Ronnie Dunn to Headline Sony Music Nashville Luncheon at CRS 2011

Feb 2, 2011 Ronnie Dunn to Headline Sony Music Nashville Luncheon at CRS 2011

Ronnie Dunn to Headline Sony Music Nashville Luncheon at CRS 2011 Joanna Smith also slated to perform (Nashville, TN. – Feb. 2, 2011)  Arista Nashville’s Ronnie Dunn is confirmed to headline the Sony Music Nashville luncheon at CRS 2011.  This year, CRS will be held March 2-4, with the Sony Music Nashville luncheon taking place Thursday, March 3, from 12:30 p.m. – 2:20 p.m. in the CMA Performance Hall inside the Nashville Convention Center. “We’re so proud to have Ronnie Dunn headlining our CRS luncheon,” remarked Sony Music Nashville Chairman and CEO, Gary Overton.  “He’s one of the finest writers and vocalists we have in the format, and he’ll be previewing some amazing new music for everyone to hear.” Also performing at the luncheon is Columbia Nashville newcomer Joanna Smith. “Joanna has a voice and a personality that radiate star quality,” Overton continued.  “She’s one of our bright young talents, and we’re thrilled to have her open our show.” A reduced $399 Early Bird registration rate for CRS 2011 remains in effect through Friday, Feb. 18.  The On-Site rate increases to $499 on Feb. 19.  For more information on CRS 2011 events, agenda items and panels, visit www.CRB.org.  CRS 2011 is March 2-4, 2011, in downtown Nashville, Tenn. About Ronnie Dunn: One of the most acclaimed voices in Country music, Ronnie Dunn exploded across the airwaves this week with his stirring new single, “Bleed Red.”  The song shipped to Country radio this past Sunday and immediately emerged as the most-added new single of the week.  “Bleed Red” is the first music from Dunn’s debut solo album, slated for release later this year.  Dunn will make his first televised performance of the song on The 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 3rd.  Produced by Dunn, “Bleed Red” marks the beginning of a new chapter in Dunn’s career.  As one half of Brooks & Dunn, the most successful duo in Country music history, Dunn helped define the Country landscape over the past 20 years with 23 #1 singles and more than 30 million albums sold.  The digital single for “Bleed Red” will release February 8.  Keep up with Ronnie and listen to the single online now at www.RonnieDunn.com. About Joanna Smith: Joanna Smith grew up in the small Georgia farm community of Crestview, Unincorporated.  She knew she was destined to sing Country music when at age five she told a judge at a talent contest, “I am already a Country music singer, but I don’t get to get onstage much.”  Smith now gets to take the stage often and honed her live skills with a 5 year stint at the famous Tootsies Orchid Lounge in downtown Nashville. She signed with Columbia Nashville and her single "Georgia Mud" is set to climb the country charts.  She was recently named one of Billboard Magazine’s “Artists To Watch In 2011,” and one of the “New Faces On The Music Scene” by Variety Magazine. 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.  CRS 2011 will be held March 2-4, 2011, in Nashville, Tenn.  Limited time, $399 registration (excluding a ticket to the recently sold out New Faces Show) is available through Feb. 18 at www.CRB.org or by contacting the Country Radio Broadcasters at (615) 327-4487.

Dierks Bentley to Perform at 2010 Country Music DJ and Radio Hall of Fame Induction

Feb 25, 2010 Dierks Bentley to Perform at 2010 Country Music DJ and Radio Hall of Fame Induction

Performance to honor Brooks & Dunn Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. has announced Dierks Bentley will perform at the 2010 Country Music DJ and Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at 6 p.m. in the Nashville Convention Center. Bentley will perform an acoustic tribute to Brooks & Dunn, who will receive CRB’s Career Achievement Award at the ceremony and dinner held inside the Renaissance Ballroom.  The legendary duo plan to retire after their “Last Rodeo” tour ends in August 2010. A longtime fan of Brooks & Dunn, Bentley traveled Down Under to tour with the pair in May 2009 on their Australian tour.  On the closing night of their tour in Sydney, both Brooks & Dunn and Bentley were awarded the CMA’s International Artist Achievement Award for their contributions to Country music outside the United States. “Kix and Ronnie are the original modern day honkytonkers.  A lot of acts playing down on Lower Broadway try to emulate those guys,” said Bentley. “When we toured together, I watched their show every night from side-stage in total awe of the number of hits they’ve had and what they’ve built over the last few decades.  They’ve done it all.  I still can’t believe they’re about to retire.  In true B&D fashion, I have no doubt they’ll go out in a BIG way and leave us wanting more.  I’m honored the CRB asked me to help recognize them and their huge contribution to our format.” Adds R.J. Curtis, Chairman of the Country Music DJ and Radio Hall of Fame, “Dierks Bentley is one of Country’s brightest young stars, and an artist that certainly appreciates the legacy that Brooks & Dunn has left for others to follow.  We expect Dierks to give an entertaining and fitting performance as we honor Brooks & Dunn with our Career Achievement Award.” Bill Bailey, Laurie DeYoung and Rudy Fernandez are this year’s 2010 Country Music DJ inductees, while Cy Blumenthal, Dan Halyburton and Michael Hammond will be inducted into the Country Music Radio Hall of Fame.  Charlie Cook will receive the CRB President’s Award. Ticket prices for the Hall of Fame ceremony are $90 for CRS registrants.  Non-registrant advance tickets are $100, and the on-site rate is $125.  Tickets are on sale now at www.CRB.org. The Country Music DJ Hall of Fame (founded in 1974) is dedicated to the recognition of those individuals who have made significant contributions to the Country radio industry over a 20-year period.  Induction into the Country Music Radio Hall of Fame (founded in 2000) follows the same 20-year criteria. Tickets are available for invited guests of inductees, sponsors and Country Radio Seminar registrants.  Contact the CRB office at 615-327-4487 for updated ticket information and availability. 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.

Brooks & Dunn and Charlie Cook to be Honored at Country Music DJ and Radio Hall of Fame Event

Jan 4, 2010 Brooks & Dunn and Charlie Cook to be Honored at Country Music DJ and Radio Hall of Fame Event

Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc.® has announced Brooks & Dunn as this year’s CRB Career Achievement Award winner and Charlie Cook as the CRB President’s Award winner. Both awards will be presented at the Country Music DJ and Radio Hall of Fame Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010, at the Renaissance Ballroom in downtown Nashville.  The event serves as the unofficial kick-off to Country Radio Seminar each year. The Career Achievement Award is presented to an individual artist or act that has made a significant contribution to the development and promotion of Country music and Country radio through their creativity, vision, performance or leadership. “Brooks & Dunn has spent the last 20 years giving Country fans and Country radio amazing music and incredible live shows,” says CRB President Becky Brenner.  “They have been terrific ambassadors for Country music worldwide.  We thank them for allowing us to present this Career Achievement Award during the year of their ‘Last Rodeo.’” The President's Award is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the marketing, production, growth and development of the Country Radio Seminar and the multiple services that Country Radio Broadcasters provides to the Country radio and music communities. “Charlie Cook’s creativity and passion for Country radio and Country music have helped to generate success for many radio stations and organizations in our industry, such as the CRB, CMA and the ACM,” said Brenner.  “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to honor this great man, and it is only fitting that we recognize these contributions with our President’s Award.” Additional inductees honored at this year’s ceremony include Bill Bailey, Laurie DeYoung and Rudy Fernandez (Country Music DJ Hall of Fame) and Cy Blumenthal, Dan Halyburton and Michael Hammond (Country Music Radio Hall of Fame). Tickets to the Country Music DJ and Radio Hall of Fame Dinner and Awards Ceremony are $90 with CRS registration.  Single tickets may be purchased for $100.  Please contact the Country Radio Broadcasters at 615-327-4487 or visit www.CRB.org to purchase tickets. About Charlie Cook: Charlie Cook’s radio career began at WMBN in Michigan in 1970.  His first position in Country radio came in 1972 as Program Director at WSDS in Ypsilanti, Mich.  Subsequent stops included Denver, Colo. (KLAK), Wheeling, W.Va (WWVA), New York (WHN), Miami, Fla. (WGBS) and Los Angeles (KHJ and KLAC).  Cook received Billboard’s Country Personality of the Year award in 1977 for his work at WWVA. In 1984, Cook began a 14-year tenure with McVay Media, where he assumed the role of Junior Partner.  In 1996, he joined WW1 and for the next 10 years worked at Westwood One as GM and VP of Programming of the Culver City and Valencia, Calif. offices.   After a stint with Cumulus in Atlanta, Ga., Cook returned to McVay Media in 2008.  While consulting for Go Country (KKGO) in Los Angeles, he was appointed Sr. Manager Country Programming along with his McVay duties. Cook has served as CRS Agenda Chairman and CRB President during his 20+ years as a CRB board member.  He currently serves on the Board of Directors at both the CMA and ACM and has served as Chairman of the Board and President of the ACM.  He is also on the Los Angeles branch of the Board of Directors for the TJ Martell Foundation. About Brooks & Dunn: Brooks & Dunn debuted on the Country charts in 1991 with the single “Brand New Man.”  Over the next 20 years, their career would include chart-toppers such as “Neon Moon,” “My Next Broken Heart,” “Husbands and Wives,” “Ain’t Nothing ‘Bout You,” “Only in America” and “Red Dirt Road.”  The duo has charted more than 50 singles, released 10 studio albums, two greatest hits collections and a Christmas album.  Two of their 23 No. 1 hits, “My Maria” and “Ain’t Nothing ‘Bout You,” were named Billboard’s No. 1 Country Single of the Year in 1996 and 2001, respectively. Brooks & Dunn has sold more than 30 million albums and won 80 major industry awards in their career.  Among those are 19 Country Music Association awards, including Entertainer of the Year in 1996.  They have won CMA’s Vocal Duo honor every year from 1992-2006, except for 2000.  Their hit, “Believe,” won Single and Video of the Year in 2006.  They have collected five American Music Awards for Favorite Country Band, Duo or Group and two Grammys for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for “My Maria” and “Hard Workin’ Man.”  They are the most awarded of any act in the history of the Academy of Country Music, capturing 26 ACM trophies in all, including three Entertainer of the Year titles. With the release of 2009’s  #1s …and then some, Brooks & Dunn announced their retirement as a duo following their 2010 tour, dubbed “The Last Rodeo.” 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.  Regular Rate registration expires Jan. 31 and is currently available online at www.CRB.org or by contacting the Country Radio Broadcasters at 615-327-4487. Follow CRS 2010 on Facebook, or on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/OfficialCRS. 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.

BROOKS & DUNN AND TERRY MCBRIDE RECEIVE CRB, INC.® APPRECIATION CERTIFICATES FOR "PLAY SOMETHING COUNTRY"

Sep 21, 2005 BROOKS & DUNN AND TERRY MCBRIDE RECEIVE CRB, INC.® APPRECIATION CERTIFICATES FOR "PLAY SOMETHING COUNTRY"

Country Radio Broadcasters presented BMI songwriters Terry McBride and Ronnie Dunn as well as Kix Brooks with certificates of appreciation for “Play Something Country” on behalf of Country radio at BMI’s #1 party on Wednesday, September 21. The Country Radio Broadcasters established this certificate of appreciation to be presented to songwriters and artists in recognition of songs which have helped to expand the audience for Country music.