Jerrod Niemann Finishing Work on 2012 Album

Good news for fans of Jerrod Niemann: The singer-songwriter is putting the finishing touches on his next album, which is set to be released in 2012. “We’ve got every single song recorded … now we’re just working on getting them to sound professional,” Niemann tells Taste of Country.

Niemann anticipates having his next single be from the new album, which he hopes will impact country radio in the early spring.

“That will give us time to get back from the holidays and get geared up and hopefully get the word out [about the new music],” he explains. “There are still a couple of songs that we’re deciding from [for the first single]. What’s crazy is usually one song will stick out, you know, screaming ‘Pick me! Pick me!’ but we’ve got a lot of cool songs to chose from.”

Judging by the roster of co-writers filling the next album, it’s no wonder he’s having a hard time picking that first single. “These songs we’ve been writing with Lee Brice and the usual suspects,” reveals Niemann. “We’ve even got a co-write with Lance [Miller] and Tim McGraw on this album. That’s exciting for me and Lance. It was Tim’s idea. There are a lot of cool people lending their wonderful talents to the project. It’s really exciting. We’ve done a lot of things to really try to make it different.”

Niemann’s last album, ‘Judge Jerrod and the Hung Jury,’ became a hit with fans after producing the lead single, ‘Lover Lover,’ and its followup release, ‘What Do You Want.’ The third single and current hit on the rise for Niemann is ‘One More Drinkin’ Song,’ which he recently gave a makeover for a special ‘Mistletoe Mix,’ just in time for the holidays.

“The concept of the last album was ‘organized chaos,’” Niemann says with a smile. “This one, of course, will definitely respect that avenue as well [laughs], but we probably went from a 12-year-old maturity level to 14 on this one.”

“I honestly feel like the music is much better and stronger,” he continues. “Having people actually pay attention to music for once is the most inspiring tool there is. Usually you think there’s no pressure. It’s not pressure; it really truly is passion. I guess if you let it get in your head, you could probably freak yourself out, but I look at it as making music is fun, instead of scared misery.”

Niemann is looking forward to his fans getting their hands on the new music, and he anxiously awaits their honest feedback. “My goal is to make this next album to where people compare it to a wedgie because they dig it,” the singer says with a laugh.

Look for Niemann on the road with Miranda Lambert during the first quarter of the new year. The On Fire Tour will kick off on Jan. 12 in Rockford, Ill. Click here to see a complete list of confirmed cities where the tour will be stopping.