It's rare to see simultaneous releases by one artist in two different genres, but singer-songwriter-guitarist Jim Lauderdale ably juggles the trick.

Along the way, he also proves that this is one of the simplest in his bag of tricks.

Lauderdale has smithed songs for the stars: Billboard chart-toppers such as George Strait's "Stay Out of My Arms," Mark Chesnutt's "Gonna Get a Life," Patty Loveless' "Halfway Down," and more for the likes of the Dixie Chicks. And he's released a previous album of bluegrass, a joint project in 2002 with legend Ralph Stanley.

Yet even with these highlights to his resume, Lauderdale himself isn't a household name. Thus, his album title, Country Super Hits! Vol. 1, is a tongue-in-cheek laugh at his own efforts to top the charts.

It's also a darn fine album. Lauderdale's music here is pure honky tonk, from the solid roadhouse groove to his tears-in-the-beer lyrics. There's kitsch and there's country corn, but throughout it all, this is good stuff.

Bluegrass rides a line between traditional and more country-pop-tinged bluegrass. Alongside Bryan Sutton's lead guitar and Jason Stewart's banjo, the album's packed with tasty dobro from Randy Kohrs. And the kickoff track, "Mighty Lonesome," is a tour de force.