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