Exclusive Smokey Robinson CD Nominated for Prestigious Award

LEBANON, Tenn., Jan. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Cracker Barrel Old Country Store today congratulated R&B legend and American icon Smokey Robinson on his nomination for “Outstanding Album” in this year’s NAACP IMAGE AWARDS. The nomination is for his newest CD, Now and Then, which was released exclusively through Cracker Barrel Old Country Store in November, 2010.

“This recognition is well-deserved and it speaks to the quality and impact of Smokey’s work over the years as well as on this specific project,” said Cracker Barrel Senior Vice President of Marketing Chris Ciavarra.  He added, “By including some of his current songs as well as new, live recordings of some of his classic Motown hits, Smokey demonstrates the talent and expertise that have made him one of the most beloved and influential figures in the history of popular music. Cracker Barrel is very pleased to have provided this CD for our guests, many of whom have been Smokey’s fans for years.”

"I am absolutely elated that my CD Now and Then has been nominated for an NAACP IMAGE AWARD for Outstanding Album,” said Smokey Robinson. He added, “With this CD, I became the first R&B artist to partner with Cracker Barrel for their exclusive music program. The NAACP IMAGE AWARDS are so important for celebrating diversity in the arts and I am extremely proud to be recognized for this project." 

The winners of the NAACP IMAGE AWARDS will be announced during a two-hour event airing live Friday, March 4 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX Television. 

Now and Then features 12 songs. Six are live versions of Motown classics, including “Going to a Go-Go,” “I Second That Emotion,” “The Tracks of My Tears,” and “The Tears of a Clown,” recorded in 2010 during various performances. The other six are from Smokey’s 2009 CD, Time Flies When You’re Having Fun, including “Time Flies,” “Don’t Know Why,” and “Girlfriend.”  It is available exclusively at all Cracker Barrel locations.

Cracker Barrel’s exclusive music program features numerous projects. Earlier this month, Cracker Barrel released The Grascals & Friends – Country Classics With A Bluegrass Spin, in which the award-winning band teamed up with eight of their famous friends, including Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Charlie Daniels, Dolly Parton, Tom T. Hall, The Oak Ridge Boys, Joe Nichols, and Darryl Worley, to create the crossover album.  Smokey Robinson’s Now and Then was released in November of 2010 and debuted at #19 on Billboard magazine’s R&B chart. In September of 2010, Cracker Barrel released the self-titled Rodney Atkins, which includes four #1 hits, and also released 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 19 weeks overall in one of the three top positions since its release on February 1st.  It was named Album of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association and one of its songs has been nominated for a Grammy®. 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, Kenny Rogers, Ricky Skaggs, Aaron Tippin, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Josh Turner, Amy Grant, Sara Evans, and Charlie Daniels.

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 597 company-owned locations in 42 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