CRS Preview: Schedule Highlights

Country Radio Seminar officially opens Wednesday, March 2, in downtown Nashville, but related events are getting started even earlier. CRS 2011 runs March 2-4 at the Nashville Convention Center. Here’s a quick look at the week’s itinerary:

Tuesday, March 1
MusicRow’s invitation-only CRS Meet & Greet and Country Breakout Awards, featuring performances by Colt Ford and Joanna Smith. The fun is 2:30-5 PM at Cadillac Ranch.

The Country Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony and dinner will honor inductees Dale Carter, Barry Kent and Lee Rogers (On-Air Personality), and Charlie Cook, Dene Hallam and Bill Payne (Radio). The Judds will receive the 2011 Career Achievement Award and Joe Galante will receive the President’s Award. Sold out.

Wednesday, March 2
Carrie Underwood officially opens CRS 2011 with a performance of the national anthem, followed by the keynote address from Scripps Networks CEO Ken Lowe. Wednesday’s key panels include a session on digital media, on-air interviews, and the “Show Me the Money” panel about music biz economics.

Wednesday’s performances include the UMG luncheon at the Ryman Auditorium, with 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, Lee Ann Womack and special surprise guests. Wednesday afternoon will be the KCRS Live! songwriter showcase featuring Aaron Lewis, LoCash Cowboys, Rivers Rutherford and Jeffrey Steele. Wednesday night Blake Shelton headlines the Music City Jam™.

Thursday, March 3
A sample of Thursday’s panels include: 90 Executable Ideas in 50 Minutes, From the Mouths of the Consumer (focus group), and the CRB/CMA research presentation about new media usage by country music consumers and industry professionals.

Performance events include the Sony Music Nashville luncheon featuring Ronnie Dunn and Joanna Smith. Then Dallas Davidson, Jerrod Niemann and Whitey Shafer headline the WCRS Live! songwriter showcase, and the Broadjam Acoustic Showcase features Mark Croft.

Friday, March 4
Friday offers attendees a variety of panels, including: Leadership Skills and Management Secrets, Video Saved the Radio Star, Concerts: Connect the Dots Between Ratings, Revenue and Promotions, and the popular Town Hall wrap-up panel.

Friday’s musical performances includes Luke Bryan at the Capitol Records Nashville luncheon, followed in the evening by the sold out New Faces of Country Music Show® with The Band Perry, Lee Brice, Jerrod Niemann, Steel Magnolia and Josh Thompson.

The Digital Rodeo “British Invasion” Show closes out CRS 2011 at Cadillac Ranch. Performers include Katie Armiger, Burns and Poe, Sarah Darling, Due West, Ashley Gearing, Josh Gracin, The Harters, Jacob Lyda, One Night Rodeo, Julie Roberts, Adam Tefteller, Tiffany, Bryan White, Mark Wills and more.

A detailed schedule can be viewed at www.CRB.org.