LEBANON, TN. (Cracker Barrel Music) - Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (Cracker Barrel) has announced it will partner with Sara Evans, the woman Billboard magazine calls "country's next female superstar." Cracker Barrel will be the exclusive retailer for a compilation CD from multi-platinum RCA recording artist Sara Evans, country music's most-played female artist of 2004. On sale in February 2006, this release will be sold exclusively at over 534 Cracker Barrel locations in 41 states and at crackerbarrel.com.
"Personally and professionally, this is a great fit for me. First of all, Cracker Barrel feels like I am going to eat at my granny's house," says Evans. "When we travel to Missouri, it's a family tradition to stop and eat at the same Cracker Barrel in Illinois. My kids have a blast in the store, especially with the candy. I like to think people have fun when they listen to my music and that's what Cracker Barrel is to me – an enjoyable place to share a great time with family and friends."
With her fifth release, Real Fine Place, due out in October, Evans has become one of country music's most popular performers. The title track, A Real Fine Place To Start, has already achieved number one status in both the Billboard and Radio Records Country Singles Charts. Evans' smash hit, Suds in the Bucket, was country radio's most played song in 2004. Earlier this year, People magazine placed her on its 50 Most Beautiful People list.
"The addition of Sara Evans to our music collection is outstanding," said Chris Tomasso, Vice President of Marketing at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. "Sara and her musical style connect with another generation of fans. Her music is fun and genuine which is something we believe our guests will enjoy."
The yet-to-be-titled CD will be released in February 2006. The exclusive Sara Evans CD will retail for $11.99 and include a previously unreleased live version of Born to Fly and a previously unreleased acoustic version of No Place That Far. The Evans release will follow the Charlie Daniels Band patriotic CD that will be available in October.
The Evans release strengthens Cracker Barrel's growing collection of exclusive CDs on its music label. The label is led by the Alison Krauss & Union Station Home On The Highways CD, which has sold more than 200,000 copies since its May release. Cracker Barrel has sold more than 1.2 million CDs since creating its exclusive music label in 2003. The label also features the Grand Ole Opry Live Classics series, the American Legends collection, the Heritage Music Collection, and the Now Playing CD, which includes nostalgic songs and jingles played inside all Cracker Barrel locations.
"Our guests trust us to provide quality and convenience. They trust the quality of the Cracker Barrel brand and that relationship is extended to the music in our retail store," says Tomasso. "In addition, from a consumer's perspective, we believe we're more convenient than traditional music retailers. People like to shop when they come to Cracker Barrel and CDs from well-established musicians catch their attention."
