Jessica Simpson making strides in Nashville

By Ken Tucker

NASHVILLE (Billboard) - Suffice to say there was healthy skepticism in the music industry when word began circulating last year that Jessica Simpson was recording a country album.

But at least by early indications, the pop starlet is on her way to swaying opinion in her favor. The first single from her upcoming album, "Come on Over," debuted promisingly at No. 41 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart this week.

"A lot of people didn't want to like it, but when they heard it, regardless of pre-conceived notions, they realized this is a really good record," said Jimmy Rector, VP of promotion at Simpson's Columbia Nashville label.

He recalled that a country radio programmer told him, "God help me, I really like this song."

Comments like that surprised Simpson, who remembered thinking, "Oh, my gosh, people want to hate me," when first told of radio's initial doubts. "That's kind of hard to grasp, but at least they're supporting it. At least they know good music and they play good music. I can't believe the single's doing what it's doing."

Simpson co-wrote the flirtatious, uptempo song with Rachel Proctor and Victoria Banks. Her untitled album, the follow-up to 2006's "A Public Affair," is due out in September.

Simpson said she feels like "a brand-new artist," and that she's found a home in Nashville.

"I did a lot in the pop world and I had a great time doing it, but this just feels so much easier," she said. "There's a lot of soul in country and while I was making this album I discovered that. I can't imagine myself anywhere else, to be honest with you.

Reuters/Billboard