New Kenny Rogers music available through Cracker Barrell

Kenny Rogers Headed to Cracker Barrel with New Musical Offerings
Exclusive CD “The Love of God” a truly inspired blend of memorable classics
and new recordings

LEBANON, Tenn. – (February 15, 2011) – Music legend Kenny Rogers will become the first artist to release a second album through the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® exclusive music program when “The Love of God” becomes available on March 7, 2011.   The CD is an inspirational collection of classic songs that Rogers remembers from his childhood along with new recordings of contemporary songs.  Two of the classics feature other artists: The Whites and Winfield’s Locket.  Point of Grace is featured on one of the album’s contemporary recordings.  This touching CD, certain to spark old memories and create new ones, will be available exclusively at all Cracker Barrel locations.

Through the course of his career, Rogers has attracted fans with an incredible range of music from country to pop.  “‘The Love of God’ is the culmination of an idea I had been thinking about for years but never had the opportunity to bring to life,” said Rogers.  “It’s been a musical awakening to me. To all of the wonderful musicians, vocalists, and songwriters who lent their amazing talents to this record, I want to thank you for making it so special.  It seems I have a personal relationship with every song on it. For example, ‘In The Sweet By And By’ was my mom’s favorite song.  When I was a kid, as I was leaving to go to school, I remember hearing her sing along with the radio.  Music is by far the best ‘memory creator’ I know, and that memory is very special to me.”

“We’re delighted to work with Kenny Rogers for a second time,” said Chris Ciavarra, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Cracker Barrel.  “It is particularly gratifying to be a part of a project about which Kenny cares so deeply and that will touch so many of our guests.”

Kenny Rogers’“The Love of God” will be 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 last year. It debuted at #19 on Billboard magazine’s R&B chart and has been nominated for an NAACP IMAGE AWARD. September saw the release of the self-titled “Rodney Atkins,”which includes four #1 hits, and also the release of Mandy Barnett’s “Winter Wonderland,” which offers 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 award. Releases in 2009 included November’s “Songs of Love and Heartache” by Alan Jackson, September’s release of an exclusive new version of “The Foundation”by the Zac Brown Band, August’s George Jones’ release of “A Collection Of My Best Recollection,” May’s release of Montgomery Gentry’s “For Our Heroes,” which debuted at #5 on Billboard Magazine’s Top Country Albums chart, and March’s release of Dolly Parton’s “Collector’s Edition of Backwoods Barbie,” which debuted at #9 on that chart. Over the last few years, Cracker Barrel has released exclusive CDs with 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:

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, Billy Currington, Darius Rucker, Wynonna, Chris Isaak, The Oak Ridge Boys, Sheena Easton, original members of the First Edition and others.