What is my favorite country singer, Alan Jackson, up to these days?
—Allyson Anderson, Bedford, Ky.
The country hit maker, 54, is geared up with 2013 concert dates that stretch from Canada to Hawaii, but he did slow down enough to put the finishing touches on his new CD, “Precious Memories, Volume II.” The follow-up to his successful 2006 country-gospel crossover album, it features Jackson’s honky-tonk take on 11 classic old-time church hymns, including “Amazing Grace,” “Just As I Am,” “Love Lifted Me” and “Sweet Hour of Prayer.”