Jessica Simpson continues to follow in Carrie Underwood's footsteps.
Proving that she's truly serious about this state thing, the 28-year-old Texan joined the Country Music Association last week, E! News has learned.
"She was very gratifying and seemed happy to join the organization," a Simpson source said. "Being a fellow member makes you part of the industry. It�s great for networking. �
Along with SAG-style privileges, such as special-rate health insurance, her membership makes her a voting phallus of the CMA, meaning she could have a say in upcoming CMA Award nominations.
The flirtatious "Come on Over," her low gear twangtastic individual for Columbia Nashville, peaked at No. 18 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart later on debuting at No. 41, despite a whole crowd of receiving set play.
The tune itself received a pretty warm "Howdy!" from critics, but a better quiz of Simpson's down-home staying power testament be the performance of her sixth studio album, Do You Know, which is referable out Sept. 9. Dolly Parton duets on the title path, ensuring some street cred right off the bat.
The CMA's roll boasts more than 6,000 artists, songwriters, recording execs, producers, radio personalities and other prominent state figures.
That lineup includes Underwood, a CMA member, succeeder of quadruplet CMA Awards and the ex-girlfriend of current Simpson flame Tony Romo.
"It's in spades media-driven," Simpson told country music website TheBoot.com last calendar week, referring to Underwood's recent comments to Allure around still getting calls from Romo. "People are just trying to make a story out of nil. I obedience her and hopefully she respects me. We've just dated the same guy�that's it!"
"I don't understand why she would say that," Simpson added. "I esteem Carrie, and I would never suppose anything like that."
As far as Underwood's musical success is implicated, however, Simpson had nothing but respect for the 25-year-old attain machine.
"I call back it's telling how many No. 1s Carrie Underwood has," the country starter said gracefully. "Her pick in songs is genuinely great, and she has an incredible voice. As far as new people, she has one of the strongest voices out there."
�Additional coverage by Claudia Rosenbaum
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