CRS News: UMG Luncheon, Digital Rodeo Party

CRS 2011 will be held March 2-4, 2011, at the Nashville Convention Center.

>>For the second year in a row, Universal Music Group Nashville is hosting a lunchtime show for CRS attendees at the Ryman Auditorium.

The event on Wed., March 2, 2011, will feature Gary Allan, Laura Bell Bundy, Hayes Carll, Coldwater Jane, Easton Corbin, Billy Currington, Dani Flowers, Vince Gill, Mallary Hope, Jamey Johnson, Josh Kelley, Randy Montana, Kip Moore, David Nail, Randy Rogers Band, Ashton Shepherd, Canaan Smith, Sugarland, Josh Turner and Lee Ann Womack, as well as special guests.

The UMG Nashville luncheon kicks off at 12:30 p.m. with a “to-go” barbecue lunch served at the Convention Center.

“When we planned the UMG CRS show last year, we had no idea how well it would be received,” says UMG Sr. VP Promotion and host of last year’s event, Royce Risser. “Each artist performed one acoustic song on the historic stage of the Ryman, creating a number of magical moments that people still talk about a year later.”

“The feedback from both attendees and our artists was overwhelming and seems to indicate that this is the start of a new marquee event at CRS,” continues Risser. “Unfortunately, Luke Lewis chose the same host as last year. Sorry about that.”

>>Digital Rodeo will host the Country Radio Seminar wrap-up event on Friday, March 4 at Cadillac Ranch. The show typically features about two-dozen Country artists performing material from a different genre or theme—this year’s focus is the British Invasion.

For the third year in a row, the social networking and Country lifestyle site DigitalRodeo.com is partnering with Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. to sponsor the event. It kicks off at 10:30 p.m. CST or immediately following the CRS New Faces of Country Music® Show and Dinner.

The line-up for CRS luncheons sponsored by Sony Music Nashville and Capitol Nashville will be announced this week.

Only credentialed CRS attendees are permitted to attend these events.

And don’t forget about MusicRow’s invitation-only CRS party featuring Colt Ford and Joanna Smith on Tues., March 1.

A reduced $399 Early Bird CRS registration rate is in effect through Friday, Feb. 18. The On-Site rate increases to $499 on Feb. 19. Contact the Country Radio Broadcasters at (615) 327-4487 or at www.CRB.org for registration materials.