CRS 2026 Announces Expanded, Multi-Day Research Presentations

Country Radio Seminar has announced three research presentations scheduled for CRS 2026, which will be held March 18–20 in Nashville. Registration is available now.

Each of the three presentations are uniquely designed to address a different dimension of the country audience, including current music testing, listener perceptions and the next generation of fans.

“This year, CRS is working with three outstanding partners to bring a true trifecta of research to our constituents. CRS has never assembled or shared a research rollout this comprehensive,” says Clay Hunnicutt, CRB Research Committee Co-Chair. “Whether you’re looking for music research to identify potential hits, perceptual data to guide strategic decisions, or insight into what the next generation of country fans is saying to help grow our business, CRS has you covered every day.”

On March 18, NuVoodoo will present results from a 400-song Auditorium Music Test (OMT), presented by Curb Records, screening country fans ages 18–54 who engage with both radio and streaming platforms. The study will provide detailed breakouts by demographic segments, geographic regions across the U.S., and listening preferences. This marks the third consecutive year CRS has delivered a full national music test conducted by NuVoodoo, with complete results made available to all CRS attendees.

On March 19, CRS will present its annual Perceptual Study, conducted this year by Strategic Solutions Research. This broad-format study explores how country fans feel about the genre today, when and how they listen, and how listening behaviors are evolving. Key areas of focus include music perceptions such as era balance and familiarity artists listeners want to hear more or less of, and the ongoing impact of on-air personalities, local connection and community engagement on the listening experience.

On March 20, The Country Music Association will present findings from its recently completed teen-focused research study, a custom project designed to better understand the next generation of country listeners. Following the data presentation, a panel of radio and streaming programmers, as well as an artist (to be announced), will discuss the future audience pipeline for the genre, how teens engage with music today, and how country fits into their lives.

“Knowledge is power, and the research coming out of CRS this year reflects that,” says Justin Chase, CRB Research Committee Co-Chair. “By delivering three distinct research initiatives, CRS is providing the industry with a deeper, more complete understanding of listener behavior, music preferences, and where the future of country music is headed.”