she says. “So being one of the first Asian-American voices in country means a lot. I want all the little girls out there who feel like they don’t fit in to know that they belong here too, that there’s space for them in this genre.”
Her southern drawl, strong songwriting, and unapologetic personality have already won over a loyal fan base — especially online. Between viral TikTok moments, relatable heartbreak songs, and live performances filled with charm and sass, Nichols is carving out a space that feels both fresh and familiar.
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If you’ve scrolled through country TikTok lately, there’s a good chance you’ve stumbled upon Alison’s viral anthem “Is It Just Me?” Inspired by a certain ex who ended up getting a front-row seat to his own heartbreak story, the track resonated with millions of users online and launched Nichols into a new level of visibility.
“The first song of mine that went viral was about a guy who ghosted me,” she laughs. “I got on stage to perform it and realized he was sitting right there in the audience. I had to pretend he wasn’t there — which was not easy! My friend filmed the whole thing, and I woke up the next morning to 4.6 million views.”
When it comes to her creative process, Nichols doesn’t hold back — literally. “First and foremost, I’m a storyteller,” she says. “At this point in my songwriting, I only know how to write straight from the heart, from my own messy, emotional truth.”
But it’s not all candlelight and notebooks. “I also have ADHD, so I tend to do a lot at once,” she laughs. “I’ll be on my guitar writing a song, filming a TikTok, reheating Chick-fil-A, and somehow doing it all while walking on the treadmill.”
That blend of chaos and creativity is exactly what makes Alison Nichols so magnetic. She’s a little bit nostalgic, a little bit modern, and a whole lot country — and if her cover of “John Deere Green” is any indication, this is just the beginning.
You can listen to Alison’s cover of “John Deere Green” below and don’t forget to let us know what you think of the track by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sliding into our DMs on Instagram at @celebsecretscountry.
