Darius Rucker gave members of the country music media and invited guests a sneak peek at his upcoming new album True Believers during a performance at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tuesday (Oct. 30). Darius was joined onstage by several of the writers on the project.

“I have learned that the heart and soul of country music is the songwriters,” Darius said before thanking his cohorts. Top Music Row composers Dallas Davidson and Rhett Akins took the stage first to sing their contribution to the album, “Heartbreak Road,” with Darius.

Following the song, Darius shared a humorous story about one of his children, who heard the song on a tape and accused the writers of a “lazy” rhyme in one of the lyrics. Darius and the writers actually went back and fixed the line in question.

Darius also performed the classic tune “Wagon Wheel,” which will feature backing vocals by Lady Antebellum on the album.

Other performances included Darius with songwriters Luke Laird and Ashley Gorley on “Radio” and songwriter Josh Kear and rising star Mallary Hope joining in on “I Will Love You Still.”

Darius closed the event with his current single and the album’s title track, “True Believers,” which he wrote with Josh.

“I’m really proud of this record,” Darius said, smiling. The new album will be released in early 2013. You can buy the single “True Believers” on iTunes and on Amazon now.