Tanya Tucker has a new album in the can, almost ready to go. All that’s left to do are some finishing touches, including mixing and final packaging. The upcoming set (release date to be determined) would mark her first new studio effort since 2009’s “My Turn.” And by the sound of it, she’s pretty proud of the result.
“I think it’s the best I’ve done … What makes me say that is that I’ve been involved in every part of it … every intricate detail, I’ve been there. I’ve been involved with this album more than I’ve ever been with a record,” she told The Huffington Post during an AOL Build interview on Monday.
But what she really wants to tackle next is a duets album. The 57-year-old country singer has already talked to Bob Dylan about recording something together.
“I’ve yet to really do the collaborations that I really want to do. I’m really looking forward to taking that on … I’m thinking Tom Petty. I always wanted to do something with Merle Haggard, and of course time ran out on that,” she said about working with the late singer, who died in April. “But different people ... Eric Clapton is one of my favorites … These guys aren’t getting any younger and neither am I so we need to get to it!”
She also has her eyes on some younger country talent.
“I’d love to do something with maybe one of the new boys,” she added, tossing out names like Keith Urban and Blake Shelton.
Clearly, the singer, who joined the country music scene at the tender age of 13, isn’t ready to hang up her cowboy hat any time soon. She has a slew of tour dates lined up this year and, later this month, she’ll receive the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award during the 10th annual ACM Honors.
“I still have a lot left to do,” she said. “There’s always going to be something new. You’re never at the top of the mountain. I always feel like I’m looking at Mount Everest and putting my hiking boots on … I never feel like I’m there yet. It’s always a journey.”
For more from Huffington Post’s AOL Build interview, check out the video below.