Lionel Richie to Debut Country Duets at 2011 CMA Awards

Darius Rucker is just one of the artists that will duet with Lionel Richie at the 2011 CMA Awards. He's one of the many country artists that joined Richie to sing some of his classic hits on his upcoming 'Tuskegee' album that is scheduled to be released in March.

Although this is Richie's first country album, he's no stranger to the format. Fans will remember he has performed the song 'Lady' with Kenny Rogers, including in the mid-'80s during an all-star music event. He also collaborated on 'Deep River Woman' with Alabama about the same time. When Richie heard Conway Twitty sing 'Three Times a Lady,' 'Lady' and 'Deep River Women,' the country texture of his songs was really driven home to him.

On 'Tuskegee,' Richie performs 13 of his anthems with a host of country artists including Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton and others.

"As my songwriting progressed, I realized that my songs perfectly translated to the Country genre," says Richie, who named the album after his hometown. "I was born and raised in Tuskegee, Alabama. I am a country boy and proud of it. To do this project just felt natural."

Watch the CMA Awards live at 8PM ET, Wednesday, Nov. 9 on ABC. Stay tuned to Taste of Country for full live coverage of the show.

Lionel Richie 'Tuskegee' Track Listing:

'You Are' (Feat. Blake Shelton)
'Say You, Say Me' (Feat. Jason Aldean)
'Stuck On You' (Feat. Darius Rucker)
'Deep River Woman' (Feat. Little Big Town)
'My Love' (Feat. Kenny Chesney)
'Dancing On The Ceiling' (Feat. Rascal Flatts)
'Hello' (Feat. Jennifer Nettles)
'Sail On' (Feat. Tim McGraw)
'Endless Love' (Feat. Shania Twain)
'Just For You' (Feat. Billy Currington)
'Lady' (Feat. Kenny Rogers)
'Easy' (Feat. Willie Nelson)
'All Night Long' (Feat. Jimmy Buffett)