Kellie Pickler sets September release of new CD

"I'm so excited and proud of the new album," said Pickler. "The material on the new album is part small town girl, but also a reflection of the experiences I've had over the last two years. I've matured, some, seen a lot more of the world, and naming the album Kellie Pickler says, 'this album is me, this is who I am and where I am.'"

The lead single, "Don't You Know You're Beautiful," is an uptempo, positive message about inner beauty and addresses the issues of body image and societal pressures on young women. Other songs include "Best Days Of Your Life," a song she co-wrote with Taylor Swift while on the road together last year. Swift also sang background vocals on the song.

The album will also feature "Rocks Instead Of Rice," a song Pickler wrote with "Before He Cheats" writers Chris Tompkins and Josh Kear and has been performing on the road this summer. It's a tongue in cheek look at a woman at the wedding of a former boyfriend and how much more gratifying the experience would be if the guests were throwing rocks instead of rice.

Produced by Chris Lindsey, this album involved Pickler more, according to her publicist. With "Small Town Girl," Pickler was on the American Idol Tour, cutting her participation. With "Kellie Pickler," she's worked with Lindsey on arrangements, instrumentation and song selection.

Pickler is touring this summer. She also will co-host and perform on the CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock, which will air on Sept. 8 on ABC.