Lionel Richie Turns Country

Z100’s Carolina Bermudez has once again clued me in on something amazing that I need to share.  She got into an all-out battle with the rest of the Elvis Duran and the Morning Show gang this morning about Lionel Richie’s new album Tuskegee.  Her argument: that the album, which has held the top spot on the Billboard Top 200 for two weeks in a row is a must-listen.

Tuskegee features duets of thirteen of Richie’s classic hits with famous country music names such as Jimmy Buffet, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Blake Shelton and Shania Twain.  According to Starplus.com, Tuskegee is currently the best-selling country album of 2012, and is the first country album in more than a year to spend two consecutive weeks at the top of the Billboard 200.  Even more impressive is the fact that Chesney wanted in on this project so badly that he drunk-dialed Richie, professing his love for him and thus beginning the collaboration.

Richie has clearly made a comeback and he is unstoppable.  In addition to the album release, Richie has served as mentor on “The Voice,” alongside Kelly Clarkson and Robin Thicke, which has sparked an interesting partnership.  The Huffington Post reports that the three music superstars, along with Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles will take the stage on Duets, a reality singing competition set to premiere on May 24th on ABC.

Even if you are not a country fan, I am with Carolina on this: this album is one you must check out.  If you have not done so already, download Tuskegee here, or listen to “Endless Love” below featuring Shania Twain.