Dan + Shay, Brett Eldredge, More Entertain for CRS Warner Music Nashville Lunch Showcase
Warner Music Nashville’s Kristen Williams
Warner Music Nashville artists Brett Eldredge, Cole Swindell, Drew Parker, Ian Munsick, Michael Ray, Robyn Ottolini, and Shy Carter brought country radio some tunes at the virtual CRS luncheon showcase today (Feb. 17).
WMN’s SVP/Radio & Streaming Kristen Williams kicked off the showcase, welcoming everyone to the “Warner Music Nashville house.” The rest of the radio and streaming staff took viewers on a tour of the house, with each “room” revealing another WMN artist.
Tom Martens, WMN’s VP Radio & Streaming, introduced the first performance, one from Brett Eldredge. “I hope wherever this song finds you today, it finds you with a smile on your face,” Eldredge said before playing his new song “Good Day,” which impacts radio on March 1. With this song he introduced a new mission, the #GoodDayMovement that promotes kindness. He started the initiative off by donating full registrations to the entire week-long virtual event to a group of deserving radio partners who recently became unemployed.
Brett Eldredge
The windy breezeway with white curtains flowing in the breeze complimented Eldredge’s rich voice on the bright song, which he wrote with Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk.
WMN’s Justin Newell introduced the label group’s newest signing, Drew Parker, next. A cowboy hat-clad Parker sang his “While You’re Gone” by the staircase. The traditional-sounding country song has quickly become a fan favorite and gained industry support as a SiriusXM The Highway’s Highway Find.
Chad Schultz, WMN Vice President of Radio and Streaming, Marketing, introduced Cole Swindell next. From a library, Swindell sang his latest release, “Single Saturday Night.” The song is the follow-up to his No. 1 single “Love You Too Late,” and is the hitmaker’s 11th career single.
Cole Swindell
Next, Anna Cage (WMN National Director, Radio & Streaming) was on hand to introduce Robyn Ottolini, who performed from a vibey garage. Ottolini offered her TikTok viral sensation, “F-150,” that helped her land a deal with Warner in October of last year. The track impacted country radio yesterday (Feb. 15), and has garnered over 16 million streams globally.
Michael Ray was up next, introduced by WMN National Director, Radio & Streaming James Marsh. Ray played his steamy breakup song, “Whiskey And Rain,” wearing a leather jacket to further personify the moody song. Currently Top 50 and climbing on the Mediabase and Billboard country charts, “Whiskey And Rain,” written by Jesse Frasure and Josh Thompson, has been streamed over 10 million times since its fall release.
WMN Regional Chris Fabiani introduced the next act, Ian Munsick, saying he’s “bringing the west to the rest.” A smiling Munsick, clothed in traditional western garb, performed his debut single “Long Haul,” with a fiddle accompaniment. The tune is part of his debut album Coyote Cry, due out Feb. 26.
National Directory, Radio & Streaming Michael Chase then introduced Shy Carter, who just seemed to be in the next room. The ever-charismatic Carter performed his debut single, “Good Love.” The Platinum-selling, Grammy-nominated songwriter played the keys on his sunny artist debut.
Tom Martens reappeared to introduce WMN hitmakers, Dan + Shay. The duo sang their recent hit “I Should Probably Go To Bed” outside by a pool. Shay’s clear, gorgeous voice shined against Dan’s harmonies and acoustic guitar accompaniment.
Dan + Shay
The duo then performed their new song “Glad You Exist,” which is most added at country radio this week for the second consecutive week.
To end the showcase, Warner Music Nashville Chairman & CEO John Esposito appeared on Shay’s phone. “Greetings from Nantucket,” Esposito said. “I know we’re all coming from everywhere around the world but I wish I was in that big ballroom with you.”
The label head closed with a statement that WMN’s mission is to focus and prioritize even more on bringing radio program directors “the best of the best” from the Warner Music Nashville roster.
Warner Music Nashville Chairman & CEO John Esposito
