TODAY IS THE DAY!

Everyone at NashvilleHype! is SO EXCITED as today is the day Laura Fedor finally gets her Cracker Barrel record release.  This has been years in the making as it’s never happened that a ‘non-celebrity’ artist (ie. Not George Jones, Aaron Tippin, Josh Turner, Alan Jackson, Craig Morgan, Wynonna, etc)  has been allowed to be a part of the Cracker Barrel family.  Laura Fedor has made history and it’s a history that’s going to last as next week all predictions indicate that she will also break into the Billboard Country Charts!  Simply amazing. And not only, Cracker Barrel isn’t going anywhere – which means no matter what happens with the overall music industry (the industry at large), Laura will always have a product readily available at more than 600 stores nationwide.  Just monumental when you think about it.

And besides, who doesn’t like Cracker Barrel?  I’ve never met anyone that can’t name their favorite Cracker Barrel foods right off the top of their head – everyone loves Cracker Barrel.  Heck, I bet just reading me talk about Cracker Barrel has your mouth watering for some of the best food this country has to offer.  So why not go on over, get you something great to eat, and pick up Laura’s new cd “Teddy Gentry’s Best New Nashville”?  There’s no reason.

And here’s something else you can do also – vote for Laura and give yourself a chance to win some cool prizes as a result.  Just visit this link http://www.bestnewnashville.com/vote … and choose Laura!

PLUS – Tonight at the Cadillac Ranch in Nashville – a FREE Show!!  Doors open at 6pm and it’s a CD release blowout!

And from everyone involved – thank you so much.  This really has been a team effort and that includes the readers here.  You keep coming back and giving us your support and encouragement and we’re forever grateful…. not only for ourselves, but for the artists we’ve been so blessed to work with and see succeed.

 

EARLIER:

NASHVILLEHYPE! NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 26, 2011) —  It takes a lot to hold a good woman down.  That was what Laura Fedor was thinking the last time she was in the national American spotlight.  Just days before, in front of an audience of over 5 million people, came the performance on NBC’s “Nashville Star” TV show that would forever change the trajectory of her career and ultimately lead to her packing her bags and heading back home to Willoughby, Ohio.

Fortunately, when Laura arrived back in Willoughby, she still had her job as a hostess at the local Cracker Barrel Old Country Store^®waiting on her.  And, in true Cracker Barrel Old Country Store^® fashion, the staff and her friends welcomed her with open arms.  They also encouraged her to continue doing what she loved most – singing and entertaining.  And that’s exactly what she did.

Now, just a few short years later, as part of Teddy Gentry’s Best New Nashville CD which will be released on May 16th to all 601Cracker Barrel locations, Laura has the support of the entire Cracker Barrel organization.

Laura says, “It really is a tremendous honor to be representing Cracker Barrel in this way.  Having worked for them as a hostess and server, and transitioning into working with them on this project, I can personally attest to their dedication to the morals and values they set forth in the public.  From Mr. Woodhouse (the Chairman, President and CEO) on down, the entire Cracker Barrel organization really does strive to live up to their motto of Pleasing People®.

Previously Cracker Barrel has released new music from a diverse roster of famous artist such as George Jones, Aaron Tippin, Josh Turner, Alan Jackson, Craig Morgan, Wynonna, and most recently, a second installment from Kenny Rogers.  However, this is the first time they’ve ever released a collection from up and coming artist like the 11 others who accompany Laura on this collection. Laura states, “Teddy (Gentry) really has a great ear for talent.  There is a reason he’s been one of the most influential music producers for the last decade and I think you hear the reason with this collection.”

Laura’s contribution to this CD is a song appropriately entitled ”A Better Woman“.

As to finishing in sixth place out of the twelve contestants on Nashville Star, Laura says, “I would have loved to have won Nashville Star, but I was proud to finish as high as I did.  Going through that experience made me a better woman and from the first time I heard this song, I knew it was the perfect song for me to sing.  With the support of my family, friends, the entire Cracker Barrel Old Country Store organization, and the public who have been so amazingly good to me with their own support and encouragement, I am definitely looking forwards and not backwards.”For more information: http://bestnewnashville.com/artists/laura-fedor

About Laura Fedor
Laura Fedor uses her background in bluegrass and country music to bring the sweet, traditional melodies to contemporary country music. A native of Willoughby, Ohio, Laura first showed signs of her musical talent at the age of 3, when she began to uncannily pick up harmonies and melodies with incredible timing and pitch. From her early performances at bluegrass festivals in Ohio, Laura has blossomed into a versatile and poised performer.In her adolescence, Laura spent eight years singing in the internationally renowned youth chorus, the Cleveland Singing Angels. The group toured globally, performing for Pope Benedict, President George W. Bush and countless others. More recently, Laura competed on the sixth season of NBC’s hit show, “Nashville Star,” finishing in sixth place out of twelve contestants. Following the momentum of that competition, Laura teamed up with Jamie O’Neal and Rodney Good to develop an EP of original country songs.  Please visit http://laurafedor.com

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 made from scratch 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 601 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.

About Best New Nashville
An industry executive, Bernard Porter, and an industry legend, Teddy Gentry, had a vision that started with mentoring up and coming talent from all ages and genres. The two joined forces and created Best New Nashville, a division of Porter-Gentry Productions, LLC. (PG Productions, LLC).
~~~~ ~~~~

PREVIOUSLY

Well, I can FINALLY tell you what I’ve been alluding to for well over a year — Laura Fedor is releasing a single song project on Cracker Barrel records.

We originally approached Cracker Barrel all the way back in 2008 about having Laura be an artist for them.  The truth is, after Laura came to National attention on a certain NBC TV show, there wasn’t many places we felt we could take her in town that she wouldn’t be turned down on the spot.  No label around here was going to take a shot (though they would have been smart to) – so the search began for a label that would.

Before the show Laura worked at Cracker Barrel.  And after the show she left Nashville and went back to Ohio to work at Cracker Barrel.  Adding to the fact Laura had a squeaky clean, home grown image and Cracker Barrel seemed like a perfect fit – and we knew Laura would make the perfect Spokesperson for the brand.   So in the fall of 2008, we approached them with the idea of having Laura as their first ever “Cracker Barrel Home Grown Artist”.  We didn’t know at the time that Teddy Gentry was already working on a project called “Teddy Gentry’s Best New Nashville” as a way to showcase artist he had discovered and had produced in conjunction with his company Porter/Gentry.

After several meetings discussing the possibilities it was decided Laura would fold into this compilation and Teddy Gentry would produce a song her as well and, like we had hoped, the record would be released to Cracker Barrel’s 544 (now 601) stores in 42 states representing hundreds of millions of customers.

Let me summarize that just in case it wasn’t clear because it’s a really important point.  After the TV show, no record label in town would take a chance on a terrific artist with an absolutely stellar voice – who had worked 3 times harder than most to get where she had been and deserved the “Carrie Underwood” treatment of having the complete and unwaivering support of a big label system behind her.   They wouldn’t at the time so we had to think outside the box and find a way to get Laura back in the spotlight and once again prove to the world how amazing she really is – so soon she will be a part of a record released in 601 outlets in 42 states and literally be seen and heard by hundreds of millions of customers.

It’s been a long, long road – but the time has finally come and “Teddy Gentry’s Best New Nashville” will be released on May 16th, 2011.

Smart record labels in town will immediately see the potential Laura still has (she’s barely in her 20′s, still looks fantastic, and still has an absolutely fabulous voice!) and will hopefully, this time, make the right decision and not pass up a great opportunity when it comes their way.  Lightening rarely strikes twice and with Laura, they have lightening in a bottle.

As for me, I’m just proud that we were able to do the all but “impossible” with someone who, according to many, didn’t have a shot or a prayer after the TV show.  But besides the winner of the show, to my knowledge, not one single artist from that TV show has had a real, actual, honest to goodness, true label release.  Not one.  (and I personally know, like, and behind the scenes here in town used to champion one former contestant, and I know and like several more from the show).

With this Cracker Barrel release, Laura Fedor – the artist who many at the time sought to destroy, deny, and drive away – the one many said didn’t have a chance and should just give up — Laura Fedor WINS.  And I LOVE IT !!!!

REDEMPTION is bitter sweet.

You know who else is going to love it?  YOU WILL.  Because on her song “A Better Woman” Laura literally knocks it out of the park.  It’s the perfect summertime, radio, fun loving song and it could be a massive hit (remind me to tell you a little of my past history with this song sometime – it’s interesting to say the least).  Not saying it’s going to be, not saying it will – but it’s the type of song that radio likes to play and Teddy did a really good job producing it.

I want to say a special thanks to some people who were instrumental in helping this happen:

Peter Kaiser first and foremost – for not laughing Laura out of the Cracker Barrel office on first approach.  For being so positive and for seeing the bigger picture and how an artist like Laura could be an asset to the company and not a liability – that’s what makes a great Marketer.  Thank you for listening and being willing to consider the possibilities.

Julie Davis – ditto!! (and for at times I think, encouraging Peter).

Aaron Tippin for telling me to call Kirt Webster.

Kirt Webster for being so kind and gracious.  And for doing what you do – you’re the man.

Liz Diekman at the Buntin Group for steering us to Peter.

Teddy Gentry for being so cool to work with and doing such a good job producing.

Preshias for taking care and handling the business and for being a friend for more years than I can remember.  Seems like I’ve known you always.

And last – Laura’s mom and dad – Gabe and Sandi – who were so skeptical of me the first time we talked I thought I was having a rectal exam, but who are now, my most cherished and favorite of friends.

Today is a very proud day at NashvilleHype!

Press Release Below

 

LEBANON, Tenn.  (April 18, 2011) Teddy Gentry has long been celebrated as a member of the country supergroup Alabama, and he is also the force and inspiration behind multiple other music successes in Nashville. Now, Gentry, and Porter-Gentry Productions, are lending a guiding hand to a very special CD that provides country music fans with an inspired assortment of new music, among which many a new favorite might be found. The CD,Teddy Gentry’s Best New Nashville, produced by Gentry, includes 12 new songs performed by 12 new artists and will be available exclusively at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®, starting May 16.

Each pairing of song and artist on this CD was carefully considered and planned by Gentry, who collects songs the way some people collect stamps. Gentry regularly works with up-and-coming artists on stage and in the studio, and his advice in choosing a new song is to always make sure that there is an emotional connection. “I tell them that they really have to love a song because, if it’s a hit, they’ll be performing it for a very long time,” said Gentry, who knows a lot about hits, having written and performed quite a number of them as a member of the renowned group Alabama.

Gentry also knows about talent, and he regularly works with what he considers to be the best of the new artists to help them learn the ins and outs of the Nashville scene. He says this is his way of giving back because he knows from his own early experiences how hard it is to make it in this very tough business. And Gentry believes that making his new CD, Teddy Gentry’s Best New Nashville, available through Cracker Barrel, provides some fresh new sounds and some quality tunes for Cracker Barrel’s guests. He worked with some of Nashville’s top engineers, studios, and songwriters to ensure the quality of the CD.

“Cracker Barrel is pleased to work with Teddy Gentry on this special project to provide a showcase for some very talented artists from whom we might well be hearing more in the future,” said Chris Ciavarra, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Cracker Barrel. “These are artists who have worked hard and have honed their skills, and with this CD they are stepping up onto a larger stage,” he added.

Photos, bios, and other detailed information about the 12 new artists and this CD are available at bestnewnashville.com.

Teddy Gentry’s Best New Nashville will be the latest in Cracker Barrel’s exclusive music program. In March of this year, Cracker Barrel released Kenny Rogers’ The Love of God which debuted at #8 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and #2 on the Top Christian Albums chart. In January 2011, 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 debuted at #19 on Billboard magazine’s R&B chart and was 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’sWinter Wonderland, which offers up all the authentic sounds of holiday traditions. In July, the company released Craig Morgan’s That’s Why-Collector’s Edition, and in May the release of Wynonna’s Love Healsdebuted 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. One of its songs was nominated for a Grammy award®. Over the last few years, Cracker Barrel has released exclusive CDs with Alan Jackson, the Zac Brown Band, George Jones, Montgomery Gentry, Dolly Parton, Bill Gaither, Ricky Skaggs, Aaron Tippin, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Josh Turner, Amy Grant, Kenny Rogers, Sara Evans, and Charlie Daniels.

Tracks on Teddy Gentry’s Best New Nashville:
1.     Every Mile I’m Missing You – Jimmy Stewart
2.     I’m Gonna Cry – Chanel Campbell
3.     That’s The Kind Of Love I Need – Garrett Steele
4.     A Good Place To Turn Around – 3 Lanes Crossing
5.     A Better Woman – Laura Fedor
6.     In His Hands – Chip Davis
7.     I’ll Find You – Samantha Landrum
8.     Chip Away – Dillon Dixon
9.     My So Called Life – Southwind
10.  Long Lost Smile – Brad Long
11.  Run Baby Run – Adrianna Freeman
12.  Are You Ever Gonna Love Me – Amber Shalene
******************

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 made from scratch 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 601 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.

About Best New Nashville
An industry executive, Bernard Porter, and an industry legend, Teddy Gentry, had a vision that started with mentoring up and coming talent from all ages and genres. The two joined forces and created Best New Nashville, a division of Porter-Gentry Productions, LLC. (PG Productions, LLC).

###

And if you’ve read this far … I’ll mention one more thing that’s pretty cool about this — Laura’s release is the first major release this year — next up will be Rachel Farley on Average Joe’s (produced by Michael Knox), and Crisp & Davis on Sony (produced by Joe Scaife)!  So NashvilleHype! artist are looking at having a banner year.

Tags: Cracker Barrel, Laura Fedor, Teddy Gentry