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Jessica Simpson comes on over to country
Jessica Simpson hit the stage for her first country music concert last weekend, and she's got a handful of summer fairs and festivals lined up to showcase material from her forthcoming album, "Do You Know."
The former pop princess got a mixed reaction when she performed at Country Thunder in Twin Lakes, WI, last Saturday (7/19) donned in Daisy Dukes and cowboy boots. She assured the audience that despite what the tabloids say, "I'm just a girl from Texas," according to various reports.
Simpson's tour continues Aug. 7 in Indianapolis, IN, and since last check, dates have been added in Las Vegas; Sacramento, CA; Pomona, CA; and Niagara Falls, Ontario. Her full schedule is listed below.
The singer's debut country effort, "Do You Know," is due Sept. 9 on Columbia Nashville. Simpson co-wrote all but three of the album's tracks, including her current crossover single, "Come on Over," which recently climbed to No. 23 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart. Guests on the record include Dolly Parton, who wrote and sings background vocals on the title track.
Despite the skepticism over her move into country, Simpson said the genre is where her heart is.
"I'm not what everybody thinks that I am," she said in a statement. "Believe it or not, I'm a simple country girl. I might buy expensive shoes," she added with a laugh, "but, I'm definitely a simple country girl and this album will hopefully give people a sense of who Jessica is again."
Simpson's latest and fifth solo album, 2006's "A Public Affair," reached No. 5 on The Billboard 200 and scored a pop hit with the title track.
The 28-year-old Dallas-bred performer has gone from gospel singer, to pop singer, to actress since launching her career in the late '90s. She's also keeping busy on the fashion front with a new line of "Jessica Simpson" brand dresses set to debut next spring.
