XPost: rec.music.country.western, alt.music.country.classic   
   From: gcmccoury@yahoo.com   
      
   Jan 9, 2005   
      
   NASHVILLE (Billboard) - A sponsorship deal between Alison Krauss + Union   
   Station and Cracker Barrel Old Country Store will link the Lebanon,   
   Tenn.-based restaurant chain with the bluegrass act for all of 2005.   
      
   The alliance, which industry sources value in the high six figures, is   
   for the group's Lonely Runs Both Ways tour, which begins Jan. 12 at the   
   Chattanooga (Tenn.) Memorial Auditorium.   
      
   Krauss' manager Denise Stiff says much of the money will be put into   
   tour production, including a year-long bus lease. The combo's only other   
   major sponsorship has been with Martha White Flour.   
      
   "This is a natural fit with a product we genuinely love," Stiff said,   
   adding that the deal is a rare commercial endorsement for the group.   
   "We're very selective."   
      
   The tour supports Alison Krauss + Union Station's new Rounder release,   
   "Lonely Runs Both Ways," and could include as many as 100 dates during   
   the course of 2005.   
      
   As part of the sponsorship, Alison Krauss + Union Station (featuring   
   Jerry Douglas) will perform at least four times this year at the Grand   
   Ole Opry in Nashville. Cracker Barrel has a multi-year sponsorship deal   
   with the Opry, of which Krauss is a member.   
      
   Additional elements of the deal include a Cracker Barrel wrap for the   
   tour bus, consumer Web site and Internet promotions, meet-and-greets,   
   promotional tickets, inclusion in TV and print promotions, venue signage   
   and on-site marketing opportunities at all venues hosting performances.   
      
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