Is Steven Tyler going to record a country album?

Steven Tyler is expected to sign with Big Machine Label Group within the next few weeks, and the Aerosmith singer is already working on a country album for the Nashville-based label, sources tell Billboard.

The deal could go down “anytime,” but is due to happen “before the summer,” according to an insider, although Tyler isn’t waiting for the ink to dry to tout his new affiliation. On Wednesday’s episode of American Idol, Tyler was featured in a taped segment profiling Big Machine president/CEO Scott Borchetta, season 14’s mentor. Tyler joined Tim McGraw, Reba McEntire and The Band Perry, all of whom are signed to BMLG imprints, in praising the executive. Taylor Swift is the label’s biggest act.

Tyler, who announced his intent to record a country album during a Twitter Q&A last October, relocated to Nashville in January and began collaborating with songwriters, including top tunesmith Brett James, who co-wrote Carrie Underwood’s “Cowboy Casanova” and “Jesus Take the Wheel,” as well as Martina McBride’s “Blessed.” Also on his list is the Cadillac Three’s Jaren Johnston, who co-wrote current hits as Keith Urban and Eric Church’s “Raise ‘Em Up” and Tim McGraw’s recent No. 2 hit, “Meanwhile Back at Mama’s.” Big Machine’s A&R staffers are lining up Tyler’s writing sessions. Tyler is also keeping an ear tuned to country radio. “He’ll hear a song and go, ‘Who was that?'” says a source.

Source: Billboard