The 2012 Country Radio Seminar kicks off in Nashville tomorrow. The annual gathering of Country Program Directors and Country Music artists is three days filled with speakers, panels and performances in a casual setting where it's not uncommon to see some of country music biggest stars wandering the convention center shooting the breeze with those that spin their songs. CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne is on the cover of the latest issue of Radio Ink magazine. Mayne has been the Executive Director since April 1st 2010. And he told us the show that begins tomorrow should be the best ever. Today, he explains why.
"I think it's going to be the best one ever because we are now three years into our innovation and change. A lot of the elements have come together. From a content standpoint we are going to have some great research presentations done. We commissioned Edison Research to do a nationwide study and we are very excited about providing that information. The research we provide at CRS has always been the benchmark, especially in a marketplace where individuals might not have the budgets to do their own research. I am also very excited about the people that we bring to share a new perspective. Bob Pittman is going to be our keynote this year. We are ecstatic about having Bob keynote."
Mayne says the follow-up to Pittman is futurist David Houle. "He is an amazing guy from a perspective standpoint. I think he is going to challenge people to think about the future. We have a number of panels dedicated to social media and technology. We have one panel in particular that I am very excited about called "Digital Dashboard" that is going to be taking an in depth look with very learned people in the field about technology in automobiles, especially with respect to communication and music. There is a lot on the table this year as far as perspective and new ideas and hearing from some new voices. That is why I think its going to be the best ever...in addition to a tremendous amount of great new talent that people are going to see, and see in some different configurations that we are providing this year."
Mayne says attendees will also be part of something new this year. "On Wednesday night, Lady Antebellum is going to be doing a public show here in Nashville. Every attendee from CRS will be attending that show and sitting in a special section. It will be Lady A with Darius Rucker and Thompson Square.
Also at CRS, in conjunction with SONY Radio Ink will be presenting plaques to the 2011 Best Country Program Directors in America. To subscribe to Radio Ink in time to receive the Bill Mayne CRS issue, GO HERE
Here is a rundown of the entire CRS agenda
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 caf? 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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