LeAnn Rimes hype

PRAISE FROM HER ELDERS: One of next week’s more intriguing releases is LeAnn Rimes’ Lady & Gentlemen (on Curb Asylum), on which she tackles a dozen classic sxongs from country legends like Merle Haggard, George Jones, Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings and Tennessee Ernie Ford. "I wanted to take a step back in time and reinterpret these songs from a woman's perspective and hopefully help reintroduce them to a new audience," Rimes said of the project, co-produced by Vince Gill and Darrell Brown. “When I heard LeAnn Rimes version of ‘He Stopped Loving Her Today,’ the first thing out of my mouth was, ‘Damn, that girl can sing!’ George Jones marveled. ‘I have always loved LeAnn's voice, but she really nailed it, along with all the other songs she has recorded for this album. When I am asked what young artists I love to listen to, LeAnn is always included in that list. She’s keeping it country, which is what I love.” Rimes will be on Ellen Sept. 28 and Leno Oct. 4, performing at the Grand Ole Opry a week later. (9/21a)