When I first started to write this, I was thinking....Gone Country, by the great Alan Jackson.  You know, the song where the aging pop singer tells his wife that "the pop scene just ain't on the rally", and so he's "gone country".  Well, I was wrong about that.

loading...

The fact is, Lionel Richie probably doesn't need to ever work again.  And he's been associated with the country field.  He certainly had success when he teamed up with Alabama to record Deep River Woman and his rendition of Kenny Rogers' Lady was a smash.

Now, our friends at CMT are reporting that Lionel will team up with some pretty good country talents to perform some of his original hits on the CMA's.  Those already onboard include Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker and Little Big Town.

Fans of both country and Lionel can look forward to the release of a series of duets in March.  The CD features duets on some classics:

You Are with Blake Shelton
Say You, Say Me  with Jason Aldean
Stuck on You with Darius Rucker
Deep River Woman with Little Big Town
My Love  with Kenny Chesney
Dancing on the Ceiling  with Rascal Flatts
Hello with Jennifer Nettles
Sail On with Tim McGraw
Endless Love  with Shania Twain
Just for You wih Billy Currington
Lady with Kenny Rogers
Easy with Willie Nelson
All Night Long with Jimmy Buffett

That's some high-dollar talent, right there.

"I was born and raised in Tuskegee, Ala. I am a country boy and proud of it. To do this project just felt natural", he noted

"Growing up with country, R&B, gospel and classical music from my grandmother and pop, Tuskegee was the perfect melting pot for my influences as a writer, and the title, Tuskegee, is a validation of my growing up there -- the place I call home."

Look for some of the duets on the CMA Awards November 9 live from Nashville.

We're looking forward to the release of Tuscegee.  I'm sure you'll be hearing several of those cuts on the ol' radio.

To hear the best country IN the country, listen to Y95 Country.  Like us on Facebook:  Y95 Country.

More From Y95 Country