CMT News

Country songstress -- country/pop songstress, that is LeAnn Rimes is slated to release two albums in 1999. One, obviously, will aim toward the country market and the second will be geared toward the pop arena. Rimes' first country effort for next year will unfold a classic sound and feature standards such as "Crazy," "I Fall To Pieces," "Your Cheatin' Heart" and "Me & Bobby McGee." Broadway For LeAnn? Apparently not, or at least not yet. Reportedly, the multi-award-winning songstress turned down the role of "Belle" in the Broadway production of Beauty & The Beast due to scheduling conflicts. Other popular singers who have played the part include Deborah "Debbie" Gibson and Toni Braxton. Rimes recently met one of her own music idols Steven Tyler of rock group Aerosmith, when he showed up in her dressing room at a show. The two have since become friends with Rimes occasionally joining Aerosmith on stage. In a matter of weeks, Rimes will be taking her talent to the Japan stages for a forthcoming promotional tour. Her albums are expected to release there in months to come. Afterwards, she'll make stops in both Germany and England.