Cracker Barrel and Steven Curtis Chapman Celebrate #1 Chart Debut

LEBANON, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Award-winning recording artist Steven Curtis Chapman’s new CD with Cracker Barrel Old Country Store^®, Deep Roots, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Bluegrass Albums Chart and #2 on the Contemporary Christian Chart. The CD, released on March 11, is available exclusively at all Cracker Barrel Old Country Store^® locations, iTunes, crackerbarrel.com and amazon.com.

“When Steven originally presented his idea of a collection of hymns mixed with original material involving multiple generations of the Chapman family, we thought it would be appealing to our guests”

Chapman had long dreamt of releasing a country/bluegrass-infused album that would allow him to revisit his Kentucky roots. He does just that on Deep Roots with all new recordings of several beloved hymns such as "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" featuring Ricky Skaggs and “Life is Like a Mountain Railroad (Life’s Railway to Heaven),” featuring Herb Chapman Sr. and Herb Chapman, Jr. New versions of some of his greatest hits including “His Eyes,” “Be Still and Know,” and “Cinderella,” are also featured.

GAC's Daryl Addison raves, "Though the songs on Deep Roots are filled with bright acoustic guitars, fluttering mandolin and some front porch dobro, Steven does an excellent job shaping his devotionals to the new sound." Country Weekly's David Guy adds, “'Be Still and Know' is much more contemporary here with some glorious harmonies and chord choices. Steven stands tall with his single-vocal performance of 'Rock of Ages.' 'He Touched Me,' made famous by Elvis Presley, is enhanced by the group vocals and the softness of the band."

"When Steven originally presented his idea of a collection of hymns mixed with original material involving multiple generations of the Chapman family, we thought it would be appealing to our guests," shares Cracker Barrel's Marketing Manager Julie Craig. "They have come to expect a variety of music in our stores and Deep Roots provides a unique, inspirational addition to our exclusive music program that guests of all ages have welcomed.”

Chapman echoes the sentiment, telling Billboard magazine's Chuck Dauphin, "I've been through so much in the last 25 years, and more recently in the last few years – from walking through the deep grief of losing my youngest daughter in an accident--and all of those things that have made those songs all the more important to me. To be able to include my dad and brother, and have them sing with me, my son, and daughter-in-law, and even my bluegrass 'big brother,' Ricky Skaggs make an appearance, this was a dream come true for me to get to record."

Chapman adds, “It’s an album I’ve dreamed about having the chance to record, and the planets – or should I say the biscuits – all aligned. I’m very grateful to Cracker Barrel for their outstanding partnership.”

In support of Deep Roots, Chapman joined his father, brother and son on stage at the historic Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Saturday, March 16 to entertain a packed house with select songs from the record. He also completed a national satellite media tour, was featured on AOL’s The Boot, AXS Live, Better TV, Salem Radio Networks and more. Fans can catch Chapman on GAC’s Positively GAC on March 24 and March 31 (Easter Sunday) at 7 a.m. ET, and Rural TV’s (FamilyNet) The Rural Evening News at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Deep Roots is available at all Cracker Barrel Old Country Store locations and online at crackerbarrel.com, Amazon.com and on iTunes.

About Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. 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 622 company-owned locations in 42 states. Every Cracker Barrel Old Country Store^® location 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 Steven Curtis Chapman

Steven Curtis Chapman has sold over ten million records including two RIAA certified platinum albums and eight RIAA certified gold albums. Along with his five GRAMMY^® awards and 16 nominations, Chapman has won an American Music Award, has recorded 47 No. 1 U.S. radio hits and been awarded 57 Dove Awards, more than any other artist to date. Since his recording career began in 1987, Chapman has recorded seventeen projects with Sparrow Records. He has performed at the White House and has appeared on multiple national programs via CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, MSNBC, CMT, FOX News, the Hallmark Channel and E!, including Good Morning America, Larry King Live, Fox & Friends, Huckabee, CBS Sunday Morning, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and more. Chapman and his wife Mary Beth created Show Hope in 2001 after bringing their first adopted daughter, Shaohannah, home from China. The ministry’s goal is to help families reduce the financial barrier of adoption, and has provided grants to more than 3,600 families wishing to adopt orphans from around the world. To find out more, please visit stevencurtischapman.com and ShowHope.org.

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