By: Andrew Vaughan

Check out the Sundance channel on your TV and you’ll see a fascinating new reality series, Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys. It’s cutting edge TV, featuring a glimpse into the lives of three couples. Nothing new there, but in this case the couples are women and their gay best friends.

One of the couples featured is country singer, Sherrie Austin. Sherrie, from Australia, first burst on the music scene in the late ‘90s with a slew of hit singles, "Lucky in Love", "One Solitary Tear", "Put Your Heart Into It", and "Innocent Man” from her debut album. More hits followed notably: “Little Bird” and a rousing version of Dolly’s “Jolene.”

Then in 2005, feeling a little burned out by the biz, Austin moved to New York and appeared in the Broadway version of Bonnie and Clyde. She kept tabs on the music scene in Nashville by writing hits for other artists—including Blake Shelton and George Strait. Once she realized that the industry had become a different and more exciting beast, (thanks to the immediacy and interaction of the internet and social media), she decided to travel down the country artist route once more. The result is a brand new album, Circus Girl.

So the Internet inspired you to record again?

Pretty much, yes. Suddenly, there was a way for an artist to have control and reach the audience directly and build an audience of followers. It’s pretty cool.

How involved in the record label are you?

Oh, totally. I run it! This is an independent so I have to keep up on all aspects of making and selling the record. It’s been a fast learning curve, from licensing for publishing to artwork but I’m loving it.

The album kicked off with a saucy music video, featuring Sherrie in a skimpy bikini backed by male musicians decked out in tiny Spandex Speedos. Were you concerned it might be a little too cutting edge?

Of course. Nashville is still a pretty conservative place, and the video is a little different, but I wanted to do things my way this time. I’ve spent plenty of time over the years listening to advice and playing the game—trying to second-guess what’s ok and what’s not ok. This time, doing it myself, I though I’d just do want felt right to me. So far the response has been brilliant.

The song was co-written with Shane Stevens—who also appears with her in the Sundance show. Shane is not only Sherrie’s friend but also a top songwriter with Lady Antebellum's “American Honey" under his belt, as well hits for Kellie Pickler, Jordin Sparks, and Sara Evans. Another risky venture?

Absolutely. And Shane had to do a lot of thinking before agreeing to do it. But it’s been very worthwhile. The premise is interesting and grown up. The most amazing thing though, has been the response from my fans. One guy wrote to me who was a huge fan and he was disappointed in me because of the gay thing but I got into a conversation with him and it was respectful and I think helpful. If you can open up people's minds to different lifestyles and different types of people it has to be a good thing.

Has she noticed any difference in the country music business since she went away? Is being a “foreigner" still an issue?

It has definitely changed. The industry is trying to see its way ahead so people are willing to try new things I think. It was unusual to sing country music and not be from the south when I first had a record deal in the '90s. But now, with Shania and Keith (Urban) showing the way, it’s not an issue at all any more.

And for the future?

I’m having such a good time with the record, being back in the music scene, being on a cool TV show... Things just happen when you are in a positive frame of mind and I’m just going to go with the flow and enjoy every minute of it!