Tim McGraw Laments Label’s Hold on Upcoming Album

The title of Tim McGraw's next album is quite fitting, given the mix of emotions he's feeling about the end of his contract with longtime label, Curb Records.

The superstar reports that his upcoming 'Emotional Traffic' CD will be his "absolute last album" with Curb, and while it has been finished since last fall, a release date has yet to be issued.

"All the songs have been done for a long time, and the label has had it," Tim tells the Associated Press. "It's the last album that they have of mine, so they're trying to hold on to it as long as they can."

It has been public knowledge that Tim and his label have not been on the best terms for several years, and he feels the release of several 'Greatest Hits' collections has denied the fans of his new music. With the release of his 'Greatest Hits 3' in 2008, the Louisiana native apologized to fans, noting, "It has to be just as confusing to the fans as it is to me."

In 2010, Tim, in a very professional manner, told the Vancouver Sun, "In the history of the music business, artists and labels have not gotten along incredibly well, because there's a financial way to do things and there's an artistic way. There's just other things I would like to do, and I think the best part of my career is ahead of me."

The latest compilation, 'Number One Hits,' was released in November, and it contained one new song, 'Felt Good on My Lips,' which topped the country charts.

In spite of this hold on his new album, Tim is not sitting back with nothing to do. In addition to his Emotional Traffic tour, he will help celebrate SiriusXM's 10 years of broadcasting country music with an exclusive, invitation-only concert for listeners at New York City's Beach Theater on April 27. He's bringing along his Emotional Traffic tour mates, Luke Bryan and the Band Perry, for the show.

SiriusXM is also launching the Tim McGraw Radio channel, which went live Wednesday (April 20) and is scheduled to run through April 27. The channel will feature Tim's hits, along with in-depth interviews and live concerts from his Emotional Traffic tour.

Following the private show, the singer-actor returns to the road with a show in Tampa, Fla., on April 29. For a detailed list of Tim's tour dates, click here.