Jessica Simpson to Release Country Album

If twangy licks and songs about southern American subculture didn’t turn me off to country music, Jessica Simpson’s turnover to the genre certainly will.

The former Mrs. Lachey is in the early stages of recording a country album in Nashville, a project scheduled for a 2008 release via Columbia Records, reported Billboard.com. Simpson said she had always wanted to make a country album, but was waiting until the right time—whatever that means.

“I think there is a strength in female country artists,” Simpson said, mentioning Martina McBride, Shania Twain, Faith Hill and Reba McEntire as some of her inspirations. I have to agree with her on this one (with the exception of Shania Twain), but she is dreaming if she thinks her name belongs in that group of female country supernovas—with the exception of Shania Twain.

Jessica said she would be involved in the creative process. I’m sorry, the fact that that has to be mentioned is sadly humorous.

“Writing is a release for me,” she said. “It's a way for me to tell my story. That's not to say I wouldn't record a song that I didn't write.”

Her last album, A Public Affair, spent only nine weeks on the Billboard 200 in 2006. Her most recent movie, Blonde Ambition, which I haven’t even heard of until writing this story, was recently released in just a few select theaters in her native Texas while on its way to DVD stores. Jessica, I may be too little too late in saying this, but don’t screw this one up.