Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB) has revealed the 2024–2025 Country Radio Seminar (CRS) Agenda Committee leaders and members, who will work together to develop the annual three-day convention’s schedule.

Shelley Hargis (BMG/BBR Music Group) will continue to lead as the Agenda Chair, along with Co-Vice Chairs Krista Hayes (BMG/BBR Music Group) and Jesse Tack (WUBE/Hubbard).

“I could not be MORE thrilled to lead the agenda team again this year! Last year, our team launched a few new things at CRS, and we plan to continue those! Working together with a group of people who LOVE the country music industry, and especially CRS, as much as I do, is so exciting and invigorating,” says Hargis. “The team we have put together for this year is ready to take on the task of making this year the BEST yet!”

Committee members include Andrea Burtscher (Audacy), Kevin Callahan (Pamal Broadcasting), Samantha DePrez (Curb Records), Paisley Dunn-Banks (Seven Mountains Media), Nick Steele (Audacy), Amy Foxx (Hubbard Broadcasting), Alek Halverson (iHeartMedia), Maverick Johnson (iHeartMedia), Sarah Kay (Rubber City Radio Group/WQMX), Victoria Mason (Warner Music Nashville), Brad Mates (Band & Crew Financial), Nicole Michalik (Beasley Media/WXTU), Ashley Morrison (iHeartMedia), Jordan Pettit (Opry Entertainment Group), Scott Roddy (Audacy), Jennifer Shaffer (Wheelhouse Records/BBR Music Group/BMG) and Kathleen Shea (SiriusXM/Pandora).

Additionally, Brittani Johnson (Big Loud Records) will lead the agenda content for the Digital Music Summit, which will return on the first day of CRS 2025. The Digital Music Summit Team also includes Claire Heinichen (Spotify), Gemma McInturff (Spotify), Vipin Reddy (UMG Nashville) and Alina Thompson (SiriusXM/Pandora).

CRS 2025 will take place Feb. 19–21.

Brad Clark & Kristen Reed

Concord has tapped Brad Clark as Senior Vice President of Streaming and Data Analysis and Kristen Reed as Vice President of Data Analytics and Research. In their new positions, Clark and Reed will focus on leveraging data to boost revenue and amplify the voices of artists on their roster. Both are based in Nashville.

“I am excited to have Brad and Kristen join the team. Brad has worked with artists at all stages of their career, from the releasing of their first song to some of the biggest stadium acts in the industry. He has developed a unique understanding of how to translate data into real-world advancement for an artist’s career,” says Chief Executive of Concord Label Group Tom Becci.

“Kristen’s ability to employ data to guide the promotion of an artist is incredible,” Becci adds. As Concord Label Group continues to grow at an increasingly rapid pace, it is vital that we maintain our competitive edge and ensure our artists are reaching as wide an audience as possible. In the era of streaming, this means a global, data-driven approach, and I know that Brad and Kristen are extremely well-suited to build upon the framework that we’ve established.”

Originally from Stoneville, North Carolina, Clark offers over 20 years of experience at Universal Music Group where he managed revenue, data, commerce and led projects for artists such as Chris Stapleton, Darius Rucker, Eric Church, Lady A, Luke Bryan and Sam Hunt.

“For me, the biggest thrill is to help an artist go from relative obscurity to realizing their dreams,” says Clark. “My career was formed around strong teams and supporting great artistry and Concord has built such an excellent, artist-centric company that this move felt like a natural next step.”

Dayton, Ohio native Reed joins the team with six years of experience in data analytics and research at Universal Music Group. She is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music with previous experience in data, finance and accounting.

“Music in general fuels me, and, as someone who tends to speak in numbers, it is a real gift to be able to use that ability to help artists bring music to the world,” explains Reed. “Concord has such an incredible roster and team, and I’m delighted to dive in.”

Rock Nashville, a new destination entertainment rehearsal and production facility, is slated to open in 2025.

Commercial real estate developer Al. Neyer and Pennsylvania-based production campus and rehearsal venue Rock Lititz are developing the 82-acre space in Whites Creek, Tennessee, less than 10 miles from downtown Nashville. Construction began last month.

The planned Rock Nashville campus will consist of 515,000 square feet of sound stages with one up to 95 feet tall as well as creative offices and production areas of multiple sizes to accommodate the varying specifications for live shows. Details regarding the project timeline, design concepts and partnership opportunities will be announced in the coming months.

“As we approach 10 years since Rock Lititz opened its doors, we’ve been eager to find the next space and partner for expanding our support for the live entertainment industry,” says Andrea Shirk, Rock Lititz President & CEO. “This unique and hardworking community thrives with access to specialized training, mentoring and resources to help create custom live experiences for audiences worldwide. It is with great excitement that we’ve identified Nashville and Al. Neyer as the right city and partner. We are passionate about growing this network, and Nashville is the perfect location to join with other industry leaders to create something special.”

Confirmed future tenants SoundCheck and Clair Global will be the first of over 30 industry vendors and entertainment groups to utilize the live music and event production space.

“SoundCheck has been part of the Nashville entertainment community for over 30 years, and we couldn’t be more excited to make Rock Nashville our new home,” says Kindal Jumper, SoundCheck GM. “As Music City continues to grow as a premier destination for all genres of music, the campus’s state-of-the-art facilities will allow SoundCheck to meet the growing needs of today’s acts, ensuring the highest caliber production experience for artists and crews from Broadway to Bridgestone.”