Country music has often served as a refuge for artists looking to jump-start their flagging commercial fortunes in other genres, and over the last few years, it’s become an even more popular ploy with Jessica Simpson, Jewel and others seeking to find favor with country audiences.

So Kristin Chenoweth knows that her background in musical theater might give some listeners pause, but she says she’s ready to prove her worth with her first country album ‘Some Lessons Learned.’

“I certainly don’t want it to seem like ‘Move over, I’m here!’” Chenoweth joked during the interview portion of her recent AOL Sessions performance. “I have to pay my dues like everybody else.”

And although most listeners know the ‘Glee’ star for her work in other areas — particularly the stage, where she won a Tony Award for her performance in ‘Wicked’ — she says she’s always been a country girl at heart. “It’s the record I feel born to do, so it’s not really switching genres to me, although it’s not what I’m known for,” she explained during the interview.

During the performance portion of the show, Chenoweth treated the audience to ‘I Want Somebody,’ ‘I Didn’t,’ ‘What Would Dolly Do,’ ‘Boy’ and ‘I Was Here.’ To hear her in action, watch the clip below!

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