SMITHFIELD, Va., March 02, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kretschmar® Premium Deli Meats & Cheeses is once again delivering legendary country music experiences to fans nationwide with its Kretschmar Country program. The brand is reenlisting three-time American Country Award winner Easton Corbin as a brand ambassador for 2018, along with rising country music stars Ruthie Collins, Kelleigh Bannen, and Natalie Stovall.

Throughout the year, Kretschmar Country will offer a wide variety of exclusive country music experiences, including a consumer sweepstakes that will give one lucky fan and a guest a VIP experience at this year's CMA Fest. The talent roster will also be involved in a slew of Kretschmar marketing activities throughout 2018, which will include concerts, radio and broadcast appearances, and providing support to the brand's ongoing partnership with the Make-A-Wish® Foundation.

"We are beyond excited to have Easton, Ruthie, Kelleigh, and Natalie continue to be a part of the Kretschmar family," said Michael Baughman, Smithfield Foods director of marketing. "Partnering with some of the best talents in country music is the perfect complement to the brand's unwavering commitment to superior quality. We're dedicated to providing our fans with amazing country music experiences they'll never forget, and Corbin and the Kretschmar Country team will undoubtedly help us deliver that this year."

Easton Corbin hit the music scene in 2009 with the No. 1 single, "A Little More Country Than That" and won several Breakthrough Artist awards. Since then, he has released three hit albums with songs including, "Roll With It," "Lovin' You is Fun," and "All Over the Road." Corbin spent 2016 on one of the biggest tours in country music, Carrie Underwood's The Storyteller Tour, and is currently working on new music for his fourth studio album. His current Top 5 single "A Girl Like You" garnered rave reviews. Taste of Country picked it as a Critics Pick saying, "It takes a fraction of a second to know Easton Corbin is on to something different with ‘A Girl Like You."

Ruthie Collins was recently named as one of CMT's Next Women of Country, which launched in 2013 to give more attention and airplay to emerging female artists. She will also be featured as part of the recently announced digital performance series "Next Women of Country LIVE" on CMT.com. Coming off her acclaimed self-titled debut single, Collins is now hard at work writing and co-producing her debut album. Her multi-faceted artistry is on display with her love of all things vintage, carefully weaving in and out her musical passions along the way.

Throughout a career that has included major-label singles, independent releases, Top-50 hits, and shows alongside icons like Hank Williams Jr. and Luke Bryan, Kelleigh Bannen has consistently called her shots. She continues that streak with her single, "Cheap Sunglasses," a mix of melodic hooks and modern production, all of which she co-wrote. Her influence reaches far beyond the stage, too. This Nashville Life, a new podcast launched and hosted by Bannen, shines a light on the "business" side of country music. Look for new music in the spring of 2018.

Powerhouse vocalist Natalie Stovall has captivated audiences worldwide with her energetic performances since debuting on the Grand Ole Opry at age twelve. Performing everywhere from Oprah to the White House, the fiddle phenom was named one of "CMT's Next Women of Country," recently toured with syndicated radio star Bobby Bones and appeared as a finalist on Season 13 of "The Voice." Stovall has released two critically acclaimed singles, one garnering a Top 40 spot on Billboard's Country Chart. She's currently in the studio working on a new project and her latest single, "Wine or Whiskey" features backing vocals from Little Big Town's Jimi Westbrook.

For more information about Kretschmar Deli visit www.kretschmardeli.com or www.facebook.com/kretschmardeli. Kretschmar is a brand of Smithfield Foods.

About Kretschmar
Kretschmar® Premium Deli Meats & Cheeses has meant quality since 1883. Our hams are made with a unique hardwood smoking process. Kretschmar poultry and beef are hand-trimmed using the finest cuts. Our full line of Off-The-Bone deli meats is delicately sliced from the leanest, most tender cuts. And our premium Wisconsin cheeses repeatedly win in competitions worldwide. Try the Legendary Taste of Kretschmar today. For great recipes and more, like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/kretschmardeli or visit our website at www.kretschmardeli.com.

About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is a $15 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Ⓡ, Farmer John®, KretschmarⓇ, John MorrellⓇ, Cook'sⓇ, GwaltneyⓇ, CarandoⓇ, MargheritaⓇ, Curly'sⓇ, Healthy OnesⓇ, MorlinyⓇ, KrakusⓇ, and BerlinkiⓇ. 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.

About Easton Corbin
With two No. 1 singles, 7 Top 10 singles and multiple awards and nominations, plus performances on some of the biggest stages in the world including performing on one of the biggest tours in country music-Carrie Underwood's 2016 The Storyteller Tour, Easton Corbin has made a lasting impression on the country music landscape. He is lauded for his traditional country sound, authentic lyrics, and mastery of understatement. American Songwriter says, "Easton Corbin has one of those rare, glorious voices that was made—just made—for singing country music." Known for his signature hits including "A Little More Country Than That," "Roll With It," "Lovin' You Is Fun" and "Baby Be My Love Song" from his No. 1 debuting album About To Get Real. His emotional "Are You With Me" was the most added song at radio the day it was released. Corbin's current Top 5 single "A Girl Like You" garnered rave reviews. Taste of Country picked it as a Critics Pick saying, "It takes a fraction of a second to know Easton Corbin is on to something different with ‘A Girl Like You.'" Corbin is currently in the studio finishing new music for his fourth studio album.

Media Contact:
Megan Milano, on behalf of Kretschmar®
mmilano@Hunterpr.com
(212) 679-6600

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8f02613c-05a2-4046-b5e8-e86e8387702f