Reba McEntire released the second single from her Reba Duets album today to radio. For the follow-up to her first top 10 hit since 2003, McEntire tapped pop star Justin Timberlake.

The duet began as a suggestion given to Reba in the dressing room of her sitcom, Reba.

"One day [Joanna Garcia and I] were in the makeup room there on the set," says Reba, "and Joanna said, 'You know who you ought to do a duet with? Justin.' I said, "Do you think he would?" And she said, "I know he would! He loves you!"

Sure enough, Timberlake stepped up with "The Only Promise That Remains," which he co-wrote with best friend Matt Morris expressly for McEntire.

"I told Justin I was very nervous about hearing the song," she says. "I didn't know if it was going to be 'Sexy Back II' or what!"

Timberlake, whom McEntire now describes as "cute as a button," wove his own harmony vocal into the song as co-producer with Reba, and joined her list of incredibly talented pals.

"It was really a lot of fun getting to know him," says McEntire. "We went to supper after recording, and just hung out. He's very down-to-earth."

Labels: Justin Timberlake, Reba McEntire