RJ Curtis Named Executive Director For Country Radio Seminar

RJ Curtis

The Country Radio Broadcasters/Country Radio Seminar has announced long-time radio and industry veteran, RJ Curtis as the incoming Executive Director of the non-profit organization. Curtis, who currently serves as the Nashville Editor for All Access Music Group, will start his new position on Nov. 12 and until then, can then be reached at [email protected].

Curtis fills the position most recently held by Bill Mayne, who has served as Executive Director of the organization for nearly a decade. This past April, Mayne announced that he would be leaving his position following the 50th Anniversary year of Country Radio Seminar. Curtis will work alongside Mayne through the end of his term, which is May 2019.

Curtis commented, “CRS has been an important part of my professional life for 35 years, never ceasing to challenge, reward, and re-ignite my zeal for our format and its many stakeholders. At my very core, I’m a radio guy and will always think like one, but I’ve also been fortunate to work in other segments of this industry, gaining additional perspective and learning a ton. Two decades on the CRB Board encompassed those various experiences; together, all have more than adequately prepped me for what I consider the opportunity of a lifetime at CRB. Concurrently, I’ll have the honor of working with Bill Mayne until his triumphant sign-off in May. He’s been a mentor, brother, and friend to me since 1983, and – fun fact – brought me to my first CRS in 1985, while serving as my PD at KZLA/Los Angeles. Following his legendary stewardship of CRB is a daunting task, and a responsibility I’ll take seriously.”

CRB Board President, Kurt Johnson, said, “Among some great candidates for this role, RJ stood out. His unequalled experience and passion for Country Radio, Country music, and CRB made him the right person at the right time. We’re beyond excited to have him lead CRS into its sixth decade.”

Curtis has served on the CRS Board of Directors since 1999, with a deep involvement in CRS leadership for 19 of those 20 years. He’s a longtime member of the CRS Executive Committee and a past CRS Board President (2004-2007). Since 2009, Curtis has been the organization’s Vice-President, and Chairman of the Country Radio Hall Of Fame, administered by CRS.

For the past 12 years, Curtis has been working on the trade publication sector of the music business as a journalist, providing news, insight, and perspective on country radio and its evolution. Since 2013, he’s been the Nashville Editor for the All Access Music Group; previously, Curtis was VP/Country for Country Aircheck, and Country Editor for the legendary Radio & Records Magazine. His professional diversity includes experience on the label side with Arista Nashville, handling Dir./Midwest Promotion responsibilities.

Curtis’ core background is radio. Curtis launched his broadcast journey fresh out of high school and spent 30 years in the business, 27 exclusive to Country radio and a combined 17 years in three different decades at Country KZLA/Los Angeles. His tenure there included every aspect of programming and management, including weekends, mornings, plus APD/MD, PD and OM responsibilities.

In the intervening years away from Los Angeles, Curtis oversaw two additional radio brands as PD and OM of KNIX/Phoenix and KCYY/San Antonio, respectively. His diverse radio background includes national syndication, too, as OM for the Blair Garner-hosted After Midnite, and creator of several long-form programs for Premiere Radio.

During his nearly 40 years in Country music, Curtis has volunteered his service to the industry as a member of the CMA, ACM, and St. Jude Children’s Hospital Radio Advisory Boards, in addition to his involvement with Country Radio Seminar.

The 50th Anniversary Country Radio Seminar will be held February 13-15, 2019 at the Omni Nashville Hotel.

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Jessica Nicholson

Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at [email protected].

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