CRS Makes Its Triumphant Return As Live, In-Person Event

Excitement Filled Event Featured Industry Reunions, Musical Performances, Panels, Sessions, and More

(Nashville, Tenn. - Feb. 28, 2022) After hosting a successful virtual event in 2021, Country Radio Seminar (CRS) returned as a live, in-person event in 2022, held Wednesday, Feb. 23 through Friday, Feb. 25.

Some of this year’s event highlights include a full-day Streaming Summit, eighteen informative panels, six “CRS Heads of State” sessions, four mentoring breakfasts, three label-sponsored luncheons, and a featured artist interview with Blake Shelton. Popular anchor events at CRS returned, such as the Amazon Music Presents: “Country Heat at CRS” showcase, Warner Music Nashville’s Luncheon, Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley, “Team UMG” at the Ryman, Big Machine Label Group’s Luncheon, New Faces of Country Music Show and Dinner, and the 2nd annual “Paddle Royale” Ping Pong Tournament.

CRS is the premier educational and networking event for Country radio and music industry professionals, offering attendees access to informative panels, countless networking opportunities, prominent speakers, research presentations, and intimate performances from some of today’s biggest stars and emerging artists. Panels at CRS cover a broad range of topics relevant to today’s Country radio industry, including social media and digital innovations, brand strategies, leadership skills, consumer research studies, the relationships and economics of the radio and record industries, and much more. Country radio’s biggest event of the year will return in 2023 and is set for March 13 – 15, 2023. Registration for next year’s event will open later this year.

Some of this year's event highlights can be seen below.

The CRS 2022 New Faces of Country Music® Show closed out the 3-day event, with performances by (L to R) Parker McCollum, Lainey Wilson, Jameson Rodgers, Gabby Barrett,and Walker Hayes.The show was co-sponsored by the Academy of Country Music and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.Photo Courtesy of CRB/CRS/Kayla Schoen Photography

Pictured above: The 5th annual “Amazon Music Presents: Country Heat at CRS” showcase was held on Feb. 23 during CRS 2022, and was headlined by Thomas Rhett and featured performances by Frank Ray, Lily Rose, Conner Smith, and Morgan Wade. Pictured above L to R: CRB/CRS Executive Director RJ Curtis, Thomas Rhett, Conner Smith, Frank Ray, Morgan Wade, and the Head of Country Music at Amazon Music, Michelle Kammerer. (Not Pictured: Lily Rose) / Photo Courtesy of CRB/CRS/Kayla Schoen Photography

The CRS Big Machine Label Group luncheon featured performances by Lady A, Carly Pearce, Riley Green, Callista Clark, Laci Kaye Booth, Jackson Dean, and Tiera Kennedy. Pictured here L to R: Front Row: Lady A's Charles Kelly, Jimmy Harnen (President and CEO, Big Machine Records), Lady A's Hillary Scott, Scott Borchetta(President/CEO, BMLG), Carly Pearce, Kurt Johnson (SVP/Townsquare Media & CRB/CRS Board President); Middle Row: George Briner (President/The Valory Music Co.), Lady A's Dave Haywood, Callista Clark, Riley Green, Clay Hunnicutt (General Manager, Big Machine Records); Back Row: Conner Smith, Tiera Kennedy, Laci Kaye Booth, Jackson Dean.