Tim McGraw Apologizes To Fans Over ‘Greatest Hits' Release

Many music artists are often delighted at the thought of being able to produce enough classics to warrant three “Greatest Hits” albums – but not Tim McGraw.

The country star has apologized to his fans after his record label, Curb Records, released a third hits package last week, instead of a record full of new Tim McGraw material.

“I am saddened and disappointed that my label chose to put out another hits album instead of new music,” McGraw said in a statement released to Access Hollywood. “I’ve only had one studio album since my last hits package. It has to be just as confusing to the fans as it is to me. I had no involvement in the creation or presentation of this record.”

“Greatest Hits 3,” a 12-track compilation includes songs from 1995 – present, including McGraw’s current single, “Let It Go.”

It also includes two tracks not previously released on any of McGraw’s studio albums: “Find Out Who Your Friends Are” with Tracy Lawrence and Kenny Chesney, and “Nine Lives” with the rock group Def Leppard, according to The Associated Press.

And while the 41-year-old singer said he is proud of all these songs, it wasn’t the album he wanted to put out.

“Sure I love the songs and I don’t want to take anything away from all the creative people who were a part of making those records. But the whole concept is an embarrassment to me as an artist,” McGraw’s statement continued. “In the spirit of an election year, I would simply say to my fans ‘I’m Tim McGraw and I don’t approve their message.’”

McGraw has been with Curb, an independent label, since 1993.

In a statement to The Associated Press, Curb Records Executive Vice President and General Manager Dennis Hannon appeared to contradict McGraw’s comments, claiming Hannon had several conversations with the singer’s representatives about all aspects of “Greatest Hits 3.”

Hannon also noted the album is projected to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Country chart this week, although he expressed concern over the timing of the album’s release as it relates to the current economy.

Copyright NBCAH - Access Hollywood
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