That’s right. The Aerosmith frontman and (up to now) lifelong rocker has been living, writing songs and recording in Nashville. His first country single, “Love Is Your Name,” was sent to radio on May 13, the same day he performed it on the last episode of the latest season of American Idol. USA Today‘s country music reporter Brian Mansfield says “it doesn’t sound quite like anything else on country radio at the moment,” as its first notes are played on autoharp – an old-time instrument used by country music pioneers The Carter Family and one of Tyler’s favorite 1960s pop bands, The Lovin’ Spoonful.
Tyler describes the tune as “a little bit between Steven Tyler and Mumford & Sons and the Everly Brothers.” After this summer’s Aerosmith tour he plans to return to Music City to finish recording what will be his first solo album for the Big Machine country label. Rock fans can take heart in the fact that the market for 67-year-old country artists much less rock singers on today’s country radio is extremely limited.
