Ann Wilson of Heart, one of rock's most distinctive and powerful vocalists, has released "I Am The Highway" as the first track from her new album that's due out September 14th via BMG. Fittingly titled Immortal, the album features 10 musically diverse tracks that pay tribute to some of Ann's influences and friends who've recently passed and whose music poignantly lives on.

"I Am The Highway" - originally an Audioslave song that was sung by the late Chris Cornell and written with his bandmates - was released today across all digital platforms. The song is also available as an instant-grat track with album pre-orders, starting today; click here to access.

"The song is strong, confident, spiritual," says the iconic Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee of "I Am The Highway". "It's about a person who refuses to be tied down to the mundane, who is constantly looking for freedom and independence on a more universal scale, not just ordinary everyday reality. It was the cry of a soul, and it's a beautiful song. Chris and I were friends; we had a lot in common, we were both outsiders in a way. He left us with amazing music."

For Immortal, which marks her debut for BMG, Ann has teamed with original Heart producer Mike Flicker (Dreamboat Annie, Magazine, Little Queen, Dog and Butterfly and Bebe Le Strange, among others). "Mike was the first producer to believe in me," Ann says. "He was my first teacher in the studio and knows how to provide that special support needed to bring out my soul in the recording process. It is exciting to work with him for the first time since 1980. I have traveled many, many miles since then but the old feeling is still there and fresh on Immortal. He has fearlessly helped me bring my ideas to life once again and it's been a great collaboration."

Ann chose the album title Immortal after revealing some working titles early on in the project. "The original working titles evolved as the concept for the album evolved; a little bit at a time," explains Ann. "As my understanding of what I had undertaken grew and clarified, I realized a larger truth; that the souls may have departed but the songs will forever be their resonances. These are the poets of our time and their expressions must be handed down. Poetry is lasting and elemental like carvings in rock."

The finely etched tracks that comprise Immortal cover a lot of musical ground, with many highlights including songs by Leonard Cohen ("A Thousand Kisses Deep"), Amy Winehouse ("Back to Black"), David Bowie ("I'm Afraid of Americans"), Lesley Gore ("You Don't Own Me") and Tom Petty ("Luna"). Ann says the criteria for choosing this collection of songs was easy. "First of all, I had to LOVE them! They had to be songs I could get inside of authentically as a singer. Lyrics are important to me but the most important thing is always the marriage of words and melody that makes the song magic!"

With sexism at the forefront of the national conversation, Ann says this did factor into the inclusion of "You Don't Own Me". "'You Don't Own Me' was originally an early feminist anthem in the 1960's and '70's. Since then the idea of self possession has grown to be more universal...This song is about refusing to be objectified and owned. By anyone."

Immortal includes some very special guests as well. "Warren Haynes plays on Tom Petty's 'Luna' and 'You Don't Own Me,'" Ann reveals. "Ben Mink is featured on Leonard Cohen's 'A Thousand Kisses Deep' and Amy Winehouse's 'Back to Black.' They are both musicians and great people whom I admire. It's always a pleasure and an honor to work with them. Their souls shine through on these songs!"

Immortal tracklisting:

"A Different Corner" (George Michael)
"A Thousand Kisses Deep" (Leonard Cohen)
"Back To Black" (Amy Winehouse)
"Baker Street" (Gerry Rafferty)
"I Am The Highway" (Chris Cornell, Audioslave)
"I'm Afraid Of Americans" (David Bowie)
"Life In The Fast Lane" (Joe Walsh, The Eagles) in honor of Glenn Frey
"Luna" (Tom Petty)
"Politician" (Cream) in honor of Jack Bruce
"You Don't Own Me" (Lesley Gore)

Ann Wilson's upcoming tour dates are listed below.

Headline dates:

July
6 - Snoqualmie, WA - Snoqualmie Casino
7 - Bremerton, WA - Admiral Theatre
9 - Salem, OR - Elsinore Theatre
11 - Jacksonville, OR - Britt Pavilion
12 - Lemoore, CA - Tachi Palace
14 - Albuquerque, NM - Route 66 Casino
15 - Aspen, CO - Belly Up

Stars Align Tour with Jeff Beck and Paul Rodgers:

July
18 - West Valley City, UT - Usana Amphitheatre
20 - Los Angeles, CA - Five Point Amphitheatre
22 - Chula Vista, CA - Mattress Firm Amphitheatre
24 - Houston, TX - Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land
25 - Dallas, TX - The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
28 - St. Louis, MO - Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
29 - Chicago, IL - Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
31 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre

August
1 - Toronto, ON - Budweiser Stage
3 - Boston, MA - Blue Hills Bank Pavilion
4 - Camden, NJ - BB&T Pavilion
7 - Lewiston, NY - Artpark Amphitheatre ^
8 - Cincinnati, OH - Riverbend Music Center
10 - Indianapolis, IN - Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center
11 - Pittsburgh, PA Heinz Hall For The Performing Arts ^
12 - Holmdel, NJ - P.N.C. Bank Arts Center
14 - Wantagh, NY - Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
17 - Nashville, TN - Nashville Municipal Auditorium
19 - Charlotte, NC - PNC Music Pavilion
20 - Vienna, VA - Wolf Trap ^
23 - Jacksonville, FL - Daily's Place
25 - West Palm Beach, FL - Coral Sky Amphitheatre
26 - Tampa, FL - MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
        
^ with Jeff Beck only

With Cheap Trick:
    
September
21 - Lincoln, CA - Thunder Valley Casino Resort