With her Academy of Country Music Album of the Year nominee I'm Alright now double platinum, whirlwind Jo Dee Messina is in the midst of finishing her third album project in Nashville. The woman -- who is the only female this decade to place two songs in Billboard's Top 10 Most Played Songs of the Year for two consecutive years (1998: "Bye, Bye" #2 and "I'm Alright" #4, 1999: "Lesson In Leavin'" #3 and "Stand Beside Me" #7) -- known for her freewheeling stage presence and good-time attitude is once again working with producers Bryon Gallimore and Tim McGraw.

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"We want the album to show growth," Messina notes, "but not be so far to the left that people think, 'Where did she go?' Tim and Byron did that. We started this making this album in August of 1998 - and it's been a long process. But now that we're near completion, I go back and listen to what we have and I'm so ecstatic that we took this long again to make this record."

Though it's yet to be titled, Messina's upcoming project plays to her strength as both a power singer and an interpreter who can match heart with grit. Again revisiting the themes of real life, devotion, resolve and finding a moment of joy in the day-to-day grind, the reigning Academy of Country Music Top New Female Vocalist and Country Music Association's Horizon Award winner seeks to speak to people who're leading lives just like the rest of us.

"I hope the fans and all my friends in radio will like it," Messina says. "Let's cross our fingers come release date, because that's when they let you know."

Messina is currently on tour with the Judds. She is also a triple Kahlua Boston Music Awards triple nominee -- for Act of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year and Single of the Year. At last year's BMA's the Holliston, Massachusetts-born and raised vocalist was tapped as not only Female Vocalist and Country Artist of the Year, but beat out perennial local favorites Aerosmith, Paula Cole, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Rob Zombie for Artist of the Year.

Look for Messina's third album to hit stores late spring this spring or in the early summer.