Bret Michaels: New solo album to feature Def Leppard members

Bret Michaels has been busy touring this summer with Poison for their 25th Anniversary, as well as working in his solo shows to the schedule.

Now that the US tour with Motley Crue has wrapped up, Michaels is off next to Australia next month to open shows for the Crue on his own.

While all this is going on, Bret’s continues to work on his autobiography – set for release next year – and, he’s also been spending some time working on his next solo album, “Get Your Rock On,” and he’s been lining up some special guests to lend a hand to the proceedings.

The project will feature Def Leppard's Joe Elliott and Phil Collen, Stevie Nicks, possibly members of Lynyrd Skynyrd, and younger groups such as Pop Evil and My Darkest Days.

"I'm in the process of doing it as we speak," Michaels tells Billboard. "When you're having other artists perform with you, it's about working with their time schedule and a lot of taking care of some of the business before you can enjoy the pleasure of just jamming together. I try to keep it pretty organic. We have to make sure everyone's good with the timing and can get into the studio to sing. But I think we're going to have a blast making this record."

Michaels already has Elliott and Collen targeted for "Get Your Rock On's" title track, while other collaborations will be determined in the near future. He says the album may also include a live version of "Margaritaville" he performed with Jimmy Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band during 2010 at the DTE Energy Music Theatre in suburban Detroit.

As for a timetable, Michaels is hoping to have a first single -- likely the title track -- out by the end of the year, digitally if not on CD.

Check out more of Bret’s plans from his session with Billboard here.