Tim McGraw News

Tim McGraw says his record label, Curb Records, released a greatest hits package of his songs against his wishes and without his involvement.

McGraw, 41, said in a statement Tuesday that he's been working on a new studio album for more than a year, playing some of the new songs on tour and wanted to release the CD this fall.

But instead, he said, Curb Records released the greatest hits collection — his third overall and second since just 2006 — last week to extend his recording contract term.

"I'm saddened and disappointed that my label chose to put out another hits album instead of new music," McGraw said. "I've only had one studio album since my last hits package. It has to be just as confusing to the fans as it is to me."

The singer said he had no involvement in the creation or presentation of the record, "Greatest Hits 3."

The 12-track disc includes McGraw hits going back to 1995 up to his current single, "Let It Go." It also includes two tracks not previously released on any of McGraw's albums: "Find Out Who Your Friends Are" with Tracy Lawrence and Kenny Chesney, and "Nine Lives" with the rock group Def Leppard.

"Sure I love the songs and I don't want to take anything away from all the creative people who were part of making those records. But the whole concept is an embarrassment to me as an artist.

"In the spirit of the election year, I would simply say to my fans 'I'm Tim McGraw and I don't approve their message,'" he said.

Curb Records Executive Vice President and General Manager Dennis Hannon said in a statement that he had several conversations with McGraw's representatives about all aspects of "Greatest Hits 3." He also said the CD is projected to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Country chart this week, though he expressed concern that it was released "right at the peak of the collapse of the economic and finance markets."

"We are going to work hard to try to take the current single 'Let It Go' to number one in hopes that the economic climate is improving and that sales will also improve."

Nielsen SoundScan releases the previous week's sales figures on Wednesdays. Billboard uses the figures to calculate its country albums chart.

McGraw has been with Curb, an independent label, since his 1993 debut. Other artists on the roster include LeAnn Rimes, Jo Dee Messina and Rodney Atkins.

McGraw had a similar dispute with Curb Records in 2000 when he wanted release an album of new material, but the label instead put out his first greatest hits package in time for the holiday season.

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