Jessica Simpson a Country Crooner

(andPOP) - Ever since "The Dukes of Hazard" wrapped in 2005, Jessica Simpson has been dying to slip on those cowboy boots, some tight denim shorts and exercise that charming southern drawl again.

At present, Columbia Records and Jessica Simpson are hard at work putting the blonde bombshell's debut country album together.

Referencing some of her most favourite musical inspirations like Martina McBride, Faith Hill and Canadian starlet Shania Twain, Yahoo News quoted Simpson in saying: "I think there is a strength in female country artists."

"Writing is a release for me," she revealed. "It's a way for me to tell my story. That's not to say I wouldn't record a song that I didn't write."

Columbia expects a release date sometime this year.