Kris Kristofferson and Jerry Lee LewisFor Kris Kristofferson, the opportunity to record with Jerry Lee Lewis is similar to how one would view recording with Elvis Presley. Kris sings with Jerry Lee on 'Mean Old Man,' a song Kris wrote for The Killer's new country album. The tune is the first single and the title of the forthcoming album, slated for release in the first quarter of 2010.

"I'm about to go back and do another song with Jerry Lee," Kris told The Boot while in Nashville to receive his BMI Icon honor. "To be on the same record with Jerry Lee Lewis ... it's such an honor."

This isn't the first time Jerry Lee and Kris have collaborated. He and Shel Silverstein wrote 'Once More with Feeling,' a hit for Jerry Lee in the early '70s. "I remember Shel and I sat with Jerry Lee over in [producer] Jerry Kennedy's office, and he played our song over and over, maybe 30 times," Kris recalled. "Shel leaned over to me and said 'Can you believe this,' and Jerry Lee stopped the tape. He looked at Shel and said, 'Killer if you want to talk, go outside.' I have lots of memories here in Nashville."

'Mean Old Man' is part of a five-song EP that was released Nov. 10. Other artists featured with Jerry Lee are Merle Haggard on 'Swinging Doors,' Kid Rock and Slash on 'Rockin' My Life Away,' Sheryl Crow on 'You Are My Sunshine,' and Eric Clapton and Jame Burton on 'You Can Have Her.' The full-length album will be Jerry Lee's first country project since the 1970s.

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