SamboraBlog

Bon Jovi wants to go country

NEW YORK, July 18 (UPI) -- Rocker Jon Bon Jovi's award-winning duet with Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles has the New Jersey native talking country and thinking Nashville.

The 44-year-old singer, actor, arena football team owner, philanthropist, husband and father of four told the New York Post his next album may be a surprise to Bon Jovi fans.

"I can smell change coming," he told the newspaper. "I do feel a growth period coming on in my life. I got that seven-year itch, and I feel like something major is going to happen soon."

That major change could wind up being the rock icon's first full-blown country music album.

"Here's my game plan: I'd like to get two or three artists to do duets with," he said. "I'd like to give a couple of Nashville songwriters a chance to shine, and Richie (Sambora) and I would write a few songs to prove we could hold our own with these guys."

The band has made many changes through the years to stay relevant, he noted. This could end up being just another step in the process.

"Anything is possible if you're willing to kick the door down," he said.

Jon Bon Jovi goes the country way

Washington: Rocker Jon Bon Jovi plans to surprise fans by moving into country music by recording an album in Nashville, Tennessee.

The 44-year-old singer and his bandmate Richie Sambora are expected to record the disc with veteran country musicians.

"The change is in the music - it's time for change. ‘Keep The Faith’ was why we stayed relevant in the '90s. In 2000, we changed again when we did ‘It's My Life’. That's when a new generation discovered us,” Contactmusic quoted him as telling the New York Post.

"We didn't plan any of that, it just happened. I can smell change coming again. I'm thinking of a Nashville sessions record. I'd like to knock out a quick record with a few country writers and artists and me and Richie. I'd like to get two or three artists to do duets with. I'd like to give a couple of Nashville songwriters a chance to shine, and Richie and I would write a few songs to prove we could hold our own with these guys," he added.

The singer made history by becoming the first rock band to top the US country chart earlier this year with his award-winning duet with Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles, “Who Says You Can't Go Home.”

BON JOVI EYES COUNTRY RECORD

Rocker JON BON JOVI is planning a move into country music by recording an album in Nashville, Tennessee. The SLIPPERY WHEN WET singer and his BON JOVI bandmate RICHIE SAMBORA hope to tape the disc with veteran country musicians. Bon Jovi tells the New York Post, "The change is in the music - it's time for change. KEEP THE FAITH was why we stayed relevant in the '90s. In 2000, we changed again when we did IT'S MY LIFE. That's when a new generation discovered us. "We didn't plan any of that, it just happened. I can smell change coming again. I'm thinking of a Nashville sessions record. I'd like to knock out a quick record with a few country writers and artists and me and Richie. "I'd like to get two or three artists to do duets with. I'd like to give a couple of Nashville songwriters a chance to shine, and Richie and I would write a few songs to prove we could hold our own with these guys." Bon Jovi made history by becoming the first rock band to top the US country chart earlier this year (05), when their collaboration with SUGARLAND singer JENNIFER NETTLES, WHO SAYS YOU CAN'T GO HOME, went to number one.