William Shatner Turns Country Music King

William Shatner just signed a deal with a Nashville record label, and the thought of Capt. Kirk swapping his phaser for a cowboy hat has country music fans are shaking in their cowboy boots!

In 1968, Shatner recorded an album that’s been called one of history's worst, "The Transformed Man," featuring the "Star Trek" start's bizarre spoken-word renditions of hits by The Beatles and Bob Dylan.

In a post-Trek career that ranged from "T.J. Hooker" (alongside Heather Locklear) and "Boston Legal" to books and seven more albums, the bloated C-lister managed to surprise indie-rock fans with 2007's well-received "Has Been." Heartland Records expects to release Bill's country debut later this year.

“This seems like a natural progression for Bill,” The National ENQUIRER learned from a pal. He’s long been a fan of country music — and he’s good pals with country stars Brad Paisley (left) and Vince Gill. He’s trying to corral them into playing on his album.”

The country music world may be laughing — or crying — at the idea of Cowboy Shatner, but veteran Nashville music writer Alex Altman believes the actor is a good fit for country tunes. “You know, Bill doesn’t sing so much as speak his way through songs,” Altman told a source for The ENQUIRER.

“In country music, there’s a grand tradition of what they call recitation songs. Bill Anderson, Jimmy Dean and Porter Wagoner all had hits with songs in which they spoke rather than sang.

"Some country purists may think this is an affront," Altman said of the "Better Late Than Never" star, shown here with co-stars Terry Bradshaw and Henry Winkler. "But probably more people will get a kick out of Bill talking his way through 'He Stopped Loving Her Today'!”