CRS 2012 Attendance Up Nine Percent

CRS 2013 set for Feb. 27 - March 1

(Nashville, Tenn. – Feb. 27, 2012)  CRS 2012 enjoyed an increase in attendance for the fourth straight year, rising 9.6 percent over last year’s totals, according to Country Radio Seminar officials. 

A total of 2,904 registrants attended this year’s seminar, held Feb. 22-24 in Nashville, Tenn.  That number includes 2,190 full registrants (attendees, exhibitors, panelists and sponsors) and 714 participant registrants.  Participant registrants are defined as attendees that register for individual CRS events or purchase single day seminar passes only.  Total CRS attendance in 2011 was 2,649, with 2,181 attendees in 2010 and 2,106 in 2009.

“With attendance jumping nearly 10 percent this year, daily superstar performances, improved on-site conveniences and more event sponsors than ever before, CRS 2012 was a great success,” says CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne.  “This is the fourth straight year we’ve enjoyed growth in our attendance numbers, and it really goes to show how the Country radio industry is not only remaining relevant, but thriving in today’s media saturated marketplace.”

 

CRS 2013 will be held Feb. 27 – March 1, 2013, at the Nashville Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn.  Visit www.CountryRadioSeminar.com for more information.

To view an online photo gallery of events and panels from CRS 2012, visit: www.Flickr.com/AristoPR

CRS 2012 Photo Highlights

(Nashville, Tenn. – Feb. 27, 2012)  CRS 2012 was held Feb. 22-24 in Nashville, Tenn., offering professionals from the Country radio industry three days and nights of panels, speakers, luncheons, research presentations, musical performances and networking opportunities.  Included below are selected photo highlights from CRS 2012.

 

View the official CRS 2012 online photo gallery at www.flickr.com/AristoPR

 

The 2012 inductees to the Country Radio Hall of Fame, held Tuesday, Feb. 21, as the unofficial kick-off to CRS 2012.  L to R: CRS President Mike Culotta, inductees Eddie Stubbs, Ron Rogers, Beverlee Brannigan, Rusty Walker, Bill Whyte, Moby, CRS President's Award winner Bob Kingsley, CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne.  (Not pictured: CRS Lifetime Achievement Award winner Glen Campbell).  Photo: Bev Moser.

 

Rascal Flatts accepted the CRS 2012 Artist Humanitarian of the Year award on Wednesday, Feb. 22, following the seminar's opening ceremonies.  Photo: Bev Moser.

 

Songwriter showcase KCRS Live! featured hit songwriters and artists.  Pictured L to R:  Jim Collins, Andy Gibson, Aaron Lewis, Bobby Pinson.  Photo: Bev Moser.

 

L to R: Marc Chase, Leslie Fram, Lance Tidwell and Tom Baldrica led the "Show Me Your Hits" panel at CRS 2012 on Friday, Feb. 24.  Photo: Bev Moser.

 

Performers at the annual New Faces of Country Music Show, co-sponsored by MDA and ACM, closed out CRS 2012 on Friday night, Feb. 24, at the Nashville Convention Center.  Pictured L to R, top row: Jon Jones (Eli Young Band), Mike Eli (Eli Young Band), Sunny Sweeney, James Young (Eli Young Band), Chris Thompson (Eli Young Band).  Bottom row, L to R: CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne, David Nail, Hunter Hayes, CRS President Mike Culotta.   (Not pictured: New Faces performers Thompson Square). Photo: Bev Moser.

Country Radio Seminar Inducts 2012 Class Into Country Radio Hall of Fame

(Nashville, Tenn. – Feb. 22, 2012) The 2012 class of the Country Radio Hall of Fame was officially inducted last night, Feb. 22, at a sold-out ceremony and dinner held inside the Nashville Convention Center.

Beverlee Brannigan, Ron Rogers and Rusty Walker were inducted in the Radio category, while Moby, Eddie Stubbs and Bill Whyte were the three On-Air category inductees.  Other awards presented during the ceremony included the CRS Career Achievement Award, given to Glen Campbell (not in attendance) and the CRS President’s Award, presented to Bob Kingsley.

The Country Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremonies unofficially kick off Country Radio Seminar each year.  For more information, visit www.CRB.org.

Pictured below, the 2012 class of the Country Radio Hall of Fame.  L to R: CRS President Mike Culotta, Eddie Stubbs, Ron Rogers, Beverlee Brannigan, Rusty Walker, Bill Whyte, Moby, Bob Kingsley, CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne.    Photo: Bev Moser

CRS 2012 Artist and Radio Humanitarian Award Winners

(Nashville, Tenn. – Feb. 22, 2012)  The CRS Radio and Artist Humanitarian Awards were handed out today on the opening day of CRS 2012, held Feb. 22-24 in downtown Nashville at the Nashville Convention Center.

The 2012 Radio Humanitarian winners are KMOK/Lewiston, Idaho (Small Market), WIVK/Knoxville, Tenn. (Medium Market) and WLHK/Indianapolis, Ind. (Large Market).  As previously announced, the Artist Humanitarian Award winner is Rascal Flatts.  CRS President Mike Culotta and Radio Ink’s Lois Chooljian presented the awards at 10:30 a.m., immediately following the CRS Keynote Address.

Small Market Winner: 106.9 KMOK/Lewiston, Idaho -
Lewiston’s KMOK was instrumental in dozens of local humanitarian efforts in 2011, including National Night Out Against Crime, Pet of the Week, Lewis Clark Animal Shelter’s Dog Swim, Coats for the Cold, Annual Life Safety Day, United Way Day of Caring, Relay for Life, Earth Day, Jackson Baldwin Foundation, Jog for Jugs, Wounded Warriors Project, Cruising to Clarkston and numerous others.

Medium Market Winner: 107.7 WIVK/Knoxville, Tenn. -
WIVK’s contributions to fundraising efforts helped raise a total of more than $12.9 million in 2011.  Campaigns included: the HonorAir Radiothon, Voices from the Front, Coats for the Cold, Stuff the Bus, a Susan G. Komen benefit concert and the Teddy Bear Round Up.  WIVK sponsored dozens of events, such as the “Real Steel” movie premiere, Buddy’s Race Against Cancer, Fantasy of Trees for Children’s Hospital, Great Rubber Duck Race for Boys & Girls’ Club, ADA Step Out Walk, Knoxville Zoo and more.

Large Market Winner: 97.1 WLHK/Indianapolis, Ind. -
Indianapolis’ HANK FM/97.1 continued its avid support for Habitat For Humanity in 2011, building a five bedroom house at the Indiana State Fair in just 15 days.  The station hosted a Santa’s Secret Star benefit concert for the Salvation Army during Christmas, debuted its Christmas Angel program, received national media attention for Cheri’s Chores, partnered with the Indianapolis Colts to host the Big Blue Drive-Through for tornado relief and was instrumental in efforts supporting the victims at the Indiana State Fair tragedy.

Rascal Flatts received the 2012 Artist Humanitarian award for their charitable contributions and humanitarian endeavors throughout their career.   In 2010, the group donated $3 million to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt’s Pediatric Surgery Center.  They currently serve as celebrity spokespersons for the national suicide prevention organization, The Jason Foundation, and have been members of the American Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet for the past seven years.

About the CRS Artist Humanitarian Award:
The CRB Artist Humanitarian Award was created in 1990 to honor those Country music artists who have exhibited exceptional humanitarian efforts during their career.  Past recipients of the annual award have included Trace Adkins, Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn, Garth Brooks, Charlie Daniels and Kenny Rogers, among others.

About the CRS Radio Humanitarian Awards:
The CRB Radio Humanitarian Awards are presented to full-time Country radio stations for notable public service initiatives that improve the quality of life for the communities they serve.  The annual awards are presented to stations in three categories: Large (markets 1-50), Medium (markets 51-130), and Small (markets 131+).

About Country Radio Seminar:
Country Radio Seminar is an annual convention designed to educate and promote the exchange of ideas and business practices in the Country music industry, with specific emphasis on issues relevant to Country radio.  CRS 2012 will be held Feb. 22-24, 2012, in downtown Nashville, Tenn., at the Nashville Convention Center.  Visit  www.CountryRadioSeminar.com for more information.  Country Radio Seminar is a property of Country Radio Broadcasters.

 

Pictured below, CRS 2012 Artist Humanitarian Award winners Rascal Flatts.  L to R:  RF’s Jay DeMarcus, RF manager Clarence Spalding, CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne, RF’s Gary LeVox, Radio Ink Magazine’s Lois Chooljian, CRS President Mike Culotta, RF’s Joe Don Rooney.  Photo: Bev Moser.

 

 

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CRS 2012 Research Study Expands Focus Beyond P1 Listeners

Study reminds Country radio to connect, understand non-P1 audience,

stresses importance of local DJs

(Nashville, Tenn. – Feb. 22, 2012)  Country Radio Seminar’s 2012 research study was delivered in front of a packed house at CRS 2012 on Wednesday, Feb. 22, providing a broader look into the attitudes and trends of Country radio fans beyond the core P1 listener.   

This year’s study compiled data from a national survey of more than 1,000 Country fans ages 18-54.  According to Edison Research, which conducted the study and presented the findings at CRS, 65 percent of Country fans qualified as “non-P1” listeners.  Edison Research also performed and included in-depth video interviews with fans as part of its presentation.

Among the study’s key findings were:

- Local, live DJs are instrumental in the difference between radio and other music outlets like Pandora or Spotify. 

- Both P1s and non-P1s are generally equally as enthusiastic about DJs and half of both groups say that DJs are a prime reason that AM/FM radio is better than internet radio.

- Non-P1s are more than twice as likely to have begun listening to Country music “in the last few years.”

 

- One in six non-P1s say that Country music from the 1960s and 70s is their favorite.

- Ninety percent of non-P1s feel that Country music makes a positive contribution to America.  Four in five say that Country lyrics often express how they feel.

- Non P1s are more likely to go to church on a weekly basis than P1 listeners.

- Eighty-six percent of non-P1s perceive that Country music is becoming more popular.

- Non-P1s are much more likely to be aware of Pandora, iHeart or Spotify and much less likely to listen frequently to the radio.

“Country music remains a very healthy format and is actually becoming more popular, but one of the main points that I think this year’s survey drives home is that Country radio could do a better job at understanding and identifying its non-P1 listeners,” says Edison Research Co-founder and President Larry Rosin. “While it is understandable that P1 listeners should be a priority, the importance of the other 65 percent or so of your total audience cannot be underestimated.  Our data also suggest that live, local DJs are one of the big advantages that radio has over internet and satellite outlets, and should be acknowledged as such.”

The full CRS 2012 Country Radio research study is now available online at: www.EdisonResearch.com.

Nashville Gears Up For CRS 2012 Feb. 22-24

Country Radio Seminar punctuates in-demand event with sold out Hall of Fame ceremony and New Faces show
 

(Nashville, Tenn. – Feb. 20, 2012)  CRS 2012 is set to officially kick off its three-day seminar on Wednesday, Feb. 22, at the Nashville Convention Center in downtown Nashville.

With overall attendance at CRS increasing each of the past two years, CRS 2012 looks to continue that trend with a cutting-edge agenda and a number of convenience upgrades and entertainment options available.  From an educational perspective, attendees can expect more than 30 panels and roundtable discussions, with dozens of industry-leading speakers and panelists, exhibits, in-depth research and endless networking opportunities with other Country radio professionals from around the country.

Entertainment and recreation options at this year’s seminar include the addition of more on-site showcases, after-hours events and special performances from some of the biggest stars in Country music.  For the second year in a row, the Country Radio Hall of Fame ceremony and the seminar-closing New Faces of Country Music Show each sold out in advance of CRS.

“We have worked hard over the past couple of years to keep our seminar affordable while delivering more bang for our attendees’ buck,” says CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne.  “I think people are going to be surprised at some of the unique destinations and events we are offering on-site at CRS 2012 and the new sponsors that have made many of those upgrades possible.  We are continuing to raise the bar at Country Radio Seminar, and without question, we have made great strides again this year in providing a total 360 experience for the thousands that attend this great event each and every year.”

A thumbnail summary of daily highlights, after-hours events and agenda items at CRS 2012 follows below.

Tuesday, Feb. 21:
CRS unofficially kicks off with the sold out Country Radio Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony at 6 p.m.  The 2012 inductees are Beverlee Brannigan, Ron Rogers and Rusty Walker in the Radio category and Moby, Eddie Stubbs and Bill Whyte in the On-Air category.  Glen Campbell is the Career Achievement Award recipient and Bob Kingsley is receiving the President’s Award.  Sony Music Nashville and Sea Gayle Records are presenting the inaugural “Official Country Radio Hall of Fame After Party” at 8:30 p.m. in the Renaissance Hotel.

Wednesday, Feb. 22:
CRS 2012 officially begins with the keynote address, delivered at 9 a.m. by MTV co-founder and Clear Channel exec Bob Pittman.  American Idol finalist Lauren Alaina will perform the national anthem.  Presentation of the Artist Humanitarian (Rascal Flatts) and Radio Humanitarian awards (winners TBA) follows.  Futurist David Houle will address attendees about trends affecting consumer behavior in his “FLOWS” panel, and the annual, expansive CRS research study is presented at 2:30 p.m. in conjunction with Edison Research.

This year’s UMG Nashville luncheon is held at the Ryman Auditorium, featuring a lineup including Laura Bell Bundy, Easton Corbin, Scotty McCreery, David Nail, Josh Turner, Lee Ann Womack and additional surprise guests.  The KCRS Live! showcase features artist/songwriters Jim Collins, Andy Gibson, Aaron Lewis and Bobby Pinson.  A full-band concert by Lady Antebellum is held Wednesday night at Municipal Auditorium, with complimentary transportation and special seating provided for CRS attendees.

Thursday, Feb. 23:
Thursday’s agenda topics include: diary methodology, PPM strategies, coaching air talent, evaluation and implementation of social media, case studies on brainstorming techniques, CMA’s “Year of Country Radio” presentation, a Country radio listener focus group, and the CRS 2012 research follow-up panel.

Iconic artist Alan Jackson performs at Thursday’s Capitol Nashville luncheon, and this year’s WCRS Live! lineup includes hit songwriters Matraca Berg, Natlie Hemby, Lori McKenna and Ashley Monroe.

Friday, Feb. 24:
Friday’s agenda is loaded with educational panels.  Topics include: mobile device usage, marketing case studies, multi-format programming, the Digital University roundtable discussions, radio technology in automobiles, unique branding and promotional relationships, national digital strategies, artist visit dos and don’ts, small market programming, building effective brands, “hit record” analysis and more.

Friday’s musical lineup features a special performance from Faith Hill at the noon Warner Music Nashville luncheon and the seminar-closing, sold out New Faces of Country Music Show® at 6:30 p.m.  The CRS 2012 New Faces performers are: Eli Young Band, Hunter Hayes, David Nail, Sunny Sweeney and Thompson Square.

CRS on-site services and conveniences include the debut of CRSnet, a free intranet service available for attendees to download panel and research materials, the CRS smartphone apps for Android, Blackberry and Apple products, free internet café and cell-phone charging station in the St. Jude Internet Cafe, complimentary coffee cart and the second floor networking lounge.  The CRS media room is open on the first floor for approved media and artists.

On-site and after-hours destinations include The CRS Badge Bar in the Renaissance Ballroom, Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley in the Belmont Room with performances from Rhett Akins, Casey Beathard, Jim Beavers, Corey Crowder, Tom Douglas, Marv Green, Ben Hayslip, David Lee, Wendell Mobley, Rivers Rutherford and Jeffrey Steele, Tenacity Records showcase with Bill Gentry and Darryl Worley, Black River Entertainment showcase with Sarah Darling, Due West, Craig Morgan and Glen Templeton and the New York Exchange Cadillac.  The Show Dog Universal bus and the Black River Mobile Cigar Lounge are located in front of the Convention Center on Commerce St.

CRS is welcoming a record-setting number of sponsors at CRS 2012, including: ACM, Arbitron, Black River Entertainment, BMI, Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40, Capitol/EMI Records, City National Bank, Compassion International, CMA, Country Aircheck, Cumulus Media Networks, Curb Records, Digital Rodeo, GAC, HRT Records, Live Nation, Lucchese Boots, MDA, New York Rock Exchange, Operation Troop Aid, Radio Ink, R&J Records, Sea Gayle Records, SESAC, Show Dog Universal, Sony Music Nashville, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Suntrust Bank, Tenacity Records, UMG Nashville, United Stations Radio Networks, Warm Blanket Orphan Care International, Warner Music Nashville and World Vision.

A detailed schedule with descriptions of all panels and events can be viewed at www.CRB.org or accessed via the CRS 2012 smartphone application, available here.  $499 walk-up registration is available, excluding admission to the sold-out New Faces of Country Music Show and Dinner.  Single-day admission passes (excluding admission to the Lady Antebellum concert and New Faces show) are available on-site for $150.  A $99 Unemployment Rate is also available.  For more information about the Unemployment Rate, contact Kristen McRary at (615) 327-4487 or Kristen@CRB.org.

Rascal Flatts To Receive CRS 2012 Artist Humanitarian Award

Rascal Flatts To Receive CRS 2012 Artist Humanitarian Award   (Nashville, Tenn. – Jan. 23, 2012)  Big Machine Records’ Rascal Flatts has been named the recipient of the CRS 2012 Artist Humanitarian Award, to be presented at Country Radio Seminar on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012. The multi-platinum selling trio of Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney are receiving the honor based on their charitable contributions and humanitarian endeavors throughout the band’s career.   In 2010, the group donated $3 million to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt’s Pediatric Surgery Center.  They currently serve as celebrity spokespersons for the national suicide prevention organization, The Jason Foundation, and have been members of the American Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet for the past seven years. According to CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne, “The board is very pleased to honor Rascal Flatts with the CRS Artist Humanitarian Award.  They join a long, distinguished list of celebrities who have received this prestigious award since it was instated in 1990.” Rascal Flatts will receive the CRS 2012 Artist Humanitarian Award at 10:30 a.m. in the Nashville Convention Center immediately following the seminar’s Keynote Address.  CRS 2012 is held Feb. 22-24, 2012, in downtown Nashville, Tenn.  $499 Regular Rate registration expires Friday, Jan. 27.  On-Site registration increases to $599 effective Jan. 28.  Visit www.CountryRadioSeminar.com to register today. About the CRS Artist Humanitarian Award:The CRS Artist Humanitarian Award was created in 1990 to honor those Country music artists who have exhibited exceptional humanitarian efforts during their career.  Past recipients of the annual award have included Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Trace Adkins, Randy Owen, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn, Reba, Vince Gill, Garth Brooks and Charlie Daniels, among others. For more information about Country Radio Seminar and the CRS awards, visit:www.CountryRadioSeminar.com. About Rascal Flatts:When Rascal Flatts debuted their first album on Big Machine Records, Nothing Like This, at No. 1 on the Country album sales chart, they became one of only four Country acts to debut six consecutive studio albums at No. 1.  Since their musical debut in 2000, Rascal Flatts has sold more than 20 million albums and 25 million digital downloads, delivering 13 No. 1 singles to the top of the charts.  In 2011, they were the most played band at Country radio and recently released the first single, “Banjo,” off a soon to be released project titled Changed, due out on April 3.  Rascal Flatts is the most awarded Country group of the past decade, with more than 40 trophies from the American Country Awards, Academy of Country Music, American Music Awards, Country Music Association, People’s Choice Awards and more.  As one of the most sought after touring acts, Rascal Flatts has sold more than 6 million concert tickets in their career.  They received the Make-A-Wish Shining Star Award in 2008 and the Nashville Symphony’s Harmony Award in 2007.  They were also recipients of the Recording Academy Honors in 2007.  For more information about Rascal Flatts, visit: www.RascalFlatts.com.

CRS Announces First Round of UMG Luncheon Performers, Prepares Debut of CRSnet Service

CRS Announces First Round of UMG Luncheon Performers, Prepares Debut of CRSnet Service
Lauren Alaina, Ashley Monroe also confirmed to perform at CRS on-site events 

 

(Nashville, Tenn. – Feb. 8, 2012)  Country Radio Seminar has confirmed its first round of UMG luncheon artists and added Lauren Alaina and Ashley Monroe to its already packed agenda of performers.

The first round of announced UMG luncheon artists are: Lauren Alaina, Laura Bell Bundy, Easton Corbin, Mallary Hope, Josh Kelley, Scotty McCreery, Randy Montana, Kip Moore, Kasey Musgraves, David Nail, Randy Rogers Band, Canaan Smith, Chris Stapleton, Josh Turner, Drake White and Lee Ann Womack.  The UMG luncheon is held at noon on Wednesday, Feb. 22, inside the Ryman Auditorium.  A to-go lunch will be provided in the Convention Center immediately prior to the event.  More UMG luncheon artists will be announced soon.

Former American Idol contestant Lauren Alaina will officially kick off CRS 2012 with a performance of the national anthem at the seminar’s opening ceremonies on Wednesday, Feb. 22, at 9 a.m.  She will be accompanied by the U.S. Marine color guard for the flag presentation.

Singer-songwriter and Pistol Annies member Ashley Monroe has been added to the WCRS Live! showcase lineup.  Monroe joins previously announced performers Matraca Berg, Natalie Hemby and Lori McKenna at the BMI and Country Aircheck-sponsored event on Thursday, Feb. 23, at 3:30 p.m.

CRSnet is a new, on-site intranet service debuting at CRS 2012.  Powered by Pro X Media, the service is free and available to anyone inside the Convention Center with a WiFi-enabled device (smartphone, laptop, Tablet, iPad, etc).  With one click, attendees may use CRSnet to directly download and stream a variety of materials from CRS sponsors and panelists at any time during the three-day seminar.

The on-site Badge Bar (formerly Connections Bar) has expanded inside the Renaissance Ballroom for CRS 2012.  Sponsored by Cumulus Media Networks, City National Bank and GAC, the Badge Bar offers attendees a relaxing atmosphere and the lowest drink prices available on-site at CRS 2012. 

CRS 2012 is held Feb. 22-24, 2012, at the Nashville Convention Center.  $499 Regular rate registration (admission to New Faces show excluded) remains available at www.CountryRadioSeminar.com.

About Country Radio Seminar:Country Radio Seminar is an annual convention designed to educate and promote the exchange of ideas and business practices in the Country music industry, with specific emphasis on issues relevant to Country radio.  CRS 2012 will be held Feb. 22-24, 2012, in downtown Nashville, Tenn., at the Nashville Convention Center.  Visit www.CountryRadioSeminar.com for more information.  Country Radio Seminar is a property of Country Radio Broadcasters.