Country’s 10 Most Anticipated Fall Albums

Legendary Texan George Strait released his 39th album for MCA Records, and title track/first single notwithstanding, there’s a little bit of darkness in cuts like “Drinkin’ Man” and “Poison.” Also, is he hinting at retirement in “I’ll Always Remember You”? Stay tuned.

After back-to-back opening weeks of 140,000-plus for Eric Church and Luke Bryan, Capitol Nashville gears up for what will likely be their biggest first-week tally of 2011. Lady Antebellum‘s “Just A Kiss” has already topped the Hot Country Songs chart, and the title cut debuted in the top 40.

Popular female vocalist Terri Clark returns with a new disc that is one of the most eclectic of her career. From the old-Country feel of “Lonesome’s Last Call” to the witty “Breakin’ Up Thing,” the album features some winning performances. A highlight is “Smile,” her farewell to her mother Linda, who passed away in 2010 after a long battle with cancer.

LeAnn Rimes‘ first album since 2007’s Family is a tour de force through some Country classics previously recorded by male artists. “The Bottle Let Me Down,” “Rose Colored Glasses,” and “He Stopped Loving Her Today” are three of the cuts. Also included is a cover of “When I Call Your Name,” which was a 1990 hit for the album’s producer, Vince Gill. Rimes has had a rock year in the press, due to her personal life, so a strong debut for “Lady” would go a long way.

After his 2005 holiday album became such a big seller for the singer, Ricky Skaggs and family return to the studio for a second Yuletide platter. Also included with the CD is a live DVD featuring a performance at the hallowed Ryman Auditorium.

After a decade-plus long run with Sony, Montgomery Gentry‘s Troy and Eddie reunite with Sony’s Tom Baldrica at Average Joe’s for an album that teams them up with Michael Knox (Jason Aldean) as producer. The first single off the disc is “Where I Come From.”

As part of their archive series on “The Man In Black,” Sony releases a set that features live performances by Johnny Cash in a variety of venues, such as the White House and Vietnam. Included on the disc is Cash’s 1979 recording of Billy Joe Shaver’s “I’m Just an Old Chunk of Coal,” later a hit for John Anderson.

After recording for RCA from 1992-2010, four-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Martina McBride releases her debut for Scott Borchetta and Republic Nashville. The disc features her summer release “Teenage Daughters,” as well as her current single, the emotional “I’m Gonna Love You Through It.”

Granted, his last MCA release (These Days) was four discs long, so Vince Gill earned some time between releases. The first single is “Threaten Me With Heaven.” It’s his first release since his 2008 induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

She’s got some huge footsteps to fill-her own. The only female vocalist in history to have back-to-back releases win Album of the Year from the ACM’s, Miranda Lambert will issue her fourth disc the day after Halloween. If the rest of the album is as entertaining as the current single, “Baggage Claim,” then we all are in for a treat!