"I've had a blast working on this album with some of my closest friends, who also happen to be some of the best singers in the world!" McEntire said in a statement, adding, "I'm thrilled to death with the folks that came and did the project with me."

The album's first single, "Because of You" with Clarkson, is already making waves at radio and has become McEntire's fastest-climbing song since 1998's "Forever Love," according to a press release. The two will perform the tune on the television special "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock," which will air July 23 on the ABC network. The duet is also streaming at McEntire's MySpace page.

In the meantime, McEntire continues her tour tonight (7/19) at Eau Claire, WI's Country Jam USA. The trek, which began in April, will take the singer through several more fairs and festivals in the US through mid-September. McEntire will also reprise her roll as Nellie Forbush in "South Pacific," which is being staged Aug. 3-5 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Details are listed below.

Dubbed "The Queen of Country Music," McEntire has sold more than 49 million records in a career that spans three decades, 29 albums, 33 No. 1 singles and a truckload of awards, according to her bio. The singer's mantle holds 15 American Music Awards, 12 Academy of Country Music Awards, seven Country Music Association trophies, two Grammys and the CMT Johnny Cash Visionary Award.

As an actress, McEntire has won honors for her Broadway debut in 2001's "Annie Get Your Gun" and for her No. 1 CW network sitcom, "Reba," which ran from 2001 to 2007.

The performer is also a successful author, a longtime supporter of Habitat for Humanity, and has her own line of clothing and home products sold via Dillard's department stores and her website.