LEBANON, TN. (Top40 Charts/ Cracker Barrel Old Country Store) - Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. ('Cracker Barrel') is honored to announce an official partnership with one of country music's fastest rising stars, Grammy and Academy of Country
Music nominee Josh Turner. This partnership includes a tour sponsorship and exclusive CD to be recorded live during Josh Turner's April 19th concert at Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium, known worldwide as 'The Mother Church of Country Music.' The April 19th concert, Turner's first full-length show at the Ryman, will kick off Cracker Barrel's sponsorship of his summer concert tour.
'I'm excited to be taking Cracker Barrel on the road with me this year,' said Josh Turner. 'The band and I never get tired of seeing a Cracker Barrel sign off the side of the interstate. When you're on the road, it's nice to know that you can pull into any Cracker Barrel and feel like you're in your mama's kitchen, waiting on your favorite meal. I am pretty sure my band and I have all the Cracker Barrel exits memorized between here and South Carolina.'
Embraced by fans and critics alike, Turner's signature baritone voice has earned him comparisons to legends George Jones and Johnny Cash. Cracker Barrel secured a partnership with Turner because of the artist's great fit with Cracker Barrel and country music. Prior to the tour sponsorship and CD deal, Turner was the 'voice' of Cracker Barrel's Christmas holiday advertising campaign. The commercials aired on radio stations throughout the United States.
'Josh Turner seems right at home at Cracker Barrel,' said Simon Turner, Chief Marketing Officer at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. 'Our guests enjoy country music and Josh has a voice and style that connect generations of country music fans. We believe this live CD will be an excellent addition to our exclusive line of music.'
Josh Turner's performance at the historic Ryman Auditorium will be the first concert in his Cracker Barrel-sponsored tour. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Presents Josh Turner will continue April 20th in Wabash, Indiana. Other concert stops include Louisville, Kentucky; Nashville, Tennessee; Richland Center, Wisconsin; Montgomery, Alabama & Columbia, South Carolina.
During the Ryman show, Josh will sing his hits as well as personal favorites that have not appeared on any of his previous releases. The resulting CD will be a collection of songs performed at the Ryman. Scheduled for release later this summer, the CD will be available exclusively at all Cracker Barrel Old Country Store? locations and online at crackerbarrel.com.
'I am looking forward to working with Cracker Barrel on my first live album that will be recorded at the historic Ryman Auditorium,' said Turner. 'This is definitely going to be one of the most memorable nights of my career. It's gonna be fun.'
Turner's sophomore release on MCA Nashville, YOUR MAN, debuted at No 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart and was recently certified double platinum. Songs from this latest release have earned three ACM Award nominations. His No 1 smash 'Would You Go With Me' is nominated for both 'Song Of The Year' as well as 'Single Record Of The Year.' While his current single, a collaboration with Dr. Ralph Stanley and members of Diamond Rio, 'Me And God,' is nominated for ACM 'Vocal Event Of The Year.' The two-time Grammy nominee was also the No 2 best-selling country male artist of 2006.
With this partnership, Cracker Barrel continues to build its impressive collection of exclusive CDs. The most recent release, Songs Of The Year, features new recordings by today's top country performers including Trace Adkins, Trisha Yearwood, Dierks Bentley & George Jones. Cracker Barrel has also released exclusive CDs by Alison Krauss & Union Station, Charlie Daniels, Amy Grant and Sara Evans.
Tickets for Josh Turner's Ryman concert are currently on sale at www.ryman.com and all Ticketmaster locations. Tickets are available for $29.50 and $24.50.
