Country trio the Dixie Chicks will team with Billboard Century Award winner James Taylor for an episode of Country Music Television's (CMT) "Crossroads," to be taped July 31 in Nashville and scheduled to air in October. The popular show, which pairs artists of differing genres, has previously featured Hank Williams Jr. with Kid Rock, Elton John with Ryan Adams, and Elvis Costello with Lucinda Williams, among others.

The Chicks have also confirmed two shows Aug. 10 at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry, the group's first appearance there since 1998. On Aug. 23, the trio will perform for NBC's "Today" show summer concert series, leading up to the Aug. 27 release of a new Open Wide/Sony studio album, "Home." First single "Long Time Gone" is No. 7 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and No. 42 on the Billboard Hot 100.

As for Taylor, his new Columbia album "October Road" is due Aug. 13. As previously reported, the set was produced by Russ Titelman, who previously worked with Taylor on the mid-1970s albums "Gorilla" and "In the Pocket." Taylor's daughter Sally contributes backing vocals on the tracks "My Traveling Star" and "Baby Buffalo," while guitarist Ry Cooder and saxophonist Michael Brecker guest on the title cut.