Nashville Gears Up For CRS 2010: “It’s A Whole New Decade!”

Feb 25, 2010 Nashville Gears Up For CRS 2010: “It’s A Whole New Decade!”

Country Radio Seminar Runs Wednesday, Feb. 24 – Feb. 26 at the Nashville Convention Center Music City is preparing this week for Nashville’s biggest annual Country radio industry event as CRS 2010 opens on Wednesday, Feb. 24, in downtown Nashville at the Convention Center. Proclaimed “Country Radio Week” by Mayor Karl Dean, the week of Country Radio Seminar is the culmination of months of planning by Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. to bring the best and brightest educators, speakers and performers to Nashville that the Country Radio industry has to offer.  The three-day event has undergone a series of upgrades this year that include a redesigned agenda, updated educational panels, newly enhanced feature events, the debut of a $99 Unemployment Rate and more artist performances than ever before. “This year’s CRS has made significant strides to bring our seminar up to date in many key areas,” says interim CRB Executive Director Bill Mayne.  “Our slogan of ‘It’s A Whole New Decade’ is designed to let everyone know that Country Radio Broadcasters has heard the call of our radio industry and worked hard to give our seminar a facelift.  Our work is not done, but we feel that CRS 2010 is a positive step towards our goal as we begin this new decade.” A brief, day-by-day summary of CRS 2010 agenda highlights follows below. Tuesday, Feb. 24: The Country Music DJ and Radio Hall of Fame induction and dinner unofficially marks the beginning of CRS each year.  The 2010 inductees are Bill Bailey, Laurie DeYoung and Rudy Fernandez (DJ Hall of Fame) and Cy Blumenthal, Dan Halyburton and Mike Hammond (Radio Hall of Fame).  Brooks & Dunn will receive the Career Achievement Award and Charlie Cook will be presented the President’s Award.  Dierks Bentley will give a special acoustic performance to honor Brooks & Dunn. Tickets for the DJ Hall of Fame event are now sold out. Wednesday, Feb. 24: Following the official welcoming ceremonies, Wednesday’s events kick off with the anticipated keynote address from financial expert Dave Ramsey, followed by the Artist & Radio Humanitarian Awards.  Key panels during the day include a Country Consumers focus group, a motivational Workplace 911 session with best-selling author Bob Rosner, a label and radio partnership discussion and the Arbitron-sponsored PPM panel.  Wednesday’s performances include a packed UMG luncheon at the Ryman Auditorium with: Gary Allan, Ryan Bingham, Easton Corbin, Billy Currington, Vince Gill, Mallary Hope, Julianne Hough, Jamey Johnson, David Nail, Randy Rogers Band, Sugarland, Josh Turner and Lee Ann Womack.  ASCAP’s songwriter showcase (formerly KCRS Live!) will feature Darius Rucker, as well as songwriters Clay Mills, Frank Rogers, Chris DuBois, Ashley Gorley and Rivers Rutherford.  The CRS 2010 Music City Jam™ performance will be given by Taylor Swift, and Rascal Flatts will close out the evening with their 10th anniversary radio party, sponsored by Lyric Street Records.  Rodney Atkins will perform an acoustic set during the label partnership panel.  Wednesday also features the return of the Artist/Attendee Welcome Reception just prior to the Music City Jam. Thursday, Feb. 25: Thursday is packed with a wealth of educational panels, including sessions on how to increase station revenue, pros and cons of playlists, how to attract and hold on to listeners, improving interview skills and more.  One of Thursday’s highlights is this year’s CMA Research Presentation, which will provide recent data and feedback from its Country Music Fan Tracking Study.  A follow-up research workshop will review and interpret the study’s findings. Performances include the Sony luncheon, featuring Alan Jackson, Danny Gokey, and a special announcement from Brooks & Dunn.  WCRS Live! (sponsored by BMI and Country Aircheck) hosts performances from legendary Tom T. Hall and fellow songwriters Wynn Varble and Easton Corbin. Friday, Feb. 26: Friday kicks off with the Manager’s Breakfast, followed by a morning of panels and sessions on: maximizing promotional budgets, PPM technology, radiothons, Arbitron vs. Nielsen, small market programming and the CRS Hot Topic panel: The Art of Transition.  After lunch, topics include brand marketing, online media marketing, talent coaching, the popular Town Hall panel and more.  The Operation Troop Aid package deployment assembly line will take place just before Friday’s luncheon. Performances on Friday include Emily West and Eric Church at the Capitol luncheon and one of Country Radio Seminar’s perennial highlights, the New Faces of Country Music Show.  This year’s lineup features: Gloriana, Randy Houser, Love and Theft, Justin Moore and Chris Young.  The Digital Rodeo Guilty Pleasures Show unofficially closes out CRS 2010 at Cadillac Ranch. On-site registration for CRS 2010 is $649 and single day registrations are available for $225. A detailed schedule and descriptions of CRS 2010’s panels and confirmed panelists can be viewed at the Country Radio Broadcasters website: www.CRB.org.  CRB, Inc. reserves the right to modify or change the agenda as speakers and panelists are added or removed. 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.  CRS 2010 will be held Feb. 24-26, 2010 in Nashville, Tenn.  Registration is currently available online at www.CRB.org or by contacting the Country Radio Broadcasters 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.