Top Acts Trot Out For CRS

Country Radio Seminar kicks off today at the Omni Hotel in Nashville with the usual mixture of music, mentoring and how-to’s for radio programmers and their bosses. Produced annually by Country Radio Broadcasters, the convention will wrap up Wednesday night with the New Faces of Country Music show.

This event is open only to registrants and accredited members of the media.

Although some record labels and media companies will be hosting private parties and showcases throughout the three days, here are some of the official musical highlights of the seminar:

Monday

• Keith Urban receives CRB Artist Humanitarian award.
• The Grand Ole Opry recreates its stage at the Omni with performances (7-9::30 p.m.) by Trace Adkins, Ashley Campbell, Easton Corbin, Chris Janson, Tracy Lawrence, Maddie & Tae, Martina McBride and David Nail.

Tuesday

• Inspirational speech by Iraq war veteran and former Dancing With The Stars contestant Noah Galloway.
• Universal Music Group lunch and performance featuring Lauren Alaina, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Vince Gill, Charles Kelley, Little Big Town, Kip Moore, Kacey Musgraves, David Nail, Jon Pardi, Eric Paslay, Darius Rucker, Canaan Smith, Chris Stapleton and Keith Urban.
• “The Story of the Tortoise and the Hare: A Discussion of Country Chart vs. Pop Chart” panel discussion including Lee Brice, whose “Love Like Crazy” spent a record-setting 56 consecutive weeks on the country chart.
• CRS After Hours shows will follow both the seminar’s regular sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday and will spotlight Smith & Wesley, the Josh Abbott Band, Love and Theft, LoCash, Blackjack Billy and Cold Creek Country.
• Nashville Access Superpick Showcase with Amber’s Drive, Jake Worthington, James House, Hannah Bethel, Ward Davis and Kylie Morgan.
• Bob Kinglsey’s Acoustic Alley features some of country music’s top songwriters, including Rhett Akins, Rodney Clawson, Ross Cooperman, Andrew Dorff, Josh Kear, Shane McAnally, Heather Morgan, Tim Nichols, Josh Osborne, Jonathan Singleton and Jimmy Yeary.

Wednesday

• Acoustic stage performance featuring Macy Martin.
• Big Machine Label Group lunch and performances by Jennifer Nettles, Justin Moore, Drake White, Tara Thompson and Tucker Beathard.
• “Transcending and Evolving With Tim McGraw,” a session during which the singer discusses his 21 years as a charting artist.
• The New Faces of Country Music Show with performances by Brothers Osborne, Cam, Chris Janson, Kelsea Ballerini and Old Dominion.