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Creative KFC

KFC pays tribute to Nashville Hot Chicken in song

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By Lisa Lacy, n/a

December 12, 2016 | 3 min read

On the heels of chicken-themed products like candles, sunscreen and nail polish, KFC has released what it calls the "spiciest and smokiest album of 2016," the Nashville Hot record, which is available on 33 1/3 and online.

KFC has released an album to promote its Nashville Hot Chicken.

KFC has released an album to promote its Nashville Hot Chicken.

Written, produced and performed by actor Fred Armisen, KFC said – no surprise here – the record celebrates its Nashville Hot Chicken, which is available through April 2017.

It’s hardly the brand’s first brush with Hollywood. In recent history, KFC has cast no less than six men in the role of the Colonel, including Mad Men’s Vincent Kartheiser, as well as SNL’s Norm MacDonald and Darrell Hammond, actor George Hamilton and comedians Jim Gaffigan and Rob Riggle.

According to a press release, only 125 physical copies of the record were produced and a select number were also placed in 14 record stores “for those willing to crate-dig for a chance to obtain these lathe-cut gems.”

A list of the locations with hidden records can be found on the Nashville Hot Record website. A rep said approximately 100 copies were hidden and the brand plans to surprise some "special fans" with the remaining records.

According to the brand, the release of the Nashville Hot record pays homage to the Colonel's apparent real-life tradition of producing his own albums to promote chicken.

“In the 1960s, KFC produced a variety of albums featuring everything from Christmas compilations from popular artists of the time, to Tijuana Brass knockoffs, and even trendy tunes from his very own mandolin band,” the release said.

Naturally, KFC said the tracks on its latest album – which include “C-O-L-O-N-E-L” and “Nashville-Centric Boogie” – are best enjoyed with Nashville Hot Chicken.

"Our fans are so passionate about KFC Nashville Hot Chicken that we've actually set a record for selling the most Nashville Hot Chicken ever," said Kevin Hochman, KFC’s chief marketing officer in the US, in a statement. "So making a lathe-cut record was the next absolutely logical, non-crazy thing to do. Clearly."

KFC also said it was the first national quick service restaurant to tap into the Hot Chicken trend when it launched its own version in January 2016.

Creative KFC

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