VOA常速英语:Bret Michaels' New CD is 'Custom Built' for Rock, Country Fans

During the past four months, Bret Michaels, lead singer of rock band Poison, underwent an emergency appendectomy and suffered a near-fatal brain hemorrhage.  But, those health problems didn't keep him down for long. 

Bret Michael's ties to Nashville are evident on his new album, Custom Built.  Its first single, "Nothing To Lose," was recorded in several different styles.  The Country version is a duet with Miley Cyrus.

Bret also included a Country version of the Poison classic, "Every Rose Has Its Thorn", with Country singers Chris Cagle and Mark Wills, and Brad Arnold of the rock band 3 Doors Down.

Custom Built also includes many hard rock songs that will appeal to fans who have followed Bret's career with Poison since the 1980s.  

Bret was appearing on season three of the reality television show Celebrity Apprentice when he was struck with a life-threatening brain hemorrhage.  He spent weeks in the hospital's intensive care unit before moving to a physical rehabilitation center to improve his walking and speech.  Upon his release, Bret had a mild stroke, which required additional hospital care.  Doctors also found a hole in his heart, which will require surgery later this year.  

Bret recovered in time to appear on the finale of Celebrity Apprentice.  He won the competition and its $250,000 prize, which he donated to the American Diabetes Association.  Bret was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of six.   

Since winning Celebrity Apprentice, Bret has been busier than ever.  He's currently performing a U.S. tour in support of his new album.  Concerts run through the end of October.  Later this year, he'll launch a new television reality show.  "Bret Michaels: Life As I Know It" will give fans an inside look at the private life he shares with his long-time girlfriend, Kristi Lynn Gibson, and their two young daughters.  His new album contains the show's theme song, "Riding Against The Wind."