Times-Tribune Staff Report

County music singer Aaron Tippin will be signing his new CD, “He Believed,” at Cracker Barrel in London from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday.

“He Believed” is a collection of songs the singer recorded to honor his father, who died in a car crash in 2005.

“Although this CD is dedicated to my dad, I hope it speaks to everyone who has had a mentor like he was to me,” Tippin said. “I am grateful to Cracker Barrel for believing in me and this music. I am honored to partner up with Cracker Barrel on this project that is so dear to my heart.”

The CD is available at all Cracker Barrel locations.

“When you listen to the songs you can see where I put songs on there my dad loved and songs I thought the guys would really love,” Tippin said. “It’s sort of given me the opportunity to do a ‘guy album.’”

The album includes six classic Tippin hits, including “I Got It Honest,” “Working Man’s Ph.D.” and “My Blue Angel,” which Tippin said he recorded for any mothers who might purchase the record. New cuts include the tender title track, “Country Boy’s Toolbox” and “Trim Yourself to Fit the World.”

“These are old favorites of my dad’s, not necessarily my favorites,” the father of three said. “I remember I would get on stage or I would send him the advance stuff and he would always say, ‘That song there, that’s a big hit for you,’ and ‘You need to put that (song) on that (CD).’ Of course, he’d always preface it with, ‘Now, I don’t know much about the music business, Aaron, but I tell you, if it was mine? I’d put this song here, because it’s a good one.’”

The CD is the first product of Tippin’s new association with Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, which started dabbling in country music in 2005. Cracker Barrel execs said they see music as just another way to set themselves apart from the competition.

“Having this clearly defined music program is a key way for Cracker Barrel to connect emotionally with our guests and therefore strengthen the connection with the brand,” said Peter Keiser, vice president of marketing at the restaurant. “The exclusive nature of these offerings is a key drive of sales within the store and a point of difference that Cracker Barrel can own.”

Tippin began performing in local honky tonks in the 1970s. He competed on the TNN”s “You Can Be A Star” TV talent contest in 1985, landed a songwriter’s contract and moved to Music City in 1986. Tippin performed his first Nashville night club show in 1990. It earned him a recording contract with RCA records. Before ever setting foot on tour, he was afforded the opportunity to join Bob Hope on a USO tour to Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War. After Aaron came home, hits for RCA led to concert dates with such superstars as Brooks & Dunn, Reba McEntire and Hank Williams Jr.

Five of Tippin’s RCA albums became Gold Records and one went Platinum. Between 1990- 97, Tippin scored six hits records and created such memorable moments as “Call Of The Wild”, “I Got It Honest” and “Whole Lotta Love On The Line”. He appeared on the soundtracks of such films as “The Beverly Hillbillies” (1993) and “Fire Down Below” (1997) and became the commercial spokesman for Channel Lock Tools. Success as a songwriter for others also continued as Garth Brooks, Charley Pride and Kenny Chesney recorded Tippin tunes.

In 2002 Tippin went to Afghanistan and since then he has been making annual visits to our forces in Iraq and became the celebrity spokesperson for the Paralyzed Veterans Of America, the Armed Services YMCA which takes care of military families while their spouses are overseas and Toys for Tots which the Marines founded. At every show, Tippin puts together a bike on stage while performing and at the end of each night, he brings a Marine up and donates the bike to the children of that community that they are in for Toys for Tots. Tippin has donated over 500 bikes since he became involved in this charity.

Tippin has been on “The Larry King Show”, “Hannity and Colmes” and performed shows for the “Hannity Freedom Concert” and many benefits to support our troops.