Michael W. Smith Bringing the Christmas Spirit Near You on His Crackel Barrel-Sponsored Tour

By Timothy Yap Sep 24, 2014 02:25 AM EDT

Contemporary Christian artist and worship leader Michael W. Smith will be bringing the Christmas Spirit to a city near you as he launches "The Spirit of Christmas Tour." The tour will be sponsored by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®.

"I'm really happy to have Cracker Barrel as a tour sponsor," remarked Smith. "Our local Cracker Barrel has become a very special place over the past several years. It's where I take my Dad once a week for breakfast. We've shared some great memories there that I'll always cherish. It feels great to have Cracker Barrel as part of my tour."

"We enjoyed working with Michael and his team when we exclusively released his Hymns album earlier this year, and were so happy for them when it was recently nominated for a Dove Award," said Cracker Barrel Marketing Manager Julie Craig. "Christmas is a time when families come together, and often they gather to share a meal at Cracker Barrel. When we were approached about sponsoring his 'Spirit of Christmas Tour,' we knew it would be a great fit."

In addition to "The Spirit of Christmas Tour," Smith will co-headline three special events with long-time friend and fellow GRAMMY® winner Amy Grant. Teaming up in Dallas, Minneapolis and Atlanta, Smith and Grant will showcase their beloved Christmas set while performing alongside a full symphony orchestra. Full tour dates are listed below. For more information, visit: www.michaelwsmith.com.

Smith made national headlines last month as he announced the release of Michael W. Smith & Friends: The Spirit of Christmas, featuring an all-star lineup of guests - Vince Gill, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Amy Grant, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Nettles, Bono and Michael McDonald. The album will be available in stores - including Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® - as well as online on September 30.

"This is the most unique and unusual record I've ever done in my 31-year career," remarked Smith. The album was co-produced by Smith, CMA Music Awards and CMA Country Christmas producer Robert Deaton and renowned orchestral maestro David Hamilton.

"The Spirit of Christmas Tour"
All dates subject to change
November 30 - Anaheim, CA
December 1 - Modesto, CA
December 3 - Clarksville, TN
December 4 - Nashville, TN
December 5 - Birmingham, AL
December 6 - Richmond, VA
December 11 - Wichita, KS
December 12 - Dallas, TX*
December 13 - Minneapolis, MN*
December 15 - Atlanta, GA*
December 18 - Spokane, WA
December 19 - Portland, OR
December 20 - Seattle, WA
December 21 - Abbotsford, BC, Canada
*Co-headline with Amy Grant