SouthernEdition.com Restaurant Chain Launches New Country Music Collection

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Most people know Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores for their comfort food and gift items, but over the past few years, the chain has also become a player on the music scene.

Since launching its own music label in 2003, Cracker Barrel has sold more than 2.5 million CDs, including titles by Amy Grant, Sara Evans, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Johnny Cash, and the Charlie Daniels Band. Cracker Barrel has also introduced the Grand Ole Opry Live Classics series.

Using in-store play as a way to entice consumers to the cash registers, Cracker Barrel is carving a new niche in the music retailer sector. Its latest release is Songs of the Year, which is available only at Cracker Barrel stores or www.crackerbarrel.com.

Songs of the Year includes Trisha Yearwood singing "Back Home Again," Trace Adkins performing "Sunday Morning Coming Down" and country legend George Jones teaming up with Dierks Bentley to deliver "Murder on Music Row." Deana Carter joins rock icons Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart for a potent version of Vince Gill's "Go Rest High on That Mountain."

The collection features country music's top artists performing songs that earned "Song of the Year" recognition from the Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music or the Grammy Awards.

Randy Travis, JoDee Messina, Blake Shelton, Lonestar, The Wreckers, Jack Ingram, Jamie O'Neal, Deana Carter and Michael McDonald are among the artists participating on the 12-song collection.

"This CD continues our tradition of connecting country music's past and present," said Simon Turner, Cracker Barrel's chief marketing officer.

Cracker Barrel collaborated with Vector Management on this project to generate support for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Cracker Barrel and Vector will donate $125,000 to the not-for-profit museum.