50 years!!! It has been 50 years since Country Radio Seminar (known to industry reps simply as CRS) planted roots in the little ole’ music town of Nashville, Tennessee. Started by a group of industry professionals, including the Mayor of Music Row himself, Charlie Monk, CRS has always been about the relationship between the artists, their teams, and radio and media affiliates from all around the world. Not only is it one of the most notable industry networking events all year, but it’s one of the most educational. For three days every February, the industry elite descend upon Music City for classes, mentoring sessions, keynote speakers, panels, and presentations. And then of course, we have THE SHOWCASES! The New Faces of Country Music Class of 2019 lineup was announced back in December and is the last and most anticipated event of the entire three day hang. Powered by Live Nation, this year’s stellar cast spotlights Jimmie Allen, Russell Dickerson, Lindsay Ell, LANCO, and Dylan Scott. The only downfall? It sells out quickly and is almost impossible to get into. But not to worry! We have plenty of other options in store that is sure to turn heads and garner new fans! Labels, management teams, and publicists spend months prepping their lineup to deliver new, radio worthy music, whether it’s in a ballroom at the Omni over lunch or down at a Broadway bar. And rest assured, The Country Note will be there to bring you as much of it as we can. Most of our day is spent in the media room interviewing legends and rising new artists so be sure and follow our socials Wed Feb 13th-Fri Feb 15th. And if you’re in the music industry, start marking this event on your calendar and attending it every year! It’s the kickoff to everything else! For those coming this year (and in years to come), we have decided to GIVE YOU THE MUST DO EVENTS OF #CRS50!
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Label showcases/lunches
Everyday there is a major label showcase with major artist power! Warner Wednesday, UMG Thursday, and Big Machine Friday all produce their longtime and brand new artists with brand new songs, ready for radio! And because nobody wants to hear a stomach growl during a performance, they feed you–so come hungry! Here’s the breakdown:
- Warner-Wed Feb 13-Broadway Ballroom @ Omni, 12-1:150
Roster: Blake Shelton, Cole Swindell, Ashley McBryde, Chris Janson, Morgan Evans, Cody Johnson, etc
- UMG-Thurs Feb 14-Ryman (boxed lunches), 11:30-1:50
Roster: Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Jordan Davis, Vince Gill, Darius Rucker, Little Big Town, Maddie and Tae, Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban, etc.
- Big Machine-Fri Feb 15-Broadway Ballroom @Omni, 12-1:50
Roster: Rascal Flatts, Brantley Gilbert, Lauren Jenkins, Riley Green, Noah Schnacky
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Seeing Garth Double Time
Garth Brooks has been an avid participant of CRS the last few years, and this year, badge holders get to see him twice! On Wednesday, Feb 13, Garth will recreate his one-man show at the Bridgestone, immediately following the Amazon Heat show down at the Omni which should finish around 8 pm. On Thursday, Feb 14 at 10 am, Garth will sit down for a special Q&A at the Omni with Steve Broom, VP of Amazon Music (Stay tuned for room listing)! And last year, he made his way up to Legends on Broadway, where he did a 3 hour pop up show. . . . so keep those eyes on the lookout for THE GOAT. . . he might just be standing behind you and nobody gives bear hugs like G! For more info, check out the press release here.
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Night Shows!
Everybody knows in Music City that the real party starts when the sun goes down! And this year, Amazon is bringing the heat on the first night with Amazon Heat in the Broadway Ballroom at the Omni. Starting at 6 on Wednesday Feb 13, this star studded concert is for badge holders and will feature performances from Zac Brown Band, Tenille Townes, Adam Hambrick, Hardy, and King Calaway. Thursday night, 90s country is swooping in just in time for Valentines Day with Walker Hayes and newcomer Brandon Ratcliff. Attendees can enjoy a private cocktail reception with complimentary access to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum from 5-7pm. The reception will be held in the Event Hall, where reps will also share info about the museum’s current exhibits. (Side note: Credentialed CRS registrants also receive complimentary admission to tour the museum Wed Feb 13 from 9am to 3 pm). After 90s country wraps up, head over to the Legends Ballroom at the Omni from 7-midnight for Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley. One of the most anticipated events of the year, Kingsley’s time slot features some of Nashville’s biggest songwriters. Rhett Akins, Chris DeStefano, Luke Laird, Lee Thomas Miller, Lori McKenna are among those performing their biggest hits. And if you have yet to catch a Song Suffragette show in town, Thursday Feb 14 is your chance over at the Bell Tower from 7-10. Radio Disney Country will host the “Let the Girls Play” pop up show hosted by Savannah Keyes and Kalie Shorr, and featuring Cassadee Pope, Runaway June, Rachel Wammack, and more! If you’re still in town Friday night, Feb 15, and are not attending the New Faces show, head over to the Listening Room Café for Cassadee Pope and Friends, a special benefit concert for the niece and nephew of Kalie Shorr, who recently lost her sister unexpectedly. Tickets available at www.listeningroomcafe.com
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Showcases at Broadway Bars
Lunches are not the only time you can hear great artists and the Omni is not the only place! This takes a little more digging on your part because there is so much happening, but every day and every night, you can find Nashville’s best and brightest playing the bars of Broadway! FGL House, The Valentine, and Redneck Riviera are just a few of the bars spotlighting new talent during the 3 day extravaganza!!! And the good news is you don’t have to have a badge for all of those as a lot of them are free and open to the public!
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Suite Performances
And if you want to hear great talent without making the trek up to Broadway, you can stay right down at the Omni and check out the many suite performances going on throughout the three day radio extravaganza. A number of publicists, management companies, and labels rent out suites for the week filled with finger foods, swag, drinks (alcoholic and non alcoholic), one on one time with their artist, and MUSIC of course! Again, this can be tricky as they happen at all different times and you must have a contact upstairs with access to the elevator. Since it is a hotel and people are staying there, security is important so just make sure someone is available to swipe you up with a card to get to whatever floor you need to go too!
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Mentor Breakfasts
Six breakfasts in three days!!! Six chances to not only eat delicious food before starting your day, but each breakfast has a different subject highlighted for your education! They take place in the Cumberland Rooms at the Omni on Thursday and Friday mornings , with three simultaneously happening each morning. Thursday you can choose between Digital Partnership, Programming Mentoring, and Sales Mentoring between the times of 8 and 8:50. Friday, you can go to Digital and Tech, Women’s Mentoring, or the Label Mentoring from 7:30-8:50. For a complete rundown, check out the info here.
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Jason Aldean: “Overcoming Obstacles”
Garth is not the only big name to walk the halls of the Omni during CRS. Jason Aldean performed at the BBR showcase last year before headlining the Amazon show (in which he brought Garth out as a guest), and this year, he serves as the CRS 2019 Featured Speaker. Friday Feb 15 at 3 pm, spend an hour with Aldean at the Omni as he talks in detail about the highs and lows of his impressive career and what it takes to persevere during the hard times.
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Workshops
CRS is about education and the new trends happening in country radio. . . . it wouldn’t be CRS without the workshops!!! And badge holders have plenty to choose from! Learn about Music Scheduling, Voice and Talent Coaching, Cracking the Code to Digital Revenue, and Maximizing Grassroots Marketing Strategies, all taught by the industry’s best! You can check out the schedule here and also, by downloading the CRS app!
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Barlines Networking Time!
Ask anybody their favorite part about CRS and they’ll probably tell you—-it’s running into old friends and meeting new connections! There are two pieces that you need to know about: Barlines, located inside the Omni, and the Omni lobby. You will see everyone! It’s one big class reunion! Not to mention, Barlines has great food and drinks. . . . and live music of course. You might discover your new favorite act right there on that Barlines stage while eating your quesadilla! And the lobby is full of people all the time—artists, managers, producers, radio personalities, production directors, publicists. It is literally the who’s who of country music world so make sure you are seen and seeing!
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2nd floor Refreshments and Vendors
Also, CRS can be an exhilarating three days so make sure you are staying hydrated and energized. The 2nd floor is usually great about having water and coffee stations and juice samples from one of the local juice companies. You can also start your morning off downstairs in Bongo Java with a coffee, piece of fruit, or protein bar.
To see who we run into this time, follow along on @thecountrynote socials! And if you are going to be there, come say hey! We would love to see you! Congrats CRS on 50 years!