Alan Jackson's Freight Train album won't be released until March 30th, but fans can purchase a new track every week for the next three weeks at the iTunes Store. The exclusive countdown pre-release begins now with "Hard Hat and a Hammer." The song "Every Now And Then" will be available beginning on March 16th, followed by "Where I Belong" on March 23rd. Each download will count toward the purchase of the full album through iTunes' Complete My Album feature.

Each song will also be available as a free 60-second preview on Billboard.com.

The first single from Freight Train, called "It's Just That Way," is also currently available as a digital single through the iTunes Store.

The new CD includes eight original songs written by Alan, as well as a duet with Lee Ann Womack on the Vern Gosdin classic, "Till the End."

Freight Train is Alan's 18th album.

Darius Rucker will host his first annual "Darius and Friends" concert in Nashville at The Wildhorse Saloon on June 7th. The event will benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Of course, Darius will perform at the show, along with other musical guests who will be announced at a later date. Tickets to Darius and Friends will go on sale Saturday (March 13th) at wildhorsesaloon.com or by calling 615-902-8200.

LeAnn Rimes' first feature film, Good Intentions, is released on DVD this week. Billed as an "off-beat comedy," the movie also stars Luke Perry. LeAnn said, "I've been wanting to act. It's just been finding the right thing. And Good Intentions was the right thing at the right time. It was the right script." Two of LeAnn's songs, "Nothin' Better To Do" and "Family," also appear on the soundtrack.

Newcomer Laura Bell Bundy's major label debut album, Achin' And Shakin', is slated for release on April 13th. The CD will include her debut single, "Giddy On Up."

Josh Kelley has finished work on his new album. In a recent Tweet, he wrote, "Next step is mixing. Then mastering. I'll Start throwing out teasers on the new website soon. Hope all is well." Last fall, he signed a new record deal with Universal Music Group Nashville, so fans can expect a more country-tinged album from Kelley.

Although his new album has a country sound, growing up Kelley was influenced by artists from the 60s and '70s. He tells us that his older brother got him into music: "When I was a little kid my older brother pretty much smushed like Led Zeppelin, and um, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, Jethro Tull. That's what I was listening to. I didn't have a chance to listen to like New Kids on the Block and all that 'cause I had an older brother. So, that's what I knew."

Kelley's most recent set, To Remember, came out in 2008.