Aerosmith Rocker Steven Tyler Working with BMLG

Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta with Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler during the label’s CMA Awards afterparty in Nashville in 2014. Photo: Getty Images

There seems to be a new rocker-turned-country performer in Music City.

MusicRow has confirmed that Aerosmith rocker Steven Tyler is working with Big Machine Label Group for an upcoming project, which is said to have some definite country leanings.

Big Machine Label Group had no official comment.

Tyler first spoke of his desire to record a country-influenced project in October 2014 during a Twitter Q&A. “I’m going down to Nashville January, February, March, April to write and see what we get,” Tyler said. “You know, doing an album is kind of like panning for gold. You get so much sand and dirt until you find a little nugget and you work on the nugget…you know I grew up with The Everly Brothers. Even ‘Cryin’s’ got a little [twang]. Of course I had to do it more Aerosmith-ish which was rocked out. There’s just a piece of me that loves country so much, and I’m not sure what kind of country that is, but it’s got the 5th harmony…it’s just those kind of melodies that are just so so good.”

Tyler has been in Music City frequently in recent years, including a surprise Bluebird Cafe appearance, when he performed after an in-the-round that featured Mallary Hope, Phil Barton, Lindsey Lee and Aerosmith collaborator Marti Frederiksen. In 2013, Keith Urban welcomed Tyler as a guest during a club show at Nashville’s Tootsies, where Tyler joined Urban onstage for a collaboration.

He has also collaborated with some of Music City’s leading female vocalists. Tyler recently provided vocals for Jana Kramer‘s song “Bullet,” to be included on her untitled sophomore project. He performed with Carrie Underwood on the 2011 Academy of Country Music Awards, and collaborated with Underwood in 2012 for an episode of CMT Crossroads.

Additionally, Tyler and Big Machine Label Group president/CEO Scott Borchetta have an American Idol connection. Tyler was a judge on the music competition from 2011-2012, while Borchetta recently signed on as an Idol mentor. This season’s winner will earn a recording deal with Big Machine Label Group.