CRS 2025 Day Two: ‘The Country Fan,’ Old Dominion, BBR Music Group & More

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Country Radio Seminar continued yesterday (Feb. 20) at the Omni Nashville Hotel. Below are some of the highlights from yesterday’s programming.

‘Showcase Your Assets’ Fosters Career Growth

Photo: Courtesy of CRS

Founding member of Emerson Drive Brad Mates, broadcast professional Abbey White, Borman Entertainment’s Donna Hughes and industry veteran Jeff Gregg shared skills and resources that can be applied to a sustained career in the music industry during “Showcase Your Assets.”

Experts ‘Sound Off’ On Mainstream Country

Photo: Courtesy of CRS

During “Sound Off: What Is ‘Mainstream’ Country,” AEG Presents’ Adam Weiser, RCA Records’ Keith Rothschild and Jeff Rizzo, Spotify’s Rachel Whitney, KYGO Denver’s Brian Michel and Country Aircheck‘s Chuck Aly discussed how to identify the target audience for artists and how country radio can contribute to the success of the new country sound with broad mainstream appeal.

 

An Inside Look At ‘The Country Fan’

Photo: Courtesy of CRS

Leigh Jacobs and Carolyn Gilbert presented the annual research presentation, “The Country Fan: Reviewing, Retaining, and Recruiting Your Listener,” presented by Nuvoodoo Media. The presentation featured takeaways from a nationwide survey of 1,500 country music fans that offered insight into their takes on the genre.

 

How TikTok Has Impacted The Genre

Photo: Courtesy of CRS

In “Honky Tonk To TikTok: Country Music’s Wild Five Year Ride By The Numbers,” Opry Entertainment Group’s Jordan Pettit, YouTube’s Margaret Hart, The Tennessean‘s Marcus Dowling, SiriusXM/Pandora’s Alina Thompson, Mercury’s Alex Coslov, Jamie Marconette and Red Light Management’s Mandelyn Monchick took a look at how TikTok has caused a change in sound, distribution, audience demographics and cultural impacts within country music.

 

Emphasizing Mental Health

Photo: Courtesy of CRS

Porter’s Call’s Chad Karger, WYCD’s Tim Roberts, Amazon Music’s Michelle Tigard Kammerer and Island Records’ artist Wyatt Flores spoke about CMA’s mental health services, including counseling, healthcare, financial wellness and substance abuse resources in “Mental Health Matters: CMA’s Commitment To Well-Being In The Industry.”

 

The Cycle Of ‘Wind Up Missin’ You’

Photo: Courtesy of CRS

The daily “Cycle Of A Song” series focused on UMG Nashville/Back Blocks Music’s Tucker Wetmore‘s “Wind Up Missin’ You” on Thursday afternoon. Those included in the panel included Wetmore, media executive Todd Nixon, Spotify’s Gemma McInturff, UMG Nashville’s Jake Gear, Back Blocks Music’s Rakiyah Marshall, OH Creative’s Olivia Hanceri and Jimmy Rector.

 

How To Succeed At Streaming

Photo: Courtesy of CRS

Tips and strategies for sustaining momentum on streaming platforms, particularly when promoting a single on country radio, were shared during “Sustaining Momentum: How To Turn Moments Into A Career/DMS.” Panelists included Red Light Management’s Allison Laughter, SiriusXM/Pandora’s Johnny Chiang, Amazon Music’s Sarah DeMarco, Big Loud’s Lucy Bartozzi and KKBQ’s Travis Moon.

 

The Annual Artist Interview

Photo: Courtesy of CRS

Sony Music Nashville’s Old Dominion discussed their career in the annual “Artist Interview” segment, lead by award winning songwriter Shane MacAnally.

 

Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley

Photo: Courtesy of CRS

Attendees were treated to drinks and tunes during the annual “Bob Kingsley‘s Acoustic Alley,” hosted by Country Top 40’s Fitz. Performers included hit songwriters Rhett Akins and Johnny Clawson, The Valory Music Co. artist Mackenzie Carpenter, UMG Nashville’s Tyler Hubbard and Old Dominion. Radio Ink also unveiled its annual Top 30 Country PDs list.

 

BBR Music Group Closes Out The Night

Photo: Courtesy of CRS

BBR Music Group closed out day two of CRS with its annual decades party. An array of artists across the label’s roster performed, including Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, Dylan Schneider, John Morgan, Alexandra Kay, Lanie Gardner, Madeline Merlo, Ryan and Rory and more.

Madison Hahnen
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