Country's 20 Classic Gospel Songs of the Century

            Nashville, TN  - April 20, 2004...Two of the most historical genres of music band together as New Haven Records joins the Country Music Hall of Fame^® and Museum to release The Country Music Hall of Fame Presents Country’s 20 Classic Gospel Songs of the Century on Tuesday, May 4, 2004.

Country music’s debt to gospel music is incalculable.  Gospel’s forms and themes have helped shape the singers and writers of secular country music, and many of country’s classic performers first sang in church settings.

Country’s 20 Classic Gospel Songs of the Century brings together many of the most important examples of that connection.  The singers represented here—from the original Carter Family through Hank Williams and Elvis Presley to Vince Gill and Alison Krauss—are known primarily as secular entertainers, but nearly all have made important gospel recordings.  In terms of both artists and songs, this CD is a true best-of collection.

Country’s 20 Classic Gospel Songs of the Century is the third in New Haven Records’ Songs of the Century series, following Southern Gospel’s Top 20 Songs of the Century (Volumes 1 and 2) and Gospel’s Top 20 Songs of the Century.  The latest volume represents a partnership with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Nashville’s revered repository of country music history and memorabilia.  Museum personnel joined New Haven in judiciously selecting the final artists and songs.  Prior to consulting the Museum, New Haven had polled many classic and traditional country radio disk jockeys and program directors to find out their listeners’ most-requested recordings.