Air Supply’s Russell Hitchcock to ‘Dip a Toe’ in Country Music

Russell Hitchcock of the '80s supergroup Air Supply is making a run at breaking into the country music scene. Russell's new album, 'Tennessee: The Nashville Sessions,' is set to be released May 10, and the singer says the sound is a natural fit for him.

"This is not a departure for me," Russell tells antimusic. "I simply stepped outside the Air Supply box to dip a toe into other waters, an ocean of music that I've admired from afar."

Noted Nashville songwriters Josh Thompson, Hal Ketchum and Wes Hightower wrote some of the 20 songs for the two-disc CD, recorded in Music City's Curb Studios.

"I am more than pleased with this project," says the singer. "This compilation will touch hearts the same way Air Supply music does -- just when fans close their eyes as they listen, they'll hear and feel a different musical vibe. I feel like we ended up with a great piece of art!"

That art was created with all the instrumentation that makes great country sounds including fiddle and pedal steel. You'll hear a sample of it when the first single 'Hold Me Like You Love Me' is released to radio later this month.

Russell says the combination of good vibes from Nashville and the willingness of country music veterans to pitch in on the project set the tone for the whole project.

"Recording in Nashville enabled us to create an organic product; the Southern hospitality, passion and extraordinary talents of the musicians, one and all, bled through into the studio," says Russell.

Hear the new song and find more information about 'Tennessee: The Nashville Sessions' at Russell's website.