Photo courtesy of JessicaSimpson.com
January 2, 2008 — Jessica Simpson has been in Nashville working on her first country album, due to be released this year.
Jessica declined to name songwriting collaborators, but tells Billboard.com that she will definitely be involved in the creative process. "Writing is a release for me," she says. "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. It's just that it has been a while since I have opened the book."
But why country, and why now? "I am a country girl," she says. "I grew up in Texas, and country music was what I listened to. I always wanted to make a country album, but I wanted to wait until the time was right."
"I think there is a strength in female country artists," she adds, citing Martina McBride, Shania Twain, Faith Hill and Reba McEntire as some of her inspirations.
Jessica says she's been pleasantly surprised by her reception in Music City. "Nashville is a very warm city," she says. "The people are friendly and kind. There is a sense of community, which thrives on music. There is no animosity...only respect for one another's talent."