Mark Wills signs with Equity Music Group

Wills, previously on Mercury, is in the studio working on his first CD for the label, which is scheduled for an early summer release. The first single will impact in April, and Wills will premiere music from his new album at Equity's hotel suite during this week's Country Radio Seminar in late February.

"Mark Wills has a long and impressive track record of hit singles and album sales," said label head Mike Kraski, "but that material doesn't come close to doing justice to his range as a singer and performer. I knew he could sing a ballad - now I know he can flat out sing anything."

Wills is in the studio with songwriter Brett James at the production helm. "I've known Mark for years and never thought that the music quite matched who he is as a person and as an artist," James said. "I think we are going to rock a lot of peoples' preconceived notions about the kind of records he can make. I am really looking forward to getting this new sound to the fans."

A single may be ship in April, according to the label. An album could be out in September.

Wills, who won the ACM's Top New Male Vocalist honor in 1999, has had hits including "Jacob's Ladder," "Wish You Were Here" and "Don't Laugh At Me". He also scored big with "19 Something," a 7-week number 1 record that was named Billboard's most played country single of the year for 2003.