World’s Largest Country Radio Event Packed with Talent, Education, and Networking Opportunities
Country Radio Seminar 2013 is set to kick off on Wednesday, Feb. 27th at the Nashville Convention Center.
This year’s event includes more than 20 panels, exhibits and educational presentations, as well as featured speakers and panelists from all areas of the radio and records industry.
Known as the biggest Country radio event in the world, the seminar continues to grow with a cutting edge agenda, with a number of networking opportunities and performances from some of the biggest stars in the format.
FOCUS caught up with Casey James at his show in Nashville – also watch for a full interview coming up at CRS 2013!
Watch out country music world: Casey James is ready to take you by storm. We caught up with Casey on his way through Nashville when he was performing at Exit/In, and we are already looking forward to next time!
After Corey Crowder opened the show with some great, high-energy country music, we witnessed the room fill to capacity waiting for the American Idol alum. As soon as he walked out, the room electrified (mainly with screaming girls) as he launched into his first song.
Casey made a name for himself on Idol with his sick guitar picking skills, as he was on the first season of the show to allow self-accompaniment. But you still haven’t seen anything until you’ve seen him live. Much like current superstars Keith Urban and Brad Paisley, he is his own lead guitarist. However, UNLIKE Keith, Brad, and a few others… Casey doesn’t have another band member on stage with lead capabilities. He has a rhythm/slide guitarist, a bass player and a keyboardist. Meaning those rocking riffs you hear in his music are all up to the man himself.
Casey opened the show with the song that also opens his album: “The Good Life,” a fun, up-tempo tune that planted a good foundation for his set. Another song that will probably be a staple to his show for a while – and should become a single – is “Drive,” a high-energy number that features Casey on a funky steel/electric guitar that allows him to really show off.
He also hit several slower songs such as “Love The Way You Miss Me” and of course his two singles, “Let’s Don’t Call It A Night” and his recent hit “Cryin’ On A Suitcase.”
With only one album to his name, this guy already has all the makings of a superstar. Not only can he play, he’s got a bluesy, country tone to his voice, perfect for crossover hits and the ability to sing just about anything. And yes… he has great hair.
You will start hearing more and more about Casey James in 2013; and watch for the big breakout to come within the next couple years.
Plus, stay tuned to FOCUS on the 615 for a full interview with Casey James coming up at CRS 2013!
Country Radio Seminar has announced the lineups for the UMG Nashville events at CRS 2013
Wednesday’s “Team UMG at the Ryman” luncheon will feature artists from the Universal Music Group roster. Artists set to perform include Billy Currington, Brothers Osborne, Chris Stapleton, Darius Rucker, David Nail, Dierks Bentley, Drake White, Eric Church, Eric Paslay, Josh Turner, Kacey Musgraves, Kelleigh Bannen, Lady Antebellum, Lauren Alaina, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Mickey Guyton, Randy Montana, Scotty McCreery and Vince Gill.
“Team UMG at the Ryman” will be held at noon on Wednesday, Feb. 27 inside the Ryman Auditorium. A box lunch will be provided inside the Convention Center prior to the show.
On Thursday, Feb. 28, the Capitol and MCA Records Luncheon will take place in the Convention Center’s Performance Hall. MCA’s Gary Allan will headline the show and Capitol’s Jon Pardi is scheduled to open.
Songwriters Continue To Increase Presence At Country Radio Seminar
For the second consecutive year, “Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley” will return with an all-star lineup of hit songwriters.
Rhett Atkins, Tom Douglas, Marv Green, Ben Hayslip, Natalie Hemby, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Wendell Mobley, Jeff Stevens and several surprise guests are set to perform at the event, which is presented by Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40 and co-sponsored by SunTrust Bank.
This year’s event will be held on Thursday night (Feb. 28) from 7 p.m. until midnight at the Renaissance Hotel’s Belmont Room. Food and beverages will be available. A CRS badge will be required for admittance.
Country superstar George Strait will be honored with the 2013 Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. Career Achievement Award at the Country Radio Hall of Fame Induction on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 6 p.m.
The CRB Achievement Award is presented to an individual artist or act that, through their creativity, vision, performance or leadership has made a significant contribution to the development and promotion of country music and country radio.
“George Strait has done a superb job promoting country music and country radio over the years. His dedication to the format and on-going contribution to the industry as a whole make him the perfect recipient for this award,” said Mike Culotta, CRS President.
Gill is set to host the special opry performance, and Radio Hall of Famer Bill Cody will be the announcer for the event, which is sponsored by Humana’s My Well-Being.
CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne states, “We are excited about the reaction to this event at the Seminar. Support from both the Radio and Records community has been overwhelming. It will certainly be one of the highlights of CRS this year”.
The event will be held in the Performance Hall of the Nashville Convention Center and open to CRS 2013 attendees. Register for CRS 2013 at www.CountryRadioSeminar.com. CRS attendees can visit www.opry.com/radio/CRS2013.html for all the details on the show. Plus, the first 50 CRS attendees to register through the special RSVP link on the website will receive two tickets to attend the Grand Ole Opry at the Opry House Sat., March 2.
Kip Moore is getting ready to hit the road with Brantley Gilbert on his Hell on Wheels Tour, which kicks off Thursday (January 31st) in Kansas City, Missouri. The Georgia native doesn’t exactly know how to describe his show to folks, except to say, “I feel like you’re definitely gonna sense the fact that all my heart and soul is in my performance, and beyond that I don’t really know what to tell you [what] to expect, but I’m gonna give everything I’ve got every single time.
” We definitely know at Kip’s show you will hear a couple of number-one songs (“Somethin’ ‘Bout a Truck,” “Beer Money”) and his latest single hitting the charts, “Hey Pretty Girl.”
CRS songwriter showcase sponsored by BMI and Country Aircheck
Country Radio Seminar is proud to announce songwriters The Warren Brothers (Brad and Brett) and Thomas Rhett as co-headliners of CRS 2013’s WCRS Live! songwriter showcase, which will take place Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013.
The event, WCRS Live!: “Brad, Brett & Thomas Rhett,” is sponsored by BMI and Country Aircheck, and will take place from 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. CT on the second floor of the Nashville Convention Center during Country Radio Seminar.
“Enter this showcase at your own risk…. these three BMI songwriters could possibly tear the house down,” commented Jody Williams, Vice President of Writer/Publisher at BMI. “Thomas Rhett’s rocket ship has already taken off. He’s going to be a big part of country radio’s future. And Brad and Brett Warren continue to write groundbreaking music for the format. BMI is very excited to represent these talented and entertaining hit songwriters. This year’s line-up at WCRS live should be a blast.”
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