GAC and Cracker Barrel have teamed up to bring country fans a one-of-a-kind concert spectacular. Taped live at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, the Songs of the Year concert is hosted by Trace Adkins and features many of the artists on the Songs Of The Year CD.

This Month On GAC

Mark your calender for December 23 for the GAC exclusive presentation of the Songs Of The Year concert special at 8 p.m. ET.

On sale now at 547 Cracker Barrel locations and online at crackerbarrel.com, the exclusive Songs Of The Year CD features today's top country artists performing songs that earned "Song of the Year" recognition from the Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music or Grammy awards.

ABOUT THE SONGS OF THE YEAR AND QUOTES FROM THE PERFORMERS

"Sunday Morning Comin' Down"
Trace Adkins
CMA Song of the Year 1970
Written by: Kris Kristofferson
Originally performed by: Kris Kristofferson

"I love that song because I know that it's real. Kris probably really did wake up one Sunday morning with a hangover, took a walk and wrote about what he saw and felt. You can't get more honest and real than that. It's a classic song. And what more can you say about Kris -- he's a legend, man!" – Trace Adkins

"Back Home Again"
Trisha Yearwood
CMA Song of the Year 1975
Written by: John Denver
Originally performed by: John Denver

"Back Home Again" just seemed like a natural song for me to sing. I loved John Denver's version, and it was fun to try to make it my own." – Trisha Yearwood

"The Gambler"
Blake Shelton
Grammy® for Best Country Song 1978
CMA Song of the Year 1979
Written by: Don Schlitz
Originally performed by: Kenny Rogers

"Growing up I can't remember a song to me that was bigger than 'The Gambler.' So naturally when I was asked to be a part of this album I jumped at the opportunity to perform this song. It was very important to me to record it exactly the way that Kenny Rogers did it. You don't mess with perfection." – Blake Shelton

"Strawberry Wine"
The Wreckers: Michelle Branch & Jessica Harp
CMA Song of the Year 1997
Written by: Matraca Berg & Gary Harrison
Originally performed by: Deana Carter

"We've always loved the song. The lyrics are classic and ring true to growing up and falling in love when you're young. We were excited to add some two part harmony and see what happened. After the cut, we started playing it live - the crowd sings it as loud as we do!" – The Wreckers

"Murder On Music Row"
George Jones and Dierks Bentley
CMA Song of the Year 2001
Written by: Larry Cordle & Larry Shell
Originally performed by: Alan Jackson & George Strait

"Dierks is one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. He's got a lot of talent and he's a great example of what is going on right now in country music. I had a lot of fun doing this record with him and we've become good friends. He always calls and stays in touch and I'm proud to call him my friend." – George Jones

"I remember reading about Brad Paisley hanging out with George Jones over at George and Nancy's house...a pang of jealousy shot up my spine. All I could hope was that my career would move fast enough and that George would be around long enough for me to have that opportunity. Well, I am happy to report that both happened....George alive and singing as well if not better than he ever has — and I've not only hung out with him, we are now good friends! The best thing yet in my career." – Dierks Bentley

"When I Call Your Name"
Jo Dee Messina
CMA Song of the Year 1991
Written by: Vince Gill & Tim DuBois
Originally performed by: Vince Gill

"I absolutely love this song. It's one of my favorite country songs of all times and recording it was such an awesome experience." - Jo Dee Messina

"City of New Orleans"
Lonestar
Grammy® for Best Country Song 1984
Written by: Steve Goodman
Originally performed by: Steve Goodman

"We were honored to be a part of the Cracker Barrel Songs of the Year recordings. It was pretty overwhelming when we received the list to choose from because there were so many amazing songs. As I read the list, I knew that it was going to be a difficult choice. There were songs like Ronnie Milsap's " Stranger In My House" to the Gatlin Brothers "All The Gold." Those were just two of the many that caught my eye. As I read on, there was one song that stopped me in my tracks; it was "City Of New Orleans." It brought back a lot of early childhood memories. It was one of the first songs that I remember learning how to play at an early age. I don't think anyone could ever top Arlo Guthrie's version, but I thought it would be cool for a band to throw its spin on it. It just makes me want to hop a train and ride off into the dark dark night." - Lonestar

"Chiseled In Stone"
Randy Travis
CMA Song of the Year 1989
Written by: Max D. Barnes & Vern Gosdin
Originally performed by: Vern Gosdin

Randy Travis on Cracker Barrel: "I've gone in so many times over the course of so many years. I've had just about everything on the menu. The thing that strikes me about the Cracker Barrel is that it is great southern cooking, and the consistency is always wonderful, and that's hard to beat!"

"Stranger In My House"
Jypsi
Grammy® for Best Country Song 1983
Written by: Michael Barry Reid
Originally performed by: Ronnie Milsap

"We first saw Ronnie Milsap perform in 1994 and ever since, he's been one of our favorites. His music and especially the song "Stranger In My House" have had a huge impact on us. We love performing this song and are honored to have been able to record it for this project." - Jypsi

"I Still Believe In You"
Jamie O'Neal and Michael McDonald
Grammy® for Best Country Song 1992
ACM® Song of the Year 1992
CMATM Song of the Year 1993
Written by: Vince Gill & John Jarvis
Originally performed by: Vince Gill

"It is an honor for me to sing anything written by Vince Gill and when you add the amazing Michael McDonald as the other voice on the song, I get chills." - Jamie O'Neal

"Dang Me" - Willie Nelson & Jack Ingram
Grammy® for Best Country Song 1964
Written by: Roger Miller
Originally performed by: Roger Miller

"Just being in the same room with Willie Nelson is an honor for me. To have the opportunity to record one of the great American songs with one of the greatest American icons is a true highlight for me." - Jack Ingram

"Go Rest High On That Mountain"
Deana Carter and Heart
Grammy® for Best Country Song 1995
CMA Song of the Year 1996
Written by: Vince Gill
Originally performed by: Vince Gill

"I'm so honored to be on this recording with Ann & Nancy Wilson. They are iconic and I've truly been one of their biggest fans since I was a kid. And what a perfect song to sing with them, since I adore Vince Gill and have been very proud for his commitment to his own musical vision. When we were recording at Nancy's house, and even though I'm friends with those girls now, I had to keep 'pinching' myself and marvel at how blessed my life is! It was a very PROUD moment for me." - Deana Carter.

"We have always been Vince Gill fans, and when the chance to sing one of his amazing songs came along, we called our friend Deana Carter to help us out. The idea for this version was to take it to a gospel/acoustic/rock place and really strip it down to the bare bones. This song is built so well it could be done in any style in any era and still feel timeless." – Nancy Wilson

SONGS OF THE YEAR CD AND CONCERT

The following artists are featured on the CD and will perform at the Songs Of The Year concert.

1. Dang Me - Willie Nelson & Jack Ingram
2. Strawberry Wine - The Wreckers
3. Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down - Trace Adkins
4. Back Home Again - Trisha Yearwood
5. Murder On Music Row - Dierks Bentley & George Jones
6. When I Call Your Name - Jo Dee Messina
7. City Of New Orleans - Lonestar
8. Chiseled In Stone - Randy Travis
9. Stranger In My House - Jypsi
10. I Still Believe In You - Jamie O'Neal & Michael McDonald
11. The Gambler - Blake Shelton
12. Go Rest High On That Mountain - Deana Carter & Heart