The Top Tens- The All-Time Best Cracker Barrel Release Albums

The Cracker Barrel is a southern institution. People know Cracker Barrel for their food, huge portions, gift items and friendly service in a comfortable atmosphere. They also believe music contributes to that atmosphere as well. (As would their longtime sponsorship of the Grand Ole Opry would attest.) In keeping with their commitment to heritage and authenticity, Cracker Barrel created its Heritage Music label. These exclusive recordings are an appealing blend of heritage and authenticity. The following artists are part of that Heritage Music collection. They’ve also been Cracker Barrel fans for years, spending time in the dining rooms during their cross-country tours. Here are the top ten Cracker Barrel albums:

10) Sara Evans- Feels Like Home- It's not often that you get to sit down with someone like Sara Evans and put together a collection of personal favorites. Now CB as done that and they're happy to offer this exclusive Cracker Barrel CD full of some of Sara's favorite songs. And mine, too.

9) Aaron Tippin- He Believed- Similar to his previous #1 hit records, Aaron and his wife, Thea, wrote several of the new songs on this record, including He Believed. The song is a touching story inspired by the unexpected death of Aaron’s father in 2005. The lyrics powerfully describe the emotional connection between Aaron and his father who was also his best friend and mentor. He Believed also features six of Aaron’s top recordings including: Working Man’s PhD, Whole Lotta Love On The Line and I Got It Honest.

8) Kenny Rogers- 50 Years- His newest CD, 50 Years, is now exclusively available at all Cracker Barrel locations and includes three new songs!

7) Alabama- The Last Stand- When legendary country music group Alabama broke the news of their 2003-2004 American Farewell Tour, an entire generation of fans turned out to support the band's last stand. After more than two decades, the curtain was closing on one of the biggest-selling, most successful bands in popular music history. Cracker Barrel recorded a live collection of classic Alabama hits performed during that tour.

6) Songs Of The Year- These fan favorites, each a winner of Song of the Year from the Grammy Awards, the Country Music Association or the Academy of Country Music, have been recently re-recorded by some of country's greatest artists, as well as several of its newest stars.

5) Great Ladies of the Opry Live Classics- The Grand Ole Opry's first singing stars may have been men like Roy Acuff and Uncle Dave Macon, but by the 1960's, the show's stage doors swung wide for women as well. Comedienne Minnie Pearl and Kitty Wells had opened those doors, and ladies like Jean Shepard and Patsy Cline quickly followed. This CD features live recordings of classic hits from some of the Opry's great ladies.

4) Charlie Daniels Band- Country Stars N Stripes- This is the perfect July 4th barbeque album to play. It's a collection of all-American songs from one of the original gentlemen of country rock.

3) Johnny Cash- American Legends- The second volume in their American Music Legends collection, this Johnny Cash CD features more of his classic hits including live performances of Folsom Prison Blues and A Boy Named Sue. Plus, he's Johnny Cash so he has to be at the top of the list...

2) Josh Turner: Live At The Ryman- Josh’s music connects generations of country fans in much the same way traditions connect generations of families. It's an honor to listen to Josh’s first recorded live concert performance from the historic Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville, Tennessee.

1) Alison Krauss & Union Station- Home on the Highways- Quite possibly one of my favorite albums in my collection, the CD features favorites hand-picked by Alison Krauss and Union Station- not necessarily their biggest hits, but their own personal favorites. It's a must-own.