Lionel Richie going country with duets album

LOS ANGELES: Hello! Lionel Richie is going country. The smooth R&B singer will take to the Country Music Association awards stage next month to perform some of the duets from his upcoming album "Tuskegee" - named after his Alabama birthplace, organizers said on Wednesday.

Richie, 62, best known for romantic ballads like "Three Times a Lady" and "Endless Love", will sing a country version of his hit song "Dancing on the Ceiling" with Rascal Flatts at televised annual CMA awards show on November 9.

The "Tuskegee" album, due out in March 2012, will feature 13 duets of his biggest hits, including "My Love" with Kenny Chesney, "Easy" with Willie Nelson and "Hello" with Jennifer Nettles.

Richie said the album was a return to his country roots. (Reuters)