CRS-40 Is One For The History Books

Thanks CRS, We Had A Good Time!

If there was a dark-cloud of worry about the economy, budget cuts and deeper consolidation hanging over the 40th Anniversary CRS last week in NASHVILLE, you would have never known it as BRAD PAISLEY and PETER FRAMPTON exchanged scorching guitar riffs during the finale on the GENERAL JACKSON boat ride, on THURSDAY night (3/5) sponsored by SONY MUSIC. The song, 'Do You Feel Like We Do,' was one of the several magical moments that people will remember years from now, and as usual- it was the music that stole the show at this annual seminar.

Some of the highlights of the week included a JAMEY JOHNSON concert, which was held outside, in front of the CONVENTION CENTER, and open to the general public. Other standout shows included the lunch performances on THURSDAY (3/5) and FRIDAY (3/6) with MIRANDA LAMBERT and JAKE OWEN and LITTLE BIG TOWN and DARIUS RUCKER, respectively. SHOW DOG held their annual 'THROWDOWN,' at LEGENDS on WEDNESDAY night, featuring their group TRAILER CHOIR and right next door, BNA's PAT GREEN was heating things up at the STAGE. Also BNA's LOST TRAILERS were kicking it up at SECOND FIDDLE.

After the SONY MUSIC Boat Show on THURSDAY, the party kept rolling with CAPITOL star KEITH URBAN at the RUTLEDGE and MERCURY's JAMEY JOHNSON back in action with HOLLY WILLIAMS opening at the STAGE. 

In a year of firsts for CRS, two new events held their inaugural shows. For those not attending the big Boat Show, the CRB and HOLLEY GUIDRY held "A Starry Starry NASHVILLE Night" at CADILLAC RANCH. In addition to entertainment from some of MUSIC CITY's finest songwriters and artists, attendees enjoyed food, drinks and karaoke. Replacing the long running disco party, the 40th Anniversary Jam: A Musical Thanks To Radio took place at CADILLAC RANCH on FRIDAY (3/6) following NEW FACES. Great talent like BLAKE SHELTON, CRYSTAL SHAWANDA, JAMIE O'NEAL, EMILY WEST, CHUCK WICKS and CHRIS YOUNG took to the stage to sing their favorite songs.

This year's seminar was kicked off with a keynote by author SETH GODIN and the week was full of an array of panel discussions. One of the highlights was the unveiling of a survey commissioned by the CRB (COUNTRY RADIO BROADCASTERS) and conducted by EDISON RESEARCH. The survey among P-1's offered the revelation that 'repetition' is a negative among listeners- and that 'syndicated programming' is not as appealing as 'local' radio.

The CRS again showed that even in challenging times that the seminar is a must for anyone in the business. While official figures are not out, CRB officials did nod to the fact that it was a bit down from last year.

CRS-41 is already being planned for FEBRUARY 24-26, 2010, and this year there's even an 'installment plan' being offered to attendees that want to pay a little at a time. For more info, visit www.crb.org. And for a complete look at the survey conducted by EDISON RESEARCH, visit www.edisonresearch.com.

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