Hayden Panettiere keen to record country album

Actress HAYDEN PANETTIERE has her sights set on recording a full country album after starring as an up-and-coming singer in new TV drama NASHVILLE.

The former Heroes beauty, who has successfully dabbled with music in the past, is now showing off her vocal talents as devious Juliette Barnes on the musical drama, and she admits performing live on the show has been both daunting and exciting.

She tells Us Weekly magazine, "It's intense and intimidating and, at the same time, thrilling. Once I'm up on stage and comfortable, you can't get me off."

Panettiere has been receiving some helpful tips from her pal and Pistol Annies singer Ashley Monroe as she perfects her onscreen performances, and she admits returning to the stage has reignited her passion for music.

She adds, "I recorded an album when I was younger, and I always said that if I was going to go back to music, I would do country. I'm keeping my fingers crossed."

Panettiere, 23, was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1999 for a song she recorded for the soundtrack for A Bug's Life, titled Read-Along. She voiced Princess Dot in the hit animated movie.