Cracker Barrel Shares Behind-the-Scenes Insights

LEBANON, Tenn., Sept. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Cracker Barrel Old Country Store ® -- There's more to planning the packaging of a new CD than you might imagine, and that's why the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) gives an award for "Best Graphic Design for a Recorded Project" each year. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is pleased and proud to be one of three nominees for this year's packaging award. Cracker Barrel was nominated for its exclusive offering, Dailey & Vincent Sing The Statler Brothers, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard magazine Top Bluegrass Chart in February 2010, and then spent nine weeks in the top position. The CD itself is nominated for "Album of the Year," and artists Dailey & Vincent, the reigning International Bluegrass Music Association two-time Entertainers of the Year, are also the lead 2010 IBMA award nominees, receiving ten nominations, including Entertainer of the Year and Vocal Group of the Year. 

"When we first started planning the design of this album cover, we were not thinking about awards," said Cracker Barrel Marketing Manager Julie Craig, who managed all aspects of the packaging. "We wanted to focus on what the design elements were that would make people see how special this CD is," she added, pointing out that since the CD would be available only at Cracker Barrel locations, it had to fit in with the look and feel of an old country store while also complementing the authentic sounds of artists Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent. "I worked closely with the talented team at The Buntin Group to make sure that the art design would be as authentic, genuine and real as the music on the disc is," said Craig.

That attention to detail is what made the difference, according to Buntin Group Creative Director Tom Cocke, who said, "The challenge for any designer in Nashville is to come up with something original. Lots of CDs are designed in Nashville, so part of the process is to make sure it doesn't look like a cover that's been done before." Cocke says this project shows that good design supports the overall integrity of the artist and music.  

Graphic Designer Devan Todd said that he wanted to keep the album art simple without too many flourishes or embellishments. "I've always liked the LPs from the 50s and the 60s and wanted to go with some monochromatic and muted colors because I thought that would work well with the style of the music and for Cracker Barrel," said Todd.

And, of course, the design has to communicate, according to Account Supervisor Becky Hensley. "With this project, we knew we had to quickly appeal to anyone looking at the packaging and its relationship with Cracker Barrel and with authentic bluegrass music. Cracker Barrel is known for its good country cookin', of course, but its exclusive music program is becoming more and more popular, in part because all the details point to authenticity," she said.

"We don't know whether we will win Best Graphic Design," said Cracker Barrel's Julie Craig, "but you know what? It may be a cliche, but it really is an honor to be nominated. Our team is thrilled!"

The International Bluegrass Music Association awards are September 30, 2010.  Best of luck to artists Dailey & Vincent with their ten nominations!

About Cracker Barrel 

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store provides a friendly home-away-from-home in its old country stores and restaurants.  Guests are cared for like family while relaxing and enjoying real home-style food and shopping that's surprisingly unique, genuinely fun and reminiscent of America's country heritage…all at a fair price. The restaurant serves up delicious, home-style country food such as meatloaf and homemade chicken n' dumplins as well as its signature biscuits using an old family recipe. The authentic old country retail store is fun to shop and offers unique gifts and self-indulgences.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBRL) was established in 1969 in Lebanon, Tenn. and operates 595 company-owned locations in 41 states.  Every Cracker Barrel unit is open seven days a week with hours Sunday through Thursday, 6 a.m. – 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 6 a.m. - 11 p.m.  For more information, visit: crackerbarrel.com.

SOURCE Cracker Barrel