R&B singer Lionel Ritchie will “go country” when his new album arrives in March 2012. The album, titled Tuskegee after the Ritchie’s Alabama birthplace will feature various hits from the singer performed with some of country’s biggest names.
Among the album’s songs will be 13 duets that include “My Love” with Kenny Chesney, “Easy” with Willie Nelson and “Hello” with Jennifer Nettles.
Richie told the Country Music Association on Wednesday that he will perform “Dancing on the Ceiling” with Rascal Flatts when the CMA awards air on November 9.
Speaking about the album the singer said in a statement:
“I was born and raised in Tuskegee, Alabama. I am a country boy and proud of it. To do this project just felt natural.”
Throughout his career Lionel Richie has relied on soulful R&B songs to earn him five Grammys, one Oscar and more than 20 top 10 hits. Ritchie’s career has spanned more than 40 years with Motown Records.
Ritchie isn’t the first older artist to team up with this generations top performers, Tony Bennett’s recent album Duets II features the likes of Amy Winehouse and Lady Gaga.
I’ll definitely be tuning into the CMA awards as I do every year but I’m still on the fence about a Lionel Ritchie country album. Will you be picking up the “Tuskegee” album when it drops?
