AJ's baaaack! Alan Jackson gears for Nov. 10 meet 'n' greet downtown

November 4, 9:32 PMNashville Country Music ExaminerLisa L. Rollins

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The usually private Alan Jackson is ready for his second meet 'n' greet in just more than a week.

Courtsy of D. Baron

Locals and country music lovers in town next week during the CMA Awards festivities will have a second opportunity within just over a week to meet favorite Alan Jackson.

This time, though, he'll be at a new attraction–a temporary Cracker Barrel Old Country Store retail shop right in the middle of downtown Music City at 101 Broadway.

The one-week-only attraction will be open Nov. 7–12 and devoted to country music and the lifestyle its fans enjoy. Front and center, of course, will be the brand-new Alan Jackson Collection. The highlight of the week, however, will be an in-store appearance by Jackson himself on Tuesday, Nov. l0, from 9 to 11 a.m.

Per organizers, guests who visit the “pop-up” store will enjoy the same Cracker Barrel hospitality they have come to expect from the popular restaurant concept, sans the biscuits.

“We wanted to create something special for country music fans right in the heart of downtown Nashville to help celebrate CMA Week,” said Peter Keiser, Cracker Barrel’s VP of marketing. “Building a temporary store that features all 40-plus items in The Alan Jackson Collection, as well as other Cracker Barrel retail merchandise related to music and our branded food products, is a good way to provide some extra excitement during CMA Week, (which is) a very special time for country music fans.”

With an international fan base and more than two decades of hit recordings and live shows, Jackson–who just scored a French Country Music Award–isn't one for making a slew of public appearances, choosing instead to keep his off time private and with family. However, with the launch of his new collection via Cracker Barrel, the blue-eyed country star's willing to venture out for the cause and to meet fans.

“I grew up in the South, so Cracker Barrel has been a part of my family since I was a young man,” says Jackson, a Georgia native. “I was really flattered when they came to me with the idea of working together to create a collection for their country store, and I’ve been very impressed with the variety and quality of the items that we have put together. I think my fans and their families will appreciate everything in the collection.”

Hours of operation for the Cracker Barrel "pop-up" store:

Saturday, Nov. 7: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 8:  Noon-6 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 9: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 

Tuesday, Nov. 10:  6 a.m.-6 p.m.; Alan Jackson on site 9-11 a.m. FYI: Starting at 6 a.m., fans who purchase an item from The Alan Jackson Collection will be able to get numbered tickets for a place in the autograph line. Tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Jackson will meet as many fans as possible during the time period and will autograph merchandise from The Alan Jackson Collection.

Wednesday, Nov. 11: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 12:  11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Related reading: Alan Jackson visits local Cracker Barrel Nov. 2 to launch new collection, sign autographs, Country megastar Alan Jackson puts landmark home on the market for $38 million, 43rd Country Music Association Awards will air live Nov. 11 on ABC network, Country Music Association announces 2008 winners, CMA Awards reveal first round of guest presenters and CMA Awards issue apology after omitting Brad Paisley & Keith Urban from nominee list

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