Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc.® Gearing Up for 40th Anniversary in Grand Style

Oct 13, 2008 Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc.® Gearing Up for 40th Anniversary in Grand Style

Since 1969, the Country Radio Seminar® in Nashville has played host to a wide variety of executives in the Radio and Record industries from across the country.  This year continues that tradition with the Country Radio Seminar's 40th anniversary celebration, which provides an exciting mix of educational events and entertainment. "Despite the challenges that radio and the music industry have been facing recently, we are pleased that after 40 years the Country Radio Seminar remains an event in which those in our businesses feel they must participate," says CRB Executive Director Ed Salamon,  "Last year's convention had increases in paid registration and in sponsorships, as well as great participation from artists. With Tim McGraw kicking off the event with the Music City JamTM, we look forward to another successful year." The CRB Board, CRS-40 Agenda Committee and the CRB staff have worked for several months to put together an agenda that highlights the past, present and future of country radio and the country music industry.  In addition to this year's numerous panels and speakers, there will be six specific events incorporating the 40th anniversary theme, including 40 New Media Ideas, 40 Ingredients for a More Balanced Life, 40 Free Research Ideas and 40 Great Programming Ideas in 40 Minutes, among others. CRS-40 will feature artists making their first appearance at a CRS event, as well as those that have an extensive history of participation in previous seminars.  An example would be McGraw himself, who participated in the New Faces of Country Music® show in 1994 and later headlined the Super Faces show in 1999.  McGraw returns this year to headline the Music City Jam. Returning events at CRS-40 include the label-sponsored lunches, Artist Radio Taping Sessions, the New Faces of Country Music show, the songwriter showcases WCRS and KCRS Live, the CRS After Hours events and the popular Music City Jam. As usual, this year's list of guest speakers is a who's who of the Music and Radio industry and includes Gary Marince (Arbitron), Tonya Campos (KKGO), Annie Sandor (WKIS), Blake Shelton (Warner Bros. Artist), Mike McVay (McVay Media), Chuck Wicks (RCA Records Artist), John Trapane (Clear Channel), Mike Kennedy (KBEQ), Steve Geofferies (WSSL & WESC), John Paul (KUPL), Ken Boesen (WKIS), Heidi Newfield (Curb Records Artist), Scott Huskey (Rusty Walker Programming), Joel Raab (Joel Raab & Associates), Beverlee Brannigan (KFDI), Andy Denemark (USRN), Gary Allan (UMG Artist), Mike O'Malley (Albright & O'Malley), Nate Deaton (KRTY), Gwen Foster (KMLE), Keith Hill (Keith Hill Consulting), Meg Stevens (WPOC/WMZQ), Bob Pickett (KASE) and Shelly Easton (WCTO).  Additional speakers and panelists are still being confirmed. CRS-40 officially kicks off with the Keynote and Opening Ceremonies at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 4 and concludes Friday, March 6 with the New Faces of Country Music show. A detailed schedule of CRS-40's Agenda and confirmed panelists can be viewed at the Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. website: www.crb.org.  The agenda is subject to change as speakers and panelists are added or removed. Early bird registration is still available online at www.crb.org or by contacting the Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. at 615-327-4487. About CRB: The Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization founded in 1969 to bring radio broadcasters from around the world together with the Country Music Industry to ensure vitality and promote growth in the Country Radio format.  More information may be obtained at: www.crb.org or at the CRB office at 615-327-4487. About CRS: The Country Radio Seminar is an annual convention designed to educate and promote the exchange of ideas in the country music industry.  Country Radio Seminar is a registered trademark of Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc.