It’s not hard to get me talking about Country Radio Seminar. Never has been. You don’t need to twist my arm and, frankly, please don’t this year. It’s already in a sling. Ask me why at #CRS50, taking place Wednesday, February 13th through Friday, February 15th at Nashville’s Omni Hotel. (How’s that for appointment listening?) I won’t be hard to find; I’ll be the guy in the sling.

I’ve typically posted a column previewing suggestions about what sessions to attend at CRS. Like many reading this, CRS has been an important part of my career development. My service to CRS has been a passion. For whatever reason, this organization and I have brought out the best in each other. Well, now I’m an employee of Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB), which presents the seminar each year. My passion - and bragging -- for our Seminar had been ratcheted up a notch. You’re welcome.

It’s 2:37 in the morning, and I’m drenched in sweat. My hands are clammy and trembling uncontrollably. I need a cocktail or a Xanax – or both. I’m physically and emotionally drained, yet totally wired, and need to stand up or move aimlessly. I just finished an ...

As a proud, up-to-date, dues-paying member of the Country Music Association (CMA), I’m now faced with my annual, stomach-churning dilemma: who the hell to choose in the final round of voting for the “52nd Annual CMA Awards” coming up on Wednesday, November ...

Luke Combs is a phenomenon. I mean, OMG. Three straight #1 singles, accolades, and sales up the wazoo for his “This One’s For You” album AND the deluxe edition released this Summer. Have you been to his live show? These aren’t merely concerts, people, they’re ...

Happily, Wednesday night’s (8/22) 2018 edition of “ACM Honors,” which celebrates Academy Of Country Music categories not recognized during the annual April awards extravaganza televised by CBS-TV, falls under the category of “you had to be there.” Held at ...

Whenever possible, I like to give radio the last word on topics we've discussed here. So, we'll wrap up our conversation on Broadcast Award entries and how radio can best demonstrate the great work it's doing every day. For a perspective from behind the mic, say hello to ...

Last week's "...'Ville" about on-air demos – specifically, ones built for a CMA or ACM Broadcast Award entry – sparked a lot of feedback and conversation. I made the point that during my many years of judging Personality Of The Year entries on behalf of the ACM – ...

I'm not sure divulging this gets me in trouble or not, but once again this year, I'm a judge for the annual CMA Broadcast Awards, which recognize excellence for Country radio stations and air personalities in our format. It's an honor to be part of the team evaluating ...

It shouldn't come as a shock to anybody in our business that the late Lisa McKay is being enshrined in the Country Radio Hall Of Fame (CRHoF) tonight (6/20). McKay's body of work, compiled between her 2002 arrival at Curtis Media Country WQDR/Raleigh until her untimely ...

Forget everything you've previously heard about Georgia being the pipeline for massive Country music success. Sure, the Peach State has given us Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Alan Jackson, and countless others. But for one night – specifically, Wednesday, June 20th – ...