CRS 2025 Day Three: AI Discussions, Big Machine Label Group Luncheon, New Faces & More

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Country Radio Seminar wrapped up its 2025 event on Friday (Feb. 21) at the Omni Nashville Hotel. Below are some of the highlights from the last day of programming.

Networking Kicked Off The Morning

Photo: Courtesy of CRS

The annual Women’s Networking Breakfast kicked off the final day, giving attendees a chance to network across all sectors of the industry. Those in attendance included KFRG/KKWF’s Heather Froglear, 94.9 The Bull’s Angie Ward, Triple Tigers Records Raffaella Braun, Stephanie Hagerty, UMG Nashville’s Miranda McDonald, Katie Neal, WFMS’ Brooks O’Brian, BMG Nashville’s JoJamie Hahr, Audacy’s Marci Braun, iHeartMedia’s Ashley Wilson, Holly Hutton, Audacy Houston’s Melissa Chase, Casey Carter, Lauren Thomas, KCYY’s Christi Brooks, Bev Rainey, WHKO’s Nancy Wilson, KKBQ’s Lo Sessions and Country 102.5’s Dawn Santolucito.

 

AI’s Legal Impact

Photo: Courtesy of CRS

Belmont University’s Brittany Shaffer, Loti AI’s Luke Arrigoni, law Professor Matthew Sag, NSAI’s Bart Herbison, SoundExchange’s Ryan Lehning and RIAA’s Jackie Jones discussed the legal facets of AI and its influence on country music, such as intellectual property rights, music licensing, data privacy, ethical considerations and future legal frameworks in “All Shook Up: AI Legal’s Impact on the Country Music Industry.”

Shaping Workplace Culture

Photo: Courtesy of CRS

During “Culture: The C Word You Should Say,” BMG’s Jon Loba, EntreLeadership Elite’s John Felkins, Dale Carnegie’s Allyn Walker and Audacy’s Mike Peterson gave insight to information and tools to build workplace culture.

 

Artist Development Paths

Photo: Courtesy of CRS

Stone Door Media Lab’s Jeff Green, Warner Music Nashville’s Addison Nunes, Warner Records’ Casey Campbell and G Major Management’s Emilie Gilbert helped attendees understand the data behind artist development, and explored contextualization and hype vs reality in “Artist Development: The Sparks Behind The Streams.”

 

Conquering Radio Marketing

Photo: Courtesy of CRS

In “Radio, We Have A Problem! A Marketing Problem,” 925XTU’s Nicole Michalik, Live Nation’s Joe McCollum, One Country’s Chase Locke and The Bobby Bones Show’s Amy Brown dove into how radio stations can use its free app to heighten marketing value.

 

Embracing Cross-Genre Artists

Photo: Courtesy of CRS

Audacy’s Erik Bradley, iHeartMedia’s Jonathan Shufford, Cumulus Media’s Leslie Whittle and Warner Music Nashville’s Michael Chase discussed how to market crossover genre artists to country’s growing audience in “We’ve Got Some Help: How To Embrace Crossover Artists and The New Audience.”

 

Keeping Up With Playlists

Photo: Courtesy of CRS

For “Evolving Your Playlist: F*#@ The Format,” Big Loud Records’ Stacy Blythe, The Smith Richards Collective’s Tim Richards, Audacy’s Drew Bland and SiriusXM/Pandora’s Kathleen St. Clair showcased how to take advantage of genre moments on a playlist by adding dates, charts, sonic trends, brand support and more.

 

A Sale Idea A Minute

Photo: Courtesy of CRS

Brian Peck, John Willyard, Audacy Houston’s Melissa Chase, Brad Davidorf, KSON’s Kimo Jensen and Audacy’s Scott Roddy gave attendees 30 sales ideas in 30 minutes to increase revenue in “Walk Away With 30 Sales Ideas In 30 Minutes.”

 

BMLG Luncheon

Photo: Courtesy of CRS

Attendees enjoyed lunch while enjoying performances from Big Machine Label Group artists, including Shaylen, Jack Wharff, Rascal Flatts, Preston Cooper, Caroline Jones, Chris Janson, Jackson Dean, Mackenzie Carpenter, Riley Green and Chase McDaniel.

 

The Cycle Of ‘Austin’

Photo: Courtesy of CRS

The final “Cycle of a Song” program for the week concluded with a look at Dasha‘s breakthrough hit “Austin” with Dasha, Warner Music Nashville’s Andy Flick, Spotify’s Talia Kraines, Warner Records’ Ben Farber and Mike Chester, KYGO Denver’s Brian Michel, Alex Lunt and Katy Cooper.

 

The Annual New Faces Show

Zach Top, Dasha, Drew Baldridge, Ashley Cooke and Warren Zeiders. Photo: Courtesy of CRS

The three day CRS program culminated with its annual New Faces of Country Music show, showcasing talent from rising artists Dasha, Warren Zeiders, Drew Baldridge, Ashley Cooke and Zach Top.

Madison Hahnen
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