Hallmark Cards to feature country music artists

Greeting card buyers can soon hear a 15-second clip of “Mud on the Tires” or other popular country songs in a new line of Hallmark cards.

Kansas City-based Hallmark Cards Inc. has reached a licensing agreement with the Country Music Association to feature some country recording artists’ music on select “song” cards.

Songs by Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Craig Morgan, Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood are included in the new 12-card line, which will sell for $4.99 each.

The cards are designed for birthdays and other occasions. They are to begin appearing in some Wal-Mart stores in mid-October. After that, the country line is due to be distributed through multiple retail channels, Hallmark said.

Emily Evans, director of strategic partnerships for the Country Music Association, said the agreement marks the 50th anniversary of the association and “gives our fans another way to celebrate.”

Hallmark has been expanding its product line through licensing agreements with several popular entities, such as Major League Baseball and Mattel.

This story was originally published August 5, 2016 at 2:06 PM with the headline "Hallmark Cards to feature country music artists."