Jason Michael Carroll from his video, "Meet Me In The Barn."

After the kids are tucked in for the night, grab their trick-or-treat loot and settle in for an especially haunted edition of GAC’s Late Shift, hosted by Jason Michael Carroll. Jason, who admits Halloween is one of his favorite holidays, has chosen a lineup of some of the spookiest country videos, like Alan Jackson’s “Midnight To Montgomery” and Willie Nelson’s “Gravedigger.”

During Late Shift, Jason will show the video for his new single, “Meet Me in the Barn.” The video is an 11-minute mini movie dedicated to the entertainers who have inspired Jason’s career. The clip is reminiscent of Michael Jackson’s classic “Thriller” video, full of spooky scenes and people who aren’t quite what they seem. Jason, who turns into a vampire thanks to a pretty girl’s charms, even has a dance sequence in the new video.

GAC’s Top 10 Most Haunting Country Videos >>

This haunted edition of GAC’s Late Shift premieres at 11/10 CT. If you don’t want to wait to catch Jason’s new video, check it out in our  Halloween Gone Country section along with Halloween memories from some of your favorite country stars. And if you wanted until the last minute to carve your pumpkins, print out one of our pumpkin carving templates of stars including Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney and Carrie Underwood!

Get your FREE GAC country star carving templates >>

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Rascal Flatts is invited to join the Opry by member Vince Gill. Photo by Chris Hollo, courtesy of Schmidt Relations.

The Grand Ole Opry is celebrating their 86^th birthday the whole month of October  and this weekend will mark the Opry’s official Birthday Bash. If you can’t make it to Nashville, you can catch a lot of the action on GAC during episodes of Opry Live scheduled to air on Saturday, October 8 and Tuesday, October 11.

On Friday, October 7, Jason Michael Carroll, Crystal Bowersox, Mandy Barnett, Ricky Skaggs, Connie Smith and The Whites are just some of the talents on the Opry’s schedule. Mandy Barnett will sign copies of her CD Sweet Dreams and her new Christmas album, Winter Wonderland, in the Opry Shop from 5:30 to 6:30 prior to the show.

On Saturday, October 8, Jean Shepard, Charley Pride, Craig Morgan, Ronnie Dunn (who will be making his Opry debut as a solo artist) and Rascal Flatts, who will be inducted as the newest members of the Opry family, are on tap, among others. You can catch the show live on GAC during Opry Live at 9/8 CT.

Taking the Opry stage on Tuesday, October 11 will be Chris Young, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, LeAnn Rimes, Montgomery Gentry, Sara Evans, Scotty McCreery and Trace Adkins. Some performances will be broadcast live on Opry Live at 8/7 CT on GAC. Other performances from the night will be filmed for an episode of Opry Live to air October 29 at 9/8 CT.

All Opry performances are streamed live on 650 AM WSM and episodes of Opry Live will re-air throughout the week on GAC. Check the schedule for times >>

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The Oak Ridge Boys Photo Credit: Jarrett Gaza

The Oak Ridge Boys will release their new album, It’s Only Natural, through Cracker Barrel Old Country Store’s exclusive music program on September 19. The album celebrates the 30th year of the band’s hit song “Elvira,” with a re-recording of the song as well as six other hits and five new songs.

“The heart of the CD was inspired by a collection of time-honored songs, but its soul comes from the collaboration we had on this project with talented producers Ron Chancey and Michael Sykes,” said Joe Bonsall.  “Ron originally produced ‘Elvira’ and all of our gold and platinum albums. This is Michael’s ninth project co-producing with Duane.”

“The Oak Ridge Boys’ authenticity and ability to connect with multi-generational audiences make them a perfect fit with our guests and our brand,” said Julie Craig, marketing manager for Cracker Barrel.  “We’re delighted to celebrate their 30 year anniversary of ‘Elvira’ and to offer our guests this special CD as part of our exclusive music program.  We’re also thrilled to know that in just a few days, they will become official members of the Grand Ole Opry.  What a wonderful and well-deserved honor!”

The band’s songs “Lucky Moon,” “No Matter How High,” “Gonna Take a Lot of River,” “Beyond Those Years” and “True Heart” will all be featured on the album. One of the new songs, “Sacrifice…for Me,” written by Joe Bonsall, is dedicated to America’s heroes. The project is the latest in Cracker Barrel’s exclusive music program that includes releases most recently from Jason Michael Carroll, Kenny Rogers, The Grascals and many more.

GAC congratulates the Oaks on their new CD and upcoming induction into the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, August 6!

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Jason Michael Carroll's 2011 CD, Numbers. Photo courtesy of Webster PR.

As the latest addition to Cracker Barrel’s exclusive CD music program, Jason Michael Carroll returns with Numbers, his first collection of new songs since 2009’s Growing Up Is Getting Old. Anchored by his deep southern drawl, Numbers showcases Jason Michael’s honest songwriting with 12 songs unafraid to face the truth.

Jason Michael wrote or co-wrote eleven of the twelve tracks on Numbers, and along with Patrick Davis and Mark Dearnley, serves as co-producer for the album as well. Being tied so closely to all aspects of the project seems to have carried over into a genuine feeling of honesty throughout the collection. On the mid-tempo, heartsick power ballad “Stray,” (co-written with Radney Foster), Jason Michael clearly acknowledges the intentions of the song’s love interest, singing You’re gonna stray and leave me standing alone/ You’re gonna stray, baby, your love’s already gone/ You don’t want to be here, it’s perfectly clear and you think you got it hidden away/ I know you’re gonna stray. The hard country “Can I Get An Amen” (co-written with Rivers Rutherford and George Teren) puts interesting twists on what would have been a more generic redneck anthem with lyrical jabs like, I believe in loud guitars, smoky bars and muscle cars/ pick-up trucks and gun control, as long as they leave mine alone. Compelling stories and the ability to express complex feelings through just the right words are a highlight here as Jason Michael conveys so much with his delivery.

Jason Michael’s voice is rich and full throughout the album as it twists and turns through clever melodies. Opening with the Western-edged “This Is For The Lonely,” full sounding drums, classic Telecaster guitar tones and loose pedal steel support his strong baritone singing, For all the hearts that had to break/ For all the nights you like awake/ For all the love not meant to be/ This is for the lonely. And over a chorus of big guitars on the adult contemporary-leaning “Don’t Know Why I Don’t,” he maneuvers complicated rhythms and a hook-filled melody singing, I don’t know why I don’t, stop everything, drop everything, and tell you I need you so/ What’s stopping me, I don’t know.

Also included is a bonus track pulled from Jason Michael’s 2007 debut album Waitin’ In The Country. His first single, “Alyssa Lies,” (which went Top 5 at Country radio) is a stinging traditional country piece written solely by him that deals with child abuse. It’s a topic that isn’t touched on often and Jason Michael illustrates tenderness, and talent, working through such a sensitive subject as he masterfully divulges details in the song. Four years later, with a new collection of songs on Numbers, Jason Michael continues to display an honest voice unafraid to shy away from hard, truthful songwriting.

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Jason Michael Carroll’s new album, Numbers, has been released exclusively in Cracker Barrel stores. A former Cracker Barrel server, Jason Michael is the first artist to both work for the restaurant and release an album through its exclusive music program. The album is a compilation of 12 songs about everyday life and includes his hit “Alyssa Lies” as well as his current single, “Numbers.”

“Most numbers mean absolutely nothing,” Jason said. “But some of them, like the date you meet the person you are going to spend the rest of your life with, mean everything.”

“Jason Michael Carroll’s Cracker Barrel experience has come full circle,” said Julie Craig, Marketing Manager for Cracker Barrel.  “Numbers is about the connection between being at certain places at certain times in your life, and our special connection with Jason was born the day he started working in our Henderson store.  He’s already made history within the Cracker Barrel family and we hope when people hear this CD, he’ll be on his way to making some music history as well.”

Numbers is available both at Cracker Barrel stores and online at crackerbarrel.com. Jason Michael will also perform on the porches of Cracker Barrels this summer. Dates and times will be announced on crackerbarrel.com/music as they are confirmed.

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Randy Travis' 2011 CD, available exclusively at Cracker Barrel.

Randy Travis has released his latest album, Randy Travis, exclusively at Cracker Barrel as part of the restaurant’s exclusive music program. The self-titled album includes hits “Forever and Ever, Amen,” “I Told You So,” and “1982” as well as six other classics and three previously unreleased tracks. Because both Randy and Cracker Barrel support our military, a portion of the proceeds from sales will go to Wounded Warrior Project.

“After touring quite a number of our country’s military bases and performing repeatedly for our troops, I can tell you that there is nothing as rewarding as doing these shows for our service men and women,” Randy said. “The love they have for this country is inspiring and I am glad that Cracker Barrel, where I myself like to eat, is supporting such a worthwhile project.”

“We offer up this newest CD in our exclusive music program in the hopes that Cracker Barrel guests will enjoy some old favorites and discover some new ones,” said Cracker Barrel’s Senior Vice President of Marketing Chris Ciavarra. “Randy Travis is very popular with our guests, and we like to believe that they will find this to be an exciting CD to add to their collections. We’re also pleased to be supporting Wounded Warrior Project by donating a portion of the proceeds from this CD to that organization.”

Randy’s album is the latest in a string of releases with Cracker Barrel’s exclusive music program. Kenny Rogers, Craig Morgan, Jason Michael Carroll and The Grascals are just some of the artists who have albums available exclusively through Cracker Barrel. Randy Travis is available now.

Tracks on Randy Travis:
1.  Forever and Ever, Amen
2.  No Place Like Home
3.  1982
4.  Better Class of Losers
5.  I Told You So
6.  I’m Free – Previously Unreleased
7.  Forever Together
8.  It’s Just a Matter of Time
9.  She’s Okay and I’m Okay – Previously Unreleased
10.  Deeper Than the Holler
11.  Three Wooden Crosses
12.  This Song Doesn’t Rhyme – Previously Unreleased

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Gary Allan photo courtesy of UMG Nashville.

Gary Allan will kick off the Daily Concerts on the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage during this year’s CMA Music Festival with a 10:00 a.m. CT show on June 9. Reflecting 40 years of country music, the stage’s daily lineup will feature past, current, and future superstar artists. The Riverfront Stage concerts are free and open to the public.

“Gary Allan will provide a dynamic start to 2011 CMA Music Festival at the Daily Concerts on the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage,” said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “This stage is packed with great hit-makers from the ’70s through today, spotlighting all the decades of CMA Music Festival’s existence. And it’s free! We invite everyone to come and enjoy the great music on the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage.”

Darryl Worley will close the Daily Concerts on Friday, June 10, Billy Ray Cyrus on Saturday, June 11 and Terri Clark on Sunday, June 12. Terri last performed at CMA Music Festival in 2007, Billy Ray in 2008 and Darryl in 2010.

The current daily artist lineups in alphabetical order:

Thursday, June 9: Gary Allan, Emerson Drive, Colt Ford, Jack Ingram, Sammy Kershaw, Craig Morgan, James Otto, Jake Owen, Randy Rogers Band, and Steel Magnolia.

Friday, June 10: Frankie Ballard, Bucky Covington, Brett Eldredge, Jo Dee Messina, Randy Montana, Heidi Newfield, Sawyer Brown, Phil Vassar, James Wesley, and  Darryl Worley.

Saturday, June 11: Crystal Bowersox, Jason Michael Carroll, Billy Ray Cyrus, Steve Holy, Lonestar, David Nail, Corey Smith,  Mel Tillis, and Chuck Wicks.

Sunday, June 12: The Bellamy Brothers, Terri Clark, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Josh Kelley, LoCash Cowboys, Jerrod Niemann, Troy Olsen, and Sunny Sweeney.

Performance order will be listed on CMAfest.com, the official website of CMA Music Festival, closer to the event. Additional artists will be announced. Artists and dates subject to change.

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Jason Michael Carroll photo by David Bean, courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

Before Jason Michael Carroll had hit songs like “Alyssa Lies” and “Living Our Love Song,” he was serving biscuits and gravy at his local Cracker Barrel in Henderson, NC. Now, he’s partnering with his former employer to release his album Numbers as part of Cracker Barrel’s exclusive music program. The album will include his new single, “Numbers,” which debuts at radio today.

“Numbers” is a song that got my attention the first time I heard it,” Jason Michael said. “It was written by Patrick Davis and Rodney Clausen and it’s about the way certain numbers, like dates and times, can represent some of life’s most significant moments.  Moments like your first date, meeting the love of your life and the day your child is born.  Those dates and times have real meaning in our lives.  I think everyone can identify with that concept.”

“The date that Jason Michael Carroll started working for Cracker Barrel is one of those significant numbers,” said Chris Ciavarra, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Cracker Barrel. “We had no idea when he became one of our new-hire Rising Stars that his music career was about to make him a star in the music industry, too. Adding his album to our music program is like welcoming family back home.”

“Numbers” will be available on iTunes April 5. The album will be available in Cracker Barrel stores July 25 and will feature 12 songs, including the hit “Alyssa Lies” as well as, “Numbers.”

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Taylor Swift photo courtesy of twitter.com/taylorswift13.

Taylor Swift:  @taylorswift13  Bring on all the pretenders…

Miranda Lambert:  @Miranda_Lambert  At home making deer meat with my financy!!!:) I love it…..

Frankie Ballard:  @FrankieBallard  Was thinkin how Id never seen a tornado… Then I remembered seein’ Snookie blow thru Tootsies that one night.

Kellie Pickler:  @kelliepickler  Watching “Booty Call”…haven’t seen this movie in years! Jamie Foxx is hilArious!

Jason Michael Carroll photo courtesy of twitter.com/JMCOfficial.

Jason Michael Carroll: @ JMCOfficial  This was pretty cool! I wish I knew who it was from! They paid and left! Thank you….whoever you are!

James Otto: @jamesotto   After that last diaper change the hummus I was planning on eating doesn’t look so appetizing.

Martina McBride  @martinamcbride  Decided I should tweet again. If anything happens 2 me I’d hate 4 my last tweet 2 b about a squirrel. But cant think of anything else so….

Jack Ingram:  @JackIngram  Nobody panic! The Texas Rangers are going to win this World Series. Everything’s gonna be just fine.

Little Big Town: @LBTmusic  Saw Brian McKnight & his mom at the gas station in Franklin today. I’m a huge fan. Got so excited! He was cleaning up her car. What a guy!

Blake Shelton photo courtesy of twitter.com/blakeshelton.

Blake Shelton:  @blakeshelton  My new backroadin’ buddy…

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Rodney Atkins photo courtesy of Curb Nashville.

Chevy: The Official Ride of Country Music will help kick off the 2010 CMA Music Festival on June 9 with “The Sixth Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade” at 11:30 a.m. Central through the streets of downtown Nashville.

Brenda Lee will serve as Grand Marshal and other artists participating in the parade include Lynn Anderson, Katie Armiger, Rodney Atkins, The Band Perry, Bo Bice, Ash Bowers, Carter Twins, Jeff Cook, Diana DeGarmo, Fast Ryde, Colt Ford, Brantley Gilbert, Gloriana, Josh Gracin, The Grascals, The Harters, Buddy Jewell, KingBilly, Jesse Lee, LoCash Cowboys, Lonestar, Jerrod Niemann, James Otto, Danielle Peck, Point of Grace, Marty Raybon, Pam Tillis, Trent Tomlinson, and Chuck Wicks. Members of the National Guard will drive artists along the parade route in Chevy vehicles, including the all new 2011 Silverado HD and the Military Specialty Camaro.

“Chevrolet has had a longstanding, natural relationship with country music, commonly and proudly rooted in American tradition,” said Phil Caruso, Chevrolet Sales Promotion Manager. “We’re excited about this year’s festival and happy to provide fans access to their favorite artists and opportunities to experience Chevrolet’s newest products and technologies.”

After the parade, “The Fifth Annual CMA Music Festival Block Party” will take place on the Chevy Music Stage on the Bridgestone Arena Plaza. The event is free and open to the public and performances are scheduled by David Nail, Chuck Wicks, Jerrod Niemann, Joe Nichols, and Randy Houser.

“CMA is proud to have such a great partner in Chevy,” said Sheri Warnke, CMA Vice President of Strategic Partnerships. “These two great events will certainly help rev up the excitement for this year’s Festival.”

Four more days of live entertainment on the Chevy Music Stage follow The Block Party and are also free and open to the public. Among those scheduled to perform are Bomshel, Mark Wills, Emily West, Ash Bowers, Whitney Duncan, and Jason Michael Carroll.

Country Music fans will have the opportunity to test drive brand new Chevys during CMA Music Festival. Chevy will donate $10 for every test drive to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to aid relief efforts for victims of the recent floods.

Chevy is also giving away a ticket upgrade to the Nightly Concerts at LP Field, will host activities, appearances and meet and greets on the Chevy Stage in the Sports Zone and will also have a booth in the Greased Lightning Fan Fair Hall.

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