This Way, Jewel's proper follow-up to 1998's Spirit was released on Tuesday, and for that fans should feel fortunate. The album almost didn't happen.

"I took a long break, and I didn't know if I wanted to come back to it," Jewel said Tuesday at a press conference announcing the American Music Award nominees (see "Alicia Keys Leads List Of American Music Awards Nominees").

"The joy just left. I always liked writing songs — it was sort of the big running-for-mayor part I got tired of. I wasn't sure if I wanted to run for homecoming queen every single time I did a record. I tried to pace myself this time, and it gave me the energy I needed."

Running for mayor? Homecoming queen? One only needs to see a slice of Jewel's day planner to understand her analogies. Check out this hefty schedule:

Wednesday - perform at New York Civil Liberties Union's 50th anniversary celebration in New York

Thursday afternoon - perform "Standing Still" on "TRL"

Thursday night - accept the Rolling Stone Do Something Award at the sixth annual Gala in New York City

Saturday morning - perform on NBC's "Weekend Today"

Saturday night - national anthem at the world heavyweight title match in Las Vegas

November 23 - perform on "Late Night With Conan O'Brien"

December 2 - perform at "My VH1 Music Awards"

December 5 - perform on "The Rosie O'Donnell Show"

December 14 - premiere of HBO's "Def Poetry Special"

December 15 - perform on CBS's "The Saturday Early Show"

December 21 - perform on "Larry King Live"

December 25 - perform on "Today Show"

And that doesn't include the four radio station festivals she'll play in December. Jewel isn't just promoting a new album, she's also just released the paperback edition of her book "Chasing Down the Dawn" and the DVD version of her 1999 home video, "Jewel: A Life Uncommon."

This Way, Jewel's first release since 1999's Joy: A Holiday Collection, was recorded earlier this year in Nashville. Jewel co-produced the album with Dann Huff (Megadeth, Faith Hill), marking her first time behind the boards.

"When you hire a producer, it's like hiring a portrait artist," Jewel said. "If you hired Picasso during his blue period it would be you, but it would be Picasso during his blue period. If you hired Glen Ballard, you would sound like a Glen Ballard. It isn't an insult — that's just what the industry is like right now. I wanted it to look like me and sound like me."

Jewel went to Nashville to escape pop music and get back to her folk roots. Along the way, she made what she considers her most rock and roll record.

"I didn't want to think about singles or what is happening on the radio," Jewel said. "It was the first time I felt totally comfortable in the studio. I sang everything live with the band. It's based on the live show more, and I think people will find the singing really different."

Among the songwriters who collaborated with Jewel on This Way was Itaal Shur, co-writer of the Santana smash "Smooth." Shur helped out on "Serve the Ego," a Indian-flavored tune with the chorus "Get on your hands and knees/ And praise the new deity/ Serve the ego" (see "Jewel Not 'Standing Still' On New Album").

Jewel co-wrote "Till We Run Out of Road" with her boyfriend, rodeo star Ty Murray. Other tracks on the album include the single "Standing Still," which has been climbing radio charts since it hit the airwaves last month, and two bonus live cuts, "Grey Matter" and "Sometimes It May Be That Way."

"I am not sure it's what's happening now, but it's a record that I really love," Jewel said. "It's a really eclectic record."

Jewel said she plans to embark on a nationwide tour in March.

Jewel tour dates, according to Atlantic:

  • 12/11 - Detroit, MI @ State Theatre (Q-95.5's Jingle Ball)
  • 12/13 - New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden (Z100's Jingle Ball)
  • 12/16 - Miami, FL @ American Airlines Arena (Y-100's Jingle Ball)
  • 12/20 - Denver, CO @ Pepsi Center (95.7 KISSmas Freedom Bash)