Lebanon, TN (Top40 Charts / Cracker Barrel) Kenny Rogers' historic music career celebrates a few more firsts when his new The Love of God CD debuts exclusively at all Cracker Barrel Old Country Store(R) locations today. The CD is his first authentic Gospel album featuring twelve new recordings of songs that have touched him musically and spiritually through the years. And it's the first time an artist has released a second album through the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store(R) exclusive music program.
A long list of artists lent their talents to this record. "The trick to doing a good concept record is surrounding yourself with unique musicians, singers, and creative talent," said Rogers. "When you hear 'I'll Fly Away,' there is no question that The Whites are singing. Anything they sing takes on their own special sound, and it feels perfect for this record." Point of Grace, the trio credited with twenty-seven #1 hits on the Contemporary Christian Radio Charts, joined Rogers on his version of their song "Circle of Friends." And if you listen closely to the background voices on "In The Sweet By And By" you'll hear the unique harmonies of country duo Winfield's Locket.
"Kenny Rogers has placed his unique stamp on this album with songs that are his personal favorites," said Chris Ciavarra, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Cracker Barrel. "With Kenny's voice and the wonderful arrangements on this inspirational collection, we hope our guests will be touched by both the sounds and the images they evoke."
Kenny Rogers' The Love of God is the latest in Cracker Barrel's exclusive music program, which features numerous projects. In January of this year, Cracker Barrel released The Grascals & Friends - Country Classics With A Bluegrass Spin which debuted at #1 on Billboard magazine's Bluegrass Albums chart and at #26 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart. In November of 2010, Cracker Barrel released Smokey Robinson's Now & Then which featured six of his current songs and live versions of six of his classics that were recorded that year. It debuted at #19 on Billboard magazine's R&B chart and was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. September saw the release of the self-titled Rodney Atkins, which included four #1 hits, and also the release of Mandy Barnett's Winter Wonderland, which offered up all the authentic sounds of the holiday traditions so many of us cherish. In July, the company released Craig Morgan's That's Why-Collector's Edition, and in May the release of Wynonna's Love Heals debuted at #7 on the Billboard Magazine Top Country Albums chart. February's release of Dailey & Vincent Sing the Statler Brothers debuted at #1 on Billboard's Top Bluegrass Albums chart, where it spent nine weeks in the top position and 18 weeks overall in one of the three top positions since its release on February 1. One of the songs on this CD was nominated for a Grammy(R) award. Over the last few years, Cracker Barrel has released exclusive CDs with Alan Jackson, Zac Brown Band, George Jones, Montgomery Gentry, Dolly Parton, Bill Gaither, Ricky Skaggs, Aaron Tippin, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Josh Turner, Amy Grant, Kenny Rogers, Sara Evans, and Charlie Daniels.
Tracks on The Love of God CD:
1. Will The Circle Be Unbroken
2. Peace
3. I'll Fly Away (featuring The Whites)
4. The Rock Of Your Love
5. In The Sweet By and By (featuring Winfield's Locket)
6. He Showed Me Love
7. Grace
8. What A Friend We Have In Jesus
9. Circle of Friends (featuring Point of Grace)
10. For The Love of God
11. Amazing Grace
12. Leaning On The Everlasting Arms
Rogers will also celebrate an incomparable career of pop and country hits in Kenny Rogers: The First 50 Years, a special premiering Tuesday, March 8, 8:30 p.m./Eastern on Great American Country (GAC). This multi-artist spectacular features performances from stars that Rogers has both befriended and inspired including Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, Alison Krauss, Tim McGraw, Smokey Robinson, Darius Rucker, Billy Currington, Chris Isaak and many others.
