Nashville, TN. (Top40 Charts/ Cracker Barrel) - Last November, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store and the legendary country music group
Alabama came together to release the band's final album.
Alabama, the band with 42 No 1 Hits brought their live album entitled, Alabama: The Last Stand exclusively to Cracker Barrel because it seemed like a perfect fit. 'The folks that eat at Cracker Barrel are the same folks that have attended our shows and listened to our music since we started,' says electric guitar and fiddle player, Jeff Cook. 'We couldn't think of a better place to sale our last record!'
Since releasing the album on November 13th, the guys and Cracker Barrel have received nothing but praise from reviewers.
About.com says of the album, 'You can hear some of Alabama's biggest hits performed live with an often unique delivery that won't be found on other albums.'
Of the album, Country Weekly's Chris Neal writes, '…they're [the band] goosed along throughout by the enthusiasm of an audience that's audibly savoring its last chance to hear this - and to express its adoration for the guys who sang them.'
Alabama's bass player Teddy Gentry believes lots of the album's success comes from the energetic live audiences that allowed them all to play their hearts out for this final project. 'All of those people that you hear yelling and screaming at the top of their lungs on this album…they're the ones that got us pumped to the roof so that we could play like no one else!' said Teddy.
The Nashville Muse's Doak Turner wrote, 'There was nothing like seeing Alabama in concert - you knew you would get your money's worth with those awesome harmonies, the showmanship and excitement of the crowd. Those memories and smiles will come right back to you when listening to this great collection of our favorite Alabama songs on, The Last Stand.'
Sticks and Stones Magazine gave 4.5 out of 5 boots and said of the album, 'Like timeless holiday songs you grew up with, you love it each time you hear it. With a captivating force that leaps off of the CD and grabs your attention, 'The Last Stand' truly makes you feel like you're on the front row at the concert with Alabama.'
The band's front man Randy Owen remembers enjoying recording the album. In a recent interview with Challenge Magazine Randy said, 'I remember seeing the lights on the crowd when we did 'Feels So Right.'' 'We started the song with a piano and the crowd went wild when we got to the melody.'
Three years ago, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store began releasing exclusive music in their stores. Cracker Barrel has sold more than 3 million records with big name artists in the country music industry including Alison Krauss and Union Station, Josh Turner, Charlie Daniels, Merle Haggard and Lonestar.
Alabama: The Last Stand is available exclusively in all Cracker Barrel Old Country Store locations and online at www.crackerbarrel.com.
