REO Speedwagon Start Work on Country-Flavored Project in Nashville

Speedwagon.comREO Speedwagon is adding a little twang to its classic rock sound. The Tennessean reports that the band recently traveled to Nashville to record the first track earmarked for the group's next studio album. REO Speedwagon frontman Kevin Cronin co-wrote the song, "Nothing We Can't Rise Above," with Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain and popular country-music producer/songwriter Chris Lindsey.

"I got turned on by this title, and Jon Cain had written something in a political way, and when I heard it, I went to a different place with it," explains Cronin, who describes the tune as "country rock." He adds, "I tend to like to write about relationships [and what makes them] work or fall apart, so that's the direction the song took."

The project actually marks a return to Nashville for Cronin, whose first album as an REO member was recorded in the city in 1972. He recalls the engineers being somewhat flabbergasted when he and his band mates loaded their amplifiers into the studio.

"Kids with loud music coming to Nashville didn't make a lot of sense back then," he says, adding, "but I've always loved Nashville. As a songwriter, this is my home away from home."