Report: CRS Critical Forum For Radio

Country radio programmers from across the U.S. will arrive in Music City next week for Country Radio Seminar, an annual industry gathering that is unique to the country genre, according to The Tennesssean.

CRS, which takes place Wednesday through Feb. 21 at the Nashville Convention Center, serves as a forum for radio and Music Row executives to exchange ideas and for record labels to sell their acts at an array of private showcases.

The emergence of streaming services, the lack of female artists on country radio and the continued push for performance royalties for artists are among the issues confronting the broadcast radio industry.

Special panels will feature industry experts speaking on issues such as using social media to promote artists and stations, the importance of independent country stations and an array of analytics measuring the state of the country music. Country remains the No. 1 radio format.

“I think the importance of CRS is it’s a great opportunity to gather the best programming minds and best industry minds to understand each other’s issues and concerns and limitations all at the same time,” said Clay Hunnicutt, executive vice president of programming for Clear Channel. “I know there are other conventions, but I’m not aware of any other format that tries to bring in different people of all the different sectors to learn, grow and understand each other’s dynamics.”

In the evening, labels will host showcases for their artists, especially emerging ones, at venues across Nashville.

“There is nothing else in the world like CRS! No other genre of music has the strong relationships that we enjoy in country music between radio programmers, labels and artists,” said Sony Music Nashville Chairman and CEO Gary Overton. “CRS brings all these stakeholders together at one time and one place with the goal of working together to grow and strengthen country music.”

Read More Now.