Winner to Receive a $50,000 Brand Ambassador Contract

LISLE, Ill., June 08, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eckrich, the makers of naturally hardwood smoked sausage and savory deli meats, is on the hunt for the next country music star.  Today, Eckrich announced their “Music City Sing-Off” competition, where they will host four regional qualifying events, with the winner of each advancing to the final competition to compete for the grand prize at Tootsie’s World Famous Orchid Lounge “Birthday Bash” on October 12^th.  The grand prize winner will receive a $50,000 brand ambassador contract with Eckrich and the opportunity to record a single with Grammy-nominated producer, Dave Brainard.

The first qualifying event will take place during CMA Music Fest on June 11, in the capital of country music, Nashville, Tn. at Tootsies Honky Tonk Alley. The additional regional qualifying events will occur at the Buckeye Country Superfest on June 19 in Columbus, Ohio, Summerfest on July 2 in Milwaukee, Wi. and the Oregon Jamboree on July 31 in Sweet Home, Or.  The winners of each regional qualifier will gather in Nashville on October 12^th where the winner will be determined during the competition’s final round.

A judging panel consisting of country music professionals, radio station executives and the country’s top grocery retailers will help determine the winner of each competition.  The Eckrich Music City Sing-Off will also be featured nationally on the Great American Country network, during their popular program, Top 20 Country Countdown throughout the course of the competition.

“This is another exciting program from Eckrich that supports our passion for country music and its fans,” said Chuck Gitkin, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Smithfield Foods.  “Eckrich is a proud partner of country music stars such as Randy Houser and Easton Corbin and has supported several other young artists.  We are now proud to announce this program as we look for the next country music star.”

For more information about the Eckrich “Music City Sing-Off,” please visit www.eckrichsingoff.com or follow Eckrich on Facebook and Twitter.  Eckrich is a brand of Smithfield Foods.

About Eckrich  

Founded by Peter Eckrich in 1894, Eckrich has a rich heritage starting from a small meat market in Fort Wayne, Ind. Through it all, Eckrich meats have been recognized for their great taste and supreme quality, craftsmanship, care and pride. For more information, visit www.eckrich.com.

About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is a $14 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield®, Eckrich®, Nathan's Famous®, Farmland®, Armour®, Cook's®, John Morrell®, Gwaltney®, Kretschmar®, Margherita®, Curly's®, Carando® and Healthy Ones®. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com.

Contact:
Jeff Dennison
Breaking Limits for Eckrich
2137 South Blvd., Suite 200
Charlotte, N.C. 28203
Direct: 704-766-9061
Cell: 704-252-3356
E-Mail: jdennison@breakinglimits.net