Man with a Memory is the second studio album and major-label debut by American country music artist Joe Nichols. It was released on July 23, 2002, by Universal South Records. The album was produced by long-time session guitarist Brent Rowan as his first production credit.
After the release of Nichols' self-titled debut in 1996, Intersound Records folded, and a subsequent stint with Giant Records led to no releases. Nichols was stuck in day jobs, including a cable installer, a steak salesman, a furniture mover, and a bartender. In 1999, after meeting notable session guitarist Brent Rowan, Nichols was able to be the first signing to the newly formed Universal South Records, which was formed by longtime Nashville executives Tony Brown and Tim DuBois. The album was the first production credit for Rowan, and recording began in February 2000.
"Everything's a Thing" was originally recorded by Craig Morgan on his 2000 self-titled debut album. "Life Don't Have to Mean Nothing at All" was recorded by Tom T. Hall on his 1997 album Home Grown.
William Ruhlmann of AllMusic gave the album two and a half stars out of five, criticizing the album's material as "mediocrity". Jim Patterson, an Associated Press journalist, gave Nichols a three-and-a-half-star out of five rating, comparing him to David Ball, and the criticism was aimed at the slick production. Nick Cristiano of The Philadelphia Inquirer called Nichols "experienced beyond his years" and said the album's material was similar to that of Merle Haggard.
