Drummer Jason Bonham (LED ZEPPELIN) has joined forces with legendary bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH), keyboardist Derek Sherinian (ALICE COOPER, DREAM THEATER, KISS, BILLY IDOL) and guitarist Joe Bonamassa in a brand new project tentatively dubbed BLACK COUNTRY.

The group is currently recording its debut album with producer Kevin Shirley (LED ZEPPELIN, JOURNEY, IRON MAIDEN, DREAM THEATER) for a tentative late 2010 release.

Commented Shirley: "So there it is folks — the cat is out the bag! This is BLACK COUNTRY.

"I am producing the debut album and we already have six tracks cut.

"We're going to do the next session in March when I'm through with my current project, and I hope to finish in early April.

"These are all the very best players in the world, for my money! You'll just have to wait — we're planning to get this out late summer, and it's promising to be phenomenal!"

pictured (from left to right): Hughes - Bonham - Bonamassa , only Sherinian missing- read interview!