Looks like Jessica Simpson’s country crooning days are over.

The singer, 28, is no longer with the Sony Nashville label, her rep confirms to Usmagazine.com.

Earlier today, blogs were abuzz that Simpson was dropped from the label after her name was noticeably missing from both the Columbia Nashville and Sony Music Nashville websites.

Simpson also skipped Sunday’s Academy of Country Music Awards, even though she announced the nominees earlier this year.

But the singer’s rep tells Us, “She was on loan to Sony Nashville for her country album.”

Simpson, who has released pop albums on the Epic label, “is and has always been an Epic artist,” her rep adds. “She continues to be on Epic’s label.”

Although Simpson’s country debut, Do You Know, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard country charts, it only sold 172,876 copies as of February.

Simpson also struggled as she opened for Rascal Flatts this year, often flubbing lines or forgetting lyrics altogether. (It didn’t help that critics seemed to focus more on her weight gain than her singing.)

Still, Simpson was always convinced that country was for her.

“I am a country girl. I grew up in Texas, and country music was what I listened to,” she said.

She also cited Martina McBride, Shania Twain and Faith Hill as inspirations: “I think there is a strength in female country artists.”

Source

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