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CRS Las Vegas Wrap Up
May 25, 2006 at 8:48 AM (PT)
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The COUNTRY RADIO BROADCASTERS (CRB) held their annual regional CRS event on MONDAY (5/22) in conjunction with the ACM AWARDS in LAS VEGAS. The day long event consisted of two panels, four musical performances and a networking opportunity, all held at the convention center in the MGM GRAND.
The event was kicked off by musical performances from SHOW DOG NASHVILLE's newest duo RUSHLOW HARRIS followed by LYRIC STREET songbird SARAH BUXTON. The first panel of the day, "Storytellers: The Industry's Finest Relate Their Stories, Challenges and Success," featured such heavy hitters as BIG MACHINE's Pres./CEO SCOTT BORCHETTA, ARISTA VP/Promo. SKIP BISHOP, CLEAR CHANNEL Sr. VP/Research JESS HANSON and JRN host LIA KNIGHT. Each panelist told inside stories, usually comical, that they had collected from their years in the business. The most insightful discussion came from HANSON who posses a vast knowledge of the new electronic monitoring systems that look to be the next generation of ratings gathering.
After a short networking break, the second half of the event started with a performance by ASYLUM recording artists RIO GRAND and RUST RECORDS newest act POVERTYNECK HILLBILLIES. The second panel was titled, "Radio and Records: Hot Topics Unmasked". The panel consisted of KMPS/SEATTLE PD BECKY BRENNER, CUMULUS Country Format Chief CHARLIE COOK, WARNER BROS./NASHVILLE VP/Promo. GATOR MICHAELS, PREMIERE RADIO NETWORKS' host BLAIR GARNER, CMT/VP/Prog. CHRIS PARR, CLEAR CHANNEL VP/Prog. CLAY HUNNICUT and SHOW DOG NASHVILLE VP/Mktg. JOHNNY ROSE. Among the topics discussed was HD radio, the effectiveness of artist radio tours, syndicated and day part spins and CMT's ability to reach out to non-Country fans. By far the most interesting moments in the panel came when COOK and BORCHETTA engaged in a heated, yet cordial, discussion of CUMULUS' decision to no longer report adds. COOK stated that it made no sense for his programmers to spend time reporting adds, when the spins were going to be picked up and recorded regardless. BORCHETTA felt that by not reporting spins it takes away the label's ability to sell a song to other stations, much the way that taking away ARBITRON ratings would hurt a station's ability to sell advertising.
Once the panels wrapped up, attendees were invited to attend the ACM NEW ARTIST SHOWCASE and enjoy performances by nominees CRAIG MORGAN, BILLY CURRINGTON, JASON ALDEAN, SUGARLAND, BIG & RICH, LITTLE BIG TOWN, CARRIE UNDERWOOD, MIRANDA LAMBERT and JULIE ROBERTS.

