It comes as no surprise that Jewel, an acclaimed American singer, songwriter, actress, poet, painter, philanthropist and daughter to an Alaskan cowboy singer-songwriter, finds herself in the embrace of country music for the release of her seventh career album, Perfectly Clear.

From the remote ranch of her Alaskan youth to the triumph of international stardom, the three-time Grammy nominee, hailed by New York Times as a "songwriter bursting with talents" has enjoyed career longevity rare among her generation of artists. Whether alone with her guitar or fronting a band of ace musicians, Jewel has always been a charismatic live performer, earning the respect of other singer-songwriters such as Merle Haggard, Bob Dylan and Neil Young, who not only invited her to open their shows, but who mentored her in the early phases of her career. Her singular style and beauty continuously land her on the covers of such diverse magazines as Time, People, Entertainment Weekly, Vanity Fair, InStyle, Glamour and Seventeen. Stuff listed her among its '102 Sexiest Women in the World while Blender went further, crowning her 'rocks sexiest poet.

Jewel's personal odyssey, partly chronicled on one of the best selling debut albums of all time, the twelve-time platinum Pieces of You, comes full circle with her forthcoming country album, Perfectly Clear, the debut release on newly launched Nashville-based independent label The Valory Music Co.

The Valory Music Co. president Scott Borchetta says, "Jewel is an amazing singer-songwriter and its high-time she made this long-talked about move to Country. She has been successful with each step in her career and I am continually amazed by her natural talent. She is a big star that has yet to reach its zenith and I couldn't be more proud to kick off this new label with her as the flagship artist."

Jewel is set apart her whole career for not only singing, but writing all her songs, and this album is no exception. "I've been writing country songs my whole career.. some of the songs on this record date back to when I was 18 years old. I've been hanging on to them until now. They were meant for a record like this one."

The first single off the record "Stronger Woman" is a powerful and positive message that resonates with women of any age.

Perfectly Clear is produced by Jewel and John Rich of Big and Rich fame. "Jewel is probably one of the greatest American singer-songwriters we have.. it is such an honor to work with anyone of that caliber of talent," Rich says.

"If I were discovered today, there is no doubt that I would be signed as a country artist. Songs like "You Were Meant For Me" would have been a country hit today, and not a pop hit as it was in the 90's. The genres have changed more than I feel I have," says Jewel.

Sitting around a campfire on her ranch in Alaska, as a young girl, Jewel was first exposed to songwriting by her father and it has carried with her throughout her career. "I'm first and foremost a songwriter.. I've been writing music since I was young- I got it from my dad. He was a cowboy and a songwriter. That to me is what country music is all about- telling a story that's honest and true- that reveals something of yourself. I'm thrilled to be in front of an audience that prizes storytelling above all other things."