Sugarland's Nettles announces solo disc

Rubin, previously co-president of Columbia Records and founder of Def Jam Records, has worked with a variety of artists such as Johnny Cash, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Beastie Boys, Jay-Z, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Sheryl Crow, The Avett Brothers, Adele, Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Dixie Chicks.

"I am absolutely thrilled and wholly proud to be working with Rick," said Nettles. "If you ask any musician who is on their producer bucket list, Rick would be on each and every one."

Rolling Stone quoted Rubin as saying, "It's thrilling to hear her sing."

"It goes in a lot of cool different directions," Rubin says. "There's country, but also blues, jazz, island rhythms, great classic rock moments, and a lot of soul. The organizing principle is Jennifer's voice and tastes. There's a lot of styles, but it all sounds like her."

"This album is different than what I've done before," Nettles told Rolling Stone. "What I do with Sugarland, primarily it's stuff that starts with me and Kristian (Bush, Sugarland co-founder) writing together. It's fun to play with that masculine energy, but for this I wanted to do something really personal - more intimate and emotional."

There was no word on the status of Sugarland, although there were no indications that the band would not continue.

This weekend, Nettles will be in Las Vegas as a presenter at the Billboard Music Awards. The show is this Sunday, May 19 at 8 p.m. eastern on ABC.