Country's A&O&B Completes Pre-CRS Seminar Plans

Country Radio Specialists Mike O’Malley and Becky Brenner have announced two up and coming country stars will peform during their 26th annual Pre-CRS seminar; Wednesday, February 19, 2020 from 8:30-11:30 am at the Omni Hotel in Downtown Nashville.

Heath Sanders

Valory Music Co.'s Heath Sanders and Big Machine Records Payton Smith will perform new music and meet with the attendees.

Arkansas native Heath Sanders spent eight years working in the oil fields before posting a cover of Chris Stapleton’s “Either Way” from his living room in early 2018.  Nashville then took notice with Heath’s first original song, “Bloodline.”  With a booming vocal grit and undeniable lyrical sensibilities, his welcoming personality carries the man and the music.

Payton Smith

Payton Smith was discovered at CMA Fest in 2018 by Scott Borchetta, head of Big Machine Label Group, who caught his act while walking past one of the side stages where Smith was performing as if headlining a stadium tour. The 20-year-old is every bit as much a fan of Pearl Jam as he is Clint Black, and is certain that his peers have equally varied musical tastes.

The A&O&B team will also present the first highlights from their 15th annual online perceptual study, “Roadmap 2020”.  This is the largest study of Country P1's in the U.S. and Canada,  It is in the field now, with over 9,000 respondents already on board.  Attendees will discover trends in music tastes, radio usage, digital consumption, social networking and more.

Margaret Hart

Previously announced sessions include:

➤"Growing Your Brand Through YouTube":   Attendees will get a crash course on how to use YouTube to increase views and grow your fan base. Presented by Margaret Hart, Label Relations Manager Nashville.  See how stations and personalities are currently using the platform. Plus, learn best practices for doing it yourself through channel building and optimization.

➤"360 'Radio' for 2020":   John Zimmer, President of Zimmer Radio and Marketing Group, NAB representative from Missouri & Kansas, and the current Chairman of the 2020 NAB Radio Show in Nashville, shares his insights regarding the successful evolution of radio into the new decade.  What will it take to grow your business while competing with new technologies and new generations of consumers?  Use his insights to navigate the year ahead.

John Zimmer

➤"How Improv Can improve your Show & Your Public Speaking":   You - yes YOU - are 100% capable of succeeding at Improv!  All you need are three core techniques. Theatre professor and former Second City actor Christie Maturo will walk you though the process. In less than half an hour, you'll have permission to be you and have the confidence that what you say will be interesting and make great radio.

Christie
 Maturo

➤“How to Be the Biggest Fish in your Pond”  CMA/ACM Award winners and nominees Brent Lane and Tim Leary reveal specific attitudes and actions to become the most recognized and listened-to talent in their markets.

Speaking about this year’s event, Partner Mike O’Malley says, “Each year we bring together experts in various fields that can help us all make the best radio possible. Attendees this year will walk away with fresh ideas on marketing, management, and performance that they can put into practice on their first day back from CRS. Plus of course enjoy some great new music from our BMLG partners.”

Brenner adds, “We are thrilled to be back at the Omni in partnership with our friends at Country Radio Seminar and BMLG.  This fast paced 3.5 hours is an opportunity to share, learn, grow and re-energize for the new year!"

The A&O&B Pre-CRS Seminar is free to all A&O&B clients, as well as any broadcasters in non-competitive situations. You can RSVP to Mike O'Malley - mike@aandoandb.com or Becky Brenner becky@aandoandb.com.

Click Here to Register for CRS 2020.