CRS 2024 Day Two: AI Town Hall, Research Presentation, Artist Interview & More

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Day two of Country Radio Seminar (CRS) took place Thursday (Feb. 29) at the Omni Nashville Hotel. Below are some of the highlights from yesterday’s programming.

AI Interactive Town Hall

Pictured (L-R): Buzz Knight, Zena Burns, Fred Jacobs, Mike McVay

As a follow up to last year’s CRS roundtable regarding artificial intelligence, day two kicked off with “AI Interactive Townhall: Reflecting on a Year of Growth and Learning and Looking Forward to What’s Ahead.” The panel included Founder and CEO of Buzz Knight Media Buzz Knight, Jacobs Media’s Fred Jacobs, President of McVay Media Mike McVay and Futuri’s Zena Burns.

Key themes of the panel included advancements in AI, lessons learned, industry adaptation, ethical considerations and regulations, and future prospects and learning needs.

 

CRS Research Presentation: On Air Personalities

“But They Have a Great Personality: On Air Talent And Their Roles on All Platforms” CRS Research Presentation

timThis year’s CRS research presentation, presented by Smith Geiger Group, was “But They Have a Great Personality: On Air Talent And Their Roles on All Platforms.” The study focused on the impact and influence of on-air personalities across terrestrial, satellite and digital service provider platforms.

Questions explored in the presentation included what audiences seek in their listening experiences, the distinctiveness of personalities as a competitive advantage, the relevance of “live and local” content and how personality-driven approaches resonate across different life forms in country music consumption.

 

‘The Artist Interview’ With Lainey Wilson & Trisha Yearwood

Lainey Wilson & Trisha Yearwood

Sponsored by ASCAP, this year’s artist interview featured a conversation between two-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Trisha Yearwood and Grammy winner Lainey Wilson.

 

CRS Honors Kane Brown & Tim Leary

Kane Brown receives CRB Artist Humanitarian Award

The annual CRS Honors returned this year with two presentations, hosted by CRB President Kurt Johnson and CRB Executive Director RJ Curtis. The first was to country star Kane Brown receiving the CRB Artist Humanitarian Award. WIRK/West Palm Beach morning personality Tim Leary was presented with the Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award. Both recipients were honored for their outstanding humanitarian and professional achievements.

The War & Treaty gave a stirring live performance to accompany the “In Memoriam” segment to honor industry colleagues who have passed. The session ended with the announcement of the 2024 Country Radio Hall of Fame inductees, including on-air personalities Cody Alan (SiriusXM) and the duo Pat & Tom (KNCI/Sacramento), alongside off-air luminaries Mike Moore (WKHX/Atlanta), Jim Robertson (retired, KIKK/Houston, WOGK/Gainesville/Ocala) and Meg Stevens (WUBL/Atlanta).

 

Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley With Emily Weisband, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban & More

Keith Urban

Established by the late Bob Kingsley, the Bob Kingsley Acoustic Alley spotlights Nashville’s top songwriters. Hosted by Fitz Country Top 40 Host Fitz and sponsored by Skyview Networks, the event featured three rounds of performers.

Round 1 featured Rhett Akins, Emily Weisband and JT Harding. Round 2 saw John Morgan, Scooter Carusoe, Brent Anderson and Jason Aldean. The event ended with a performance by country superstar Keith Urban. Radio Ink also revealed their annual Top 30 Country PDs.

 

BBR Music Group Decades Party

HunterGirl

Day two ended with the BBR Music Group Decades Party. The slate of star-studded performances featured hits from the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and beyond. Hosted by Blair Garner, the night was a true celebration of the music that defines a generation.

Performers included Jason Aldean, John Morgan, HunterGirl, Blanco Brown, Brooke Eden, The Frontmen, Frank Ray and more.

Madison Hahnen
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