Last month, Tritt released "The Storm," his first new studio set in three years. The album, which showcases the musician's blue-eyed country soul, was co-produced by noted bass player and "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson. The collaboration grew out of Tritt's appearance on "Overnight Sensational," an album that Jackson produced for Sam Moore last year. Jackson was so impressed by the country singer that he offered to work with him if he ever decided to record a soul-influenced album, according to a press release.

For Tritt, soul is natural extension of the music he's been doing over the past 25 years.

"Growing up just outside of Atlanta, to the north of us you've got the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville," Tritt explained in a statement. "A little bit south, you've got Macon, Georgia--home of the Allman Brothers, the Marshall Tucker Band and Capricorn Records. And off to the west, you've got Delta blues. Sprinkle Southern gospel over the top of that, and you're talking about where I come from."

The new album's lead single, "You Never Take Me Dancing" (penned by Richard Marx), is Tritt's 40th Top 40 single and continues to hold steady on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart. The set also features tunes written by Tritt, Diane Warren, Rob Thomas and Hank Williams Jr., and special guest players include Charlie Daniels and Kenny Wayne Shepherd.

"The Storm," which reached No. 3 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart, is Tritt's debut on new indie label Category 5 Records. Following his previous studio release, 2004's highly acclaimed "My Honky Tonk History," the performer parted ways with Columbia Records due to differing opinions on the project's direction, according to message posted at his website at the time.

Tritt has sold more than 25 million records and earned two Grammys and three Country Music Association Awards during his career. To salute his quarter century of music making, The Martin Guitar Company recently released a limited-edition, signature Travis Tritt guitar.