Anderson strikes gold

He will release his first album in nine years, "Goldmine," on May 26 on his own label, Bayou Boys Music. Anderson wrote or co-wrote 12 of the 13 tracks. Anderson produced the record with long-time friend and producer Joe Spivey.

"With 'Goldmine', I thought, first off, I'm going to take my songs into the studio and make a record like I think it ought to be made, without all those other influences," Anderson said, "I'm more pleased with the sound of this record than I have been in a long time."

"I'm really proud of this album. At this point, it's just for me and the fans. A best case scenario for me is if the fans that have loved our music and supported us for so many years know 'Goldmine' is out there, and how to get it, I'll be happy."

The first single, "I Work a Lot Better," will be shipped to radio on May 11 and will be available for download on iTunes, Amazon and other major digital retailers. The rocking mid-tempo track is in the style of previous chart-topping hits, such as "Money in the Bank."

"It was actually Josh Turner's idea," Anderson said. "He is a fine young man, a great talent and a real asset to modern day country music. Josh and I have written several songs together, and it's always a pleasure to write with him."

Songs on the CD are:
1. Freedom Isn't Free (John Anderson/James C. Hicks Sr.)
2. Magic Mama (Merle Haggard)
3. Back Home (John Anderson/Jimmy Stevens/Jeff Farr)
4.Goldmine (John Anderson/Josh Turner)
5. Happily Ever After (John Anderson/James C. Hicks Sr.)
6. I Work Alot Better (John Anderson/Josh Turner)
7. I Will Cross O'er the River (John Anderson)
8. Louisiana Son Of A Beast (John Anderson/Bill Emerson/Jody Emerson)
9. Holdin' On (John Anderson/Jimmy Stevens)
10. Song the Mountain Sings (John Anderson/Buddy Cannon)
11. On And On And On... (John Anderson/Jimmy Fortune)
12. Don't Forget To Thank the Lord (John Anderson/John Rich)
13. You All Are Beautiful (John Anderson/James C. Hicks Sr.)

Raised in Apopka, Fla., Anderson grew up listening to both rock and traditional country. In 1977, Anderson signed with Warner Brothers Records and had his first major hit in 1980 with Billy Joe Shaver's, "I'm Just an Old Chunk of Coal (But I'm Gonna Be a Diamond Someday)." Other hits include the classic "Wild and Blue" released in 1982, and "Swingin," the number 1 Billboard Country single co-written with Lionel Delmore that would lead Anderson to garner the CMA Horizon Award.

Anderson has produced 23 albums and released more than 60 singles (26 of which charted in the Top 10). He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame last year.

Anderson is currently touring throughout the U.S. Most recently, Anderson collaborated with Keith Urban for the taping of "ACM Presents: Superstar Duets," a CBS special featuring country luminaries and chart-topping artists. The two-hour event will air on Friday, May 15. On July 25, he will join Urban again for a performance at Cheyenne Frontier Days in Cheyenne, Wyo.