Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB) has revealed the lineup for the Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2024 New Faces of Country Music Show, taking place Friday, March 1.

This year’s showcase will feature George Birge, Dillon Carmichael, Corey Kent, Megan Moroney and Conner Smith.

The New Faces of Country Music Show stars five emerging artists who have achieved notable country radio success during the qualification period, which spanned from Nov. 1, 2022, to Oct. 31, 2023, for the 2024 show. The event has served as a pivotal moment in the careers of established country hitmakers since its inception in 1970.

“With five of 2023’s top 10 airplay artists earning that distinction for the first time, there’s no doubt country music is surging at every level. The 2024 New Faces class is another prime example, and yet one more reason to look forward to the country industry’s most important B2B event–CRS,” says Chuck Aly, CRS New Faces Committee Chairman.

CRS 2024 is set for Wednesday, Feb. 28–Friday, March 1 at the Omni Nashville Hotel. For more information, click here.

Walker Montgomery. Photo: Chris Hollo

Walker Montgomery recently made his Grand Ole Opry debut. He was lovingly introduced by his father John Michael Montgomery and his uncle, Opry member Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry.

John Michael Montgomery, Walker Montgomery, Eddie Montgomery and Charlie Mattos. Photo: Chris Hollo

Walker performed his self-penned EP title track “Work To Do” and his romantic ballad “Tired Of You” to a packed house.

“I’m sure that ‘surreal’ is a word that many artists use to describe their Opry debut. I now see why. It’s simply the best way to describe it. It’s a night that my family and I will cherish for the rest of our lives. God bless country music!” Walker shared.

With over 20 million streams worldwide, Walker has been named an artist-to-watch by Country Now, Music Mayhem Magazine, Sounds Like Nashville, The Boot and others. The 24-year-old who was raised away from the spotlight in Nicholasville, Kentucky is carving his own path in the Nashville music industry.

Chris Stapleton and Noah Kahan are set to headline the Railbird Music Festival, taking place June 1-2 at The Infield at Red Mile in Lexington, Kentucky.

Over 30 artists will play the festival across three stages, including Hozier, Turnpike Troubadours, Counting Crows, Lord Huron, Wynonna Judd, Dwight Yoakam and Elle King, transforming the historical race track grounds into two days of music and curated bourbon and equine experiences that celebrate the spirit of Kentucky.

Two-day and one-day General Admission, GA+, VIP and Platinum presale tickets are available now. GA+ tickets provide access to the GA+ Lounge that features air-conditioned restrooms, a private bar with drinks and complimentary water and a dedicated GA+ Concierge to assist with festival needs. VIP tickets include unlimited access to the VIP Lounge with air-conditioned restrooms, private bar with drinks and complimentary water, preferred viewing areas at the two main stages and more.

Platinum tickets include all VIP amenities plus unlimited access to the Platinum Lounge that includes a complimentary full-service bar and all-day complimentary dining, golf cart transportation between stages and more. New in 2024, the two-person Superfecta package features all Platinum amenities plus on-stage viewing opportunities, reserved prime parking, an invitation to a special pre-festival tour on Friday evening with bites and drinks included and more. For more information, click here.

Brenda Lee performs on Christmas at the Opry. Photo: Allen Clark/NBC

Rock & Roll Hall and Country Music Hall of Famer Brenda Lee is celebrating the 65th anniversary of her iconic holiday hit “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” this year.

Written by Johnny Marks, Lee’s label Decca Records released the hit when she was only 13 years old. Now, 65 years later, it has topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the first time ever, causing Lee to break several records, many of which were held by Mariah Carey and “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” With the feat, “Rockin'” is only the third holiday song to hit No. 1 on the Hot 100.

Lee recently spoke to MusicRow about the staying power of the song and her experience as its shepherd.

“I never thought a Christmas song would be my signature song,” she says. Lee shares that she loved Marks’ song as soon as she heard it, noting that it wasn’t like other Christmas songs. She says Owen Bradley‘s swanky production of the track gave it its cool-factor, making it stand out from other holiday tunes.

“The first time I heard it, I really did love it. The funny thing about it is that Johnny Marks was Jewish, and the only thing that would come out of his body was Christmas songs!” Lee quips. “I said to him once, ‘Johnny, what does that mean?'”

Lee says that though “Rockin'” was always a fan favorite, its prevalent use on the 1990 Home Alone film pushed it into the zeitgeist.

“I remember the first phone call I got [about it]. They said, ‘Brenda, did you know your song is in Home Alone?’ I was like, ‘What is Home Alone?’ That’s when I knew it might just be something.”

Brenda Lee. Photo: Alexa King Stone

And she was right. “Rockin'” has endured the test of time. Now that it has topped the Hot 100 chart, the song has made Lee the record-holder for the longest gap between an artist’s first and most recent week at No.1 on the Hot 100, as her first No. 1 was her single “I’m Sorry” in 1960, 63 years ago. Now, at almost 79-years-old, Lee is also the oldest woman to top the Hot 100, surpassing previous record-holders Cher (“Believe,” age 52) and Carey (“All I Want for Christmas Is You,” age 53).

Recently, UMG Nashville presented Lee with a special plaque signifying its five-time Platinum certification.

Lee says that even at a show in the middle of June, she has to play it. But she is grateful that it has impacted generations of fans.

To celebrate the 65th anniversary of “Rockin’,” Lee made a music video for the tune featuring cameos by country stars Tanya Tucker and Trisha Yearwood. She also released a new EP, A Rockin’ Christmas with Brenda Lee, featuring the hit and other holiday favorites including “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “A Marshmallow World” and “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” reimagined by Filous.

She also performed the hit on the NBC television special Christmas at the Opry, which aired yesterday (Dec. 7) and is streaming today on Peacock.

“It’s my time of year,” Lee quips. “That’s the thing about a Christmas song if it ever gets to be a hit.”

When reflecting on the success of “Rockin'” 65 years later, Lee says, “Thank you to the team at UMG/UMe who worked so hard to celebrate the song’s anniversary this year. But most importantly, thank you to the fans who keep listening. The song came out when I was a young teenager and now to know that it has resonated with multiple generations and continues to resonate—it is one of the best gifts I have ever received. Keep on Rockin’ and Merry Christmas!”

Morgan Wallen. Photo: David Lehr

Mediabase has revealed its year end charts for 2023. Big Loud Records came out on top in country music with an 11.2% share, up from the third position and a 9.0% share in 2022.