MICHAEL W. SMITH’S HYMNS WINS 2014 DOVE AWARD FOR “INSPIRATIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR”

LEBANON, Tenn. (Oct. 13, 2014) – Michael W. Smith’s first traditional hymns album, appropriately titled Hymns, won the 2014 Dove Award for Inspirational Album of the Year on Oct. 7. The album is exclusively available at all Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® locations and online at crackerbarrel.com and features many of the songs that Smith sang in church when he was young. This is the first Dove Award for an album released through the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® exclusive music program.

“Everyone at Cracker Barrel® congratulates Michael and his team on winning the Dove Award for Hymns,” said Cracker Barrel Marketing Manager Julie Craig. “It is wonderful to receive such high recognition for a project that truly exemplifies both the talent and quality of albums that are part of our exclusive music program.”

Cracker Barrel recently announced that the company is sponsoring Smith’s upcoming “Spirit of Christmas Tour,” which kicks off Nov. 30 in Anaheim, Calif., and runs through Dec. 21 in Abbotsford, British Columbia.

Hymns was produced by Kyle Lee and Jim Daneker, with track no. 15 produced by Smith. The album’s executive producers are Greg Ham and Chaz Corzine. The songs on Hymns are as follows:

• “The Old Rugged Cross” (written by George Bennard)
• “My Jesus, I Love Thee” (written by William R. Featherston)
• “Were You There” (written by C. Winfred Douglas)
• “Victory in Jesus” (written by E.M. Bartlett)
• “How Great Thou Art” (written by Stuart K. Hine)
• “Just As I Am” (written by Charlotte Elliott)
• “Near the Cross” (written by Fanny Crosby)
• “It is Well” (written by Horatio Spafford)
• “Softly and Tenderly” (written by Will L. Thompson)
• “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” (written by Isaac Watts)
• “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” (written by Joseph M Scriven)
• “Wonderful, Merciful Savior” (written by Dawn Rodgers and Eric Wyse)
• “Great is Thy Faithfulness” (written by Thomas O.Chisholm and William M. Runyan)
• “God of Our Fathers” (written by Daniel C. Roberts)
• “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” (written by Peter C. Lutkin)

Smith is an acclaimed singer, songwriter, and musician who has sold more than 15 million albums, achieved 28 No. 1 songs, earned three GRAMMY Awards, one American Music Award and more than 40 Dove Awards. Throughout his career, the Contemporary Christian artist has had the opportunity to sing for Presidents and national leaders, and counts among his friends the Reverend Billy Graham and his son, Franklin Graham. He actively supports the teen club Rocketown, Compassion International, and Samaritan’s Purse, the ministry headed by Franklin Graham. Michael and his wife Debbie live in Middle Tennessee, where they raised their five children.  For more information, visit www.michaelwsmith.com.

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