Aug. 5, 2008 — Some 30 years after he earned a country hit as the songwriter of George Jones’ "Bartender’s Blues," James Taylor is showing a continued affinity for the Possum by remaking George’s very first charted single, "Why Baby Why," for an upcoming album called Covers.

It’s one of several former country hits that get updated by Sweet Baby James on the album, including Glen Campbell’s "Wichita Lineman," Elvis Presley’s "Hound Dog," the Dixie Chicks’ "Some Days You Gotta Dance" and John Anderson’s "Seminole Wind."

"An album of other peoples' music is something I've been wanting to do for years," James says. "I've enjoyed performing these songs over the years, but to record them live in a room with these incredible musicians was just extraordinary."

James recorded all 12 tracks on Covers during a 10-day run of sessions with such noted players as percussionist Luis Conte, drummer Steve Gadd, guitarist Michael Landau and fiddler Andrea Zonn, who’s recorded with Steve Wariner and Trisha Yearwood, among others. Covers is being released on Sept. 30.

The country content should come as little surprise. In addition to writing "Bartender’s Blues," James also provided harmony vocals on George’s 1977 recording of the song. Additionally, James has sung with Ricky Skaggs on the Christmas track "New Star Shining" and won a Grammy award in 2004 for his duet with Alison Krauss on "How’s The World Treating You." Garth Brooks has frequently cited him as a major influence, and when James was tabbed as the MusiCares Person of the Year in 2006, he was honored at the tribute concert by such acts as Alison, the Chicks and Keith Urban.

Brooks & Dunn now have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame near the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn were in Hollywood for Monday's (Aug. 4) unveiling of their star -- the 2,367th terrazzo and brass marker on the sidewalks along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street. Joining them for the ceremony were talk show host Phil McGraw and his wife, Robin. The duo's star is located at 7021 Hollywood Blvd. near markers honoring Walt Disney, Mary Tyler Moore, Morgan Freeman, Nicolas Cage, Pierce Brosnan and Patrick Swayze. The ceremony coincided with Brooks & Dunn's West Coast tour that includes shows later this week in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia.

How sweet it is! Sugarland scores the No. 1 country album and the No. 2 country song on the Billboard charts this week, toppling, at least for now, the tenacious Taylor Swift.

Rocketing Sugarland to the summit is the duo's third Mercury Records album, Love on the Inside: Deluxe Fan Edition. It sold 314,000 copies its first week out, according to the Nielsen SoundScan count. That total also put the CD at No. 2 on the all-genres Billboard 200 list, just behind Miley Cyrus' Breakout, which sold 371,000 units.