When Etta Britt sings the Harlan Howard-penned classic “The Chokin’ Kind” from her new album, Out of the Shadows, it’s hard to imagine she would have ever been happy just singing behind other artists.

But Britt is a self-confessed harmony junkie, and over the years she has become a much sought-after backing vocalist, working with the likes of     Delbert McClinton, Al Kooper, Marty Stuart, Billy Joe Shaver, REO Speedwagon and more.

                “When I first heard The  Supremes, I wanted to be a Supreme,” Britt explains. “I never cared if I was Diana Ross.”

On the aptly titled Out of the Shadows, though, Britt flourishes in the spotlight that she’s ceded to  so many others since she first showed up on the music scene in 1978 as a member of the acclaimed Country Music trio Dave & Sugar.

Filled with heart-piercing, soul affirming tunes — many written by Britt herself — Out of the Shadows is her debut solo offering and the flagship release for the Wrinkled Records label.  With what she calls a "cool groove record", Britt stakes her claim as one of the most versatile singers working today.

“These songs are incredibly important and personal to me,” Britt says.  “They reflect where I am right now in my life, and it just seemed time for me to step out front.”