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Exclusive Music
Take a step backstage at the Songs Of The Year concert!
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Merle Haggard
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Enjoy these photos and learn more from the
artists about why they wanted to participate
in this special event.
Songs Of The Year Concert
Special Concert Guests
Honoring the Songs
Creating the Songs Of The Year Concept
Honoring the Legends of Country Music
Vince Gill's Contribution
Supporting the Country Music Hall Of Fame
All photos courtesy of AdMedia
The Songs Of The Year concert…
"We were backstage and saw Ronnie Milsap, Hank Williams Jr., Lorrie Morgan and Heart. This concert is as big as an awards show. It’s something we can all reflect on because we’re paying tribute to these great songs."
-Richie McDonald; Lonestar
"It’s going to be interesting to see these traditional country songs performed by people like Trisha Yearwood & Deana Carter with Heart. It’s an interesting combination, almost like a jam session, of different artists singing these songs that we all know so well. It’s really important to preserve our country music heritage, because if you don’t, it will just go away."
-Jamie Denton; Host of the GAC’s Cracker Barrel Old Country Store presents Songs Of The Year concert
"What’s so incredible is seeing musicians like Heart and Michael McDonald embracing country music. That just tells you right there the impact that country music has. That’s what this concert is all about: great songs and great acts putting their best foot forward, and putting their own spin on some great songs."
Dean Sams; Lonestar
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Special guests at the Songs Of The Year concert…
"I’m very fortunate to be singing Lucille, one of my favorite country songs of all time. Lucille was on a cassette tape that I got when I was a kid. My very first… Kenny Rogers 20 Greatest Hits. I’m a big Kenny Rogers fan. I’ve probably got 30 albums that he’s made. My very first concert was Kenny Rogers in Alabama."
-Billy Currington
"I think this will be a really special night. Singing a song like He Stopped Loving Her Today can be nerve-wracking. It’s been called the greatest country song of all time. You really have to put yourself in the place of the character in the song. I learned that from so many great country artists like George Jones, Randy Travis, Johnny Cash, John Anderson & Hank Williams, Jr."
-Josh Turner
"I remember the first time I heard Garth Brooks sing The Dance. It became one of my instant favorites. It’s just good to be around country music. This is the night to hear so many great songs. I was standing in the hallway talking with Trace Atkins and then Hank came rolling through and I talked to him. It was just surreal."
-Josh Gracin
"I’m singing On The Other Hand by Randy Travis. That’s such a well-written song. I’m excited about this night, too. You got Ronnie Milsap, Merle and Hank all here. These are the guys I grew up listening to. They’re legends. Blake Shelton, Trace Adkins and me all grew up playing these songs in clubs."
-Jason Aldean
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Honoring the songs…
"Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down paints this vivid picture and you can see the whole thing playing out in your mind. The beauty of songwriting is taking an ordinary event, an ordinary moment in time that we’ve all experienced, and making it poetic. That’s songwriting at its best."
-Trace Adkins
"Strawberry Wine is just one of those songs that everybody knows, and everybody loves. As a duo, we felt like we could do something cool harmony-wise. We felt we could make the song unique, and unique to us."
-Michelle Branch; The Wreckers
"I think the best songs are ones people really can relate to. When they hear it, it helps them or just sparks good memories."
-Jessica Harp; The Wreckers
"I’m honored to sing The Gambler for this album. The last thing I wanted to do was put my spin on it because it’s already the ultimate song. I didn’t want to change one thing about it, because if I changed one thing, that would probably be the thing that I wouldn’t be happy with."
-Blake Shelton
"I heard Jypsi singing Stranger in my House and I am really fired up by their version. I thought their interpretation was great and they did it in a key that was just right for them. The fact that they did one of my songs is just tremendous."
-Ronnie Milsap
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Honoring the legends of country music…
"It’s so important to preserve the heritage of country music. This music is an American art form. It’s the only format left that tells the story of who we are, and what we’re doing. 50 years ago or 50 years from now, the music will be about our country and I think that’s important to preserve."
-Jack Ingram
"Country music is part of American history. Where would America be without Hank Williams or an Elvis Presley or a Frank Sinatra? Blues, rock… we’ve got to remember all of our musical heroes. That’s why I am here… to honor mighty Merle (Haggard). He sent me a very strong statement after Merle Kilgore died. He said, Hank, you need another Merle in your life, and I’m him."
-Hank Williams, Jr.
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Creating the Songs Of The Year concept…
"Country music and Cracker Barrel are such a natural fit. The Songs Of The Year endeavor appealed to us because it’s really who we are. Cracker Barrel represents the fabric of America and these songs represent what country music is all about."
-Diana Wynne; Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.
"We wanted to find artists that really wanted to record these great songs. They all found songs that were close to their hearts, and songs they always wanted to sing."
-Ken Levitan; Vector Management, Inc.
"Ken had this idea to match new artists with classic country songs. As we talked about the possibilities, the project just took on a life of its own. We called the managers and artists and asked if they would be interested. It was funny to see how some people were gravitating toward different songs. We ended up with a great roster of artists who picked some really unique songs."
-Chris Ferren; Songs Of The Year producer
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Honoring Vince Gill, the Songwriter…
"Go Rest High On That Mountain reminds us that we need to make what we’re doing matter and be grateful for our blessings. I can relate to this song so much because we have all lost someone that we love dearly"
-Deana Carter
"Go Rest High on the Mountain is a beautiful song that comes from a very authentic, heartfelt place. The song has so much passion and love. It’s just the type of thing that I really fall for too, so we went straight for it."
-Ann Wilson; Heart
"The thing about When I Call Your Name is the legitimate emotion behind it, and no one portrays it like Vince Gill. It’s nothing but magic every time he opens his mouth and plays his guitar. He’s such a great talent and I’m so lucky that I have a chance to know him and sing one of his tunes."
-Jo Dee Messina
"The song, I Still Believe In You, has that classic, intelligent simplicity. From a musical standpoint, the way the chord progression unfolds is beautiful. One of the things that always made a great country tune is how the composer would just hang onto those chords, to match the bar, just to build that impact of what was going to come next."
-Michael McDonald; pictured with Ronnie Milsap
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Supporting the Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum…
"I have lots of reasons to love the Hall of Fame. I’m a board member, which is actually kinda odd, because I worked at the Hall of Fame as a tour guide, back 20 years ago, when I was in college in Nashville, so I got to see the old building, and I would wander through the halls. I wasn’t a very good tour guide, because I spent more time looking at all the stuff than leading tours."
-Trisha Yearwood
"Country music is America’s music. It’s blue collar music represents the values of this country. By listening to country music, you can understand more about who you are, and what this country is all about. It’s an art form that’s specific to United States."
-Kyle Young; Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum
"We believe in the mission of the Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum. They are preserving the diverse heritage of country music and we are all about history and heritage at Cracker Barrel."
-Diana Wynne; Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.
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