After devoting the bulk of the past few years to raising a family, one of country's most expressive voices is set to return to the airwaves with new music -- and a new baby -- in the upcoming calendar year. Jo Dee Messina has announced that she will return to the radio airwaves with a new single in the first few weeks of 2012. She will also be hitting the road for a tour in the new year, as well.

This year marks the fifteenth anniversary of the Curb recording artist's first hit "Heads Carolina, Tails California." The song served as the starting point for a career that has included six number one records, five million records sold and a CMA Award in 1999 for the Horizon Award.

The Massachusetts native has been silent the past few years, as she and husband Chris became parents to son Noah in January 2009. Messina will give birth to a second child in early 2012 as well.

"We are all excited about the arrival of the new baby," gushed Messina in a statement on Monday (Dec. 5). "My mom says 'I can't wait to see that baby.' Our son keeps talking about 'teaching the baby.' He is so cute. He's going to be an awesome big brother."

Messina is also making her presence known on the tube in a big way, as well. She will be featured on the December 18 edition of HGTV's "Celebrity Holiday Homes," in which designer Matthew Haly transformed her Nashville home for the holidays.

"It was amazing to have HGTV come into the house to decorate," said the fiery redhead. "I guess living in my home and seeing it everyday, I overlook decorating possibilities. I was blown away by what they came and did to the house. It was just, so beautiful."

Messina will also be included in an upcoming episode of BRAVO's "The Real Housewives of Atlanta." Cameras captured the songstress during a recent collaborative writing session with Atlanta cast member and former member of the platinum-selling group Xscape, Kandi Burress. She won a Grammy for her work on the group TLC's mega hit "No Scrubs."

"I loved getting to write with Kandi," allowed Messina. "She's so talented. I hope we get a chance to do it again real soon."

Aside from her professional career, Messina also continues to aid in several charitable endeavors. Earlier this year, she launched the A Million Doors campaign to raise money for Holy Trinity Montessori, a non-profit school in Nashville. Messina and Holy Trinity Montessori school head Kate Riley are working to raise $2.3 million dollars to build a 6,000 square-foot school for students up through third grade, and possibly up to fifth, offering them an affordable, hands-on education. GAC-TV has partnered with Messina to help spread the message in a new short special titled "GAC Heart of Country with Jo Dee Messina." Sponsored by Citracal, the 60-second spots will begin airing on GAC-TV in early 2012.

"I was thrilled when GAC approached us about doing this piece, says Messina. "It gives people a chance to see the work I'm doing with AMillionDoors.com . I love the GAC Network, so I will be quite proud to see the piece run."

Messina will also perform her annual "Christmas In The Music Room" show Tuesday, December 20 at Nashville's Gaylord  Opryland Hotel, where she'll celebrate the season with songs, stories and audience participation.