Rascal Flatts, Steve Earle, Billy Joe Shaver, Ricky Skaggs and The Whites release new CDs

After a 3-year hiatus, Steve Earle is back on a 12-song CD, "Washington Square Serenade," influenced by living in New York City. Recorded at New York's legendary Electric Lady Studios, the album is Earle's first produced by John King of The Dust Brothers (Beck, The Rolling Stones, Beastie Boys). A deluxe CD/DVD version will be available with bonus artwork, plus an exclusive documentary about the inspiration behind "Washington Square Serenade," including a walking tour of Greenwich Village with Earle and Mark Jacobson (New York Magazine). "City Of Immigrants" features the band Forro In The Dark, who bring their style of traditional Brazilian Forro music to the song. Earle's wife, singer-songwriter Allison Moorer, joins him on the tender duet "Days Aren't Long Enough," which they co-wrote.

Billy Joe Shaver gets spiritual on "Everybody's Brother." John Carter Cash produced the disc of songs about love, loss, death and the afterlife. "Get Thee Behind Me Satan" starts the disc with John Anderson and Shaver trading off on lead vocals. Other guests include Marty Stuart, Tanya Tucker, Kris Kristofferson, and Randy Scruggs. The album's final track is a late 1970s duet with Johnny Cash on "You Just Can't Beat Jesus Christ." It was produced by Cowboy Jack Clement and features a 15-year-old Eddy Shaver playing smoking guitar.

Ricky Skaggs joins with The Whites on this gospel project "Salt of the Earth" (Skaggs Family). Skaggs produced the effort. The disc includes hymns as well as new songs.

Country veteran Gene Watson makes his label debut, "In a Perfect World" (Shanachie). Vince Gill, Lee Ann Womack, Joe Nichols, Mark Chesnutt, Connie Smith and Rhonda Vincent help out on the CD produced by Brent Rowan. Watson, 63, has enjoyed a slew of hits since the 1970's, having 48 songs make the Billboard charts.

Whiskey Falls releases their self-titled debut (Midas Nashville). The quartet has two members from Alabama and two from California with Seven Williams the lead singer. The music was produced by Cliff Downs, Bill Brandt, Frank Meyers and the band.