Chris Altmann and Travis Caudle announced as recipients of the Australian Council for the Arts residency

(Nashville, Tenn. – Mar. 19, 2013)   The Australian government’s Council for the Arts has named Chris Altmann and Travis Caudle as the recipients of the inaugural artist Nashville Songwriter Residency grant.

The $15,000 grant is the result of a partnership between the Australia Council’s Music Board and Nashville-based producer and writer Mark Moffatt. The residency will allow Altmann and Caudle the opportunity to become immersed in the Nashville music scene and to further develop their own artistic skills and industry networks and relationships for a period of three months.

“I am thrilled that the Arts Council views Nashville as the primary music hub in the US and has initiated this program accordingly,” said Mark Moffatt. “The opportunity for both Travis and Chris to experience Nashville’s creative community for an extended period will be invaluable in their growth as writers and will also assist their efforts to build an audience base in the States.”

A total of 89 musicians applied for the grant from across Australia; Altmann and Caudle were the two musicians chosen for the grant.

For more information on the program, visit www.AustraliaCouncil.gov.au.

Australian Council of the Arts recipients stopped by the AristoMedia offices in Nashville, Tennessee to discuss their goals and long-term career plans with staff members.  Pictured here (L to R): Jeff Walker AristoMedia President/CEO, Chris Altmann, Record Producer Mark Moffatt and Travis Caudle.

About Chris Altmann:
Altmann is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who records and performs both solo and with his group The Vandas. His sound is influenced by the border town grooves of Doug Sahm and Jerry Jeff Walker, combined with the up-tempo rock beats of Chuck Berry and Levon Helm. He released his debut album Que Paso in 2010. In 2013 Altmann plans to release both a studio and live album, as well as embark on a European tour. For more information, visit www.ChrisAltmann.com.au.

About Travis Caudle:
Singer/songwriter Travis Caudle has performed several hundred shows in the past two years, many of them across North America, and appeared at Canadian Music Week. Travis has won support slots for artists including Jimmy Barnes, Kasey Chambers, Hinder, Sia, The Black Crowes and Tim Rogers. In 2009, Travis released his debut solo electric album ‘Signals,’ the follow up to 2007’s ‘Trips Between Worlds’ released with then band The Woodenelves. For more information, visit www.TravisCaudle.com.au.

About Mark Moffatt:
Mark Moffatt is one of the most respected producers to emerge from Australia and a resident of Nashville since 1996. As Director of A&R at Ten Ten until 2001 he worked extensively in the development of Keith Urban. His production credits include Keith Urban, the Saints, Neil and Tim Finn, Slim Dusty, Deana Carter, Tony Joe White, and many others. For more information, visit www.MarkMoffatt.com.

Sandor Re-elected as Agenda Chair

(Nashville, Tenn. – Mar. 19, 2013) Agenda committee applications for CRS 2014 are now available here and will be accepted through Friday, April 5, 2013.

The CRS Agenda Committee is comprised of volunteer professionals from all areas of the Country radio and record industries.  The committee is responsible for planning events for the upcoming year’s Country Radio Seminar.  Heading up this year’s agenda committee are, re-elected members, Annie Sandor of Curb Records serving as chairman, alongside Jeff Green of Stone Door Media Lab and John Trapane of Capitol Nashville as vice chairs.

Prospective applicants must be available to attend agenda meetings in Nashville on June 19 and 20, 2013 and are expected to attend panels and meetings at CRS 2014, held Feb. 19 – 21, 2014.

About Country Radio Seminar:  Country Radio Seminar is an annual convention designed to educate and promote the exchange of ideas and business practices in the Country music industry, with specific emphasis on issues relevant to Country radio.  CRS 2014 will be held Feb. 19 – 21, 2014, in Nashville, Tenn.

Visit www.CountryRadioSeminar.com for more information.

(Nashville, TN – March 5, 2013) During this year’s Country Radio Seminar, artists and songwriters performed for radio and record executives at showcases and after hour events throughout the week. Events included WCRS Live!, sponsored by BMI and Country Aircheck; KCRS Live!, sponsored by ASCAP and City National Bank; and Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley, sponsored by Country Top 40 and co-sponsored by Suntrust Bank. These events gave hit songwriters the opportunity to be in the spotlight and perform the songs that many of the radio programmers attending had played throughout the year.

Above: The Warren Brothers (Brad and Brett) and Thomas Rhett co-headlined WCRS Live! Pictured L to R: Thomas Rhett, Brad Warren and Brett Warren

Above: Love and Theft, JT Harding and Jonathan Singleton appear as the lineup for the KCRS Live! Showcase. Pictured L to R: JT Harding, Jonathan Singleton, and Love and Theft’s Stephen Barker Liles and Eric Gunderson.

Above: For the second consecutive year, “Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley” returned with an all-star lineup of hit songwriters.  Brandy Clark, Tom Douglas, Marv Green, Natalie Hemby, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Lee Miller, Wendell Mobley and Jeff Stevens performed at the event.  Pictured L to R: Luke Laird, Bob Kingsley, Natalie Hemby, and JT Harding, who performed as one of the evening’s special guests.

(Nashville, TN – March 4, 2013) This year’s Country Radio Seminar experienced a 3 percent increase in attendance, compared to CRS 2012. This is the fifth consecutive year the event experienced a growth in attendee numbers.

A total of 2,995 registrants attended this year’s event, which was held February 27^th – March 1^st at the Nashville Convention Center. The figure comprises of 2,276 full registrants (attendees, exhibitors, panelists and sponsors), and 719 participant registrants. Participant registrants are defined as attendees that register for individual CRS events or purchase single day passes only.

Bill Mayne, CRS Executive Director stated, “The industry has been very positive about this year’s Country Radio Seminar. With the introduction of new and additional special events this year, there was a new enthusiasm surrounding the event. We have already put on our thinking caps for CRS 2014.”

CRS President Mike Culotta added, “We felt that there was a new vitality to the event with the addition of the Grand Ole Opry at CRS and The Cleveland Clinic Heart Labs Inflammation Testing. In addition, this year’s agenda offered so much for so many to enjoy.”

CRS 2014 will be held on February 18 – 22, 2014 in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. Registration for next years Seminar will open July 1^st, 2013.

Edison Research Co-founder and President Larry Rosin delivered one of Country Radio Seminar’s 2013 research studies in front of a packed house, providing an in depth look into the lives and attitudes of Country radio fans and their interactions with the medium.

Cumulus Radio Medical correspondent and Emmy® award-winning CNN chief correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta was Friday’s featured speaker. Gupta addressed attendees in an effort to help raise awareness about important health issues.

About Country Radio Seminar: Country Radio Seminar is an annual convention designed to educate and promote the exchange of ideas and business practices in the Country music industry, with specific emphasis on issues relevant to Country radio.  CRS 2014 will be held Feb. 18 – 22, 2014, in Nashville, Tenn.  Visit www.CountryRadioSeminar.com for more information.

(Nashville, Tenn – Mar. 4, 2013) Country Radio Seminar’s annual New Faces of Country Music Show closed out CRS 2013 on Friday, Mar. 1 at the Nashville Convention Center.  The show was co-sponsored by the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), Country Aircheck and the Academy of Country Music (ACM) and featured performances by Easton Corbin, Florida Georgia Line, Brantley Gilbert, Jana Kramer and Kip Moore.

In addition, the evening featured a surprise appearance by Taylor Swift, who took the stage to lend her support to Florida Georgia Line, who will open select dates on her RED Tour, which kicks off March 13th.

Pictured below L to R: CRS President Mike Culotta, Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley, Easton Corbin, Jana Kramer, Brantley Gilbert, Kip Moore, and CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne. Photo courtesy of Country Radio Seminar

Pictured below L to R: Big Machine Executive Vice President Jimmy Harnen, Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley, Taylor Swift, Big Machine President and CEO Scott Borchetta, CRS President Mike Culotta, and CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne. Photo courtesy of Country Radio Seminar

About Country Radio Seminar: Country Radio Seminar is an annual convention designed to educate and promote the exchange of ideas and business practices in the Country music industry, with specific emphasis on issues relevant to Country radio. Visit www.CountryRadioSeminar.com for more information or contact Kristen McRary at 615-327-4487.

(January 11, 2013 – Nashville, Tenn.) Nashville sports-talk icon George Plaster and radio veteran Chris Kulick have joined forces to host Nashville’s first Music City Sports Festival at the new Music City Center on May 31 and June 1, 2013.

The Music City Sports Festival, presented by Delta Dental of Tennessee, will feature a variety of events catering to all ages, including a speaker series, a hockey clinic, a showcase of local college athletic programs, children’s activities, and the Marshall Molar 5k run.  Additional events will be announced in the coming months.

“Sports are important to Nashville, and I’m glad to see the Music City Sports Festival offer fans an affordable and fun event,” said Mayor Karl Dean. “Sporting events are great economic drivers for our city and also motivate people to live healthier, active lives, two things that are important to me. I want to thank George Plaster for bringing this event to the Music City Center and for his support of the city and its sports industry.”

“We’re excited to be a part of the Music City Sports Festival and can’t wait to help introduce the city to the new Music City Center,” said Phil Wenk, D.D.S., president and CEO of Delta Dental. “From sports demonstrations to safety information, families will get to experience all the best Middle Tennessee has to offer.”

George Plaster hosts the popular Sports Night on 102.5’s “The Game” and the Game Radio Network.  The show airs Mon-Fri 3 p.m.-7 p.m. CT.  Plaster commented, “When I came up with idea four years ago, I wanted to showcase how sports has helped make our city the great place that it is. The partnership between this event and the new Music City Center is the perfect way to do that. “

Plaster and Kulick have been working diligently with Mayor Dean, the Music City Center and Nashville Convention Center Authority, the Nashville Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and Delta Dental to bring the event to fruition.

President/CEO of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, Butch Spyridon noted, “The Music City Sports Festival in the Music City Center is the perfect opportunity to showcase the building, sports and the city itself.”

Jeff Lipscomb, CEO of GS&F Marketing Communication said, “Sports marketing plays a critical role in many of our marketing strategies for our key clients. The Music City Sports Festival is a marquee event that highlights the exciting sports experiences in Nashville.”

With 20 years of award-winning radio experience, Kulick has held management, sales and promotion positions at a number of acclaimed stations including Nashville’s Supertalk 99.7 WTN, Titans Radio Network and 104.5 The Zone.  He is a two-time recipient of the March of Dimes Manager of the Year award. Additionally, Kulick and Laurie Helenburg oversee and operate the Tennessee High School Radio Network.

“The sports festival will give families the chance to spend the day together and enjoy the building,” said Kulick. “Having the opportunity to host the event in the new facility is such an honor.”

Tickets for the event go on sale at 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11, with $5 day passes and $8 weekend passes. Tickets can be purchased at www.MusicCitySportsFestival.com.

For more information on The Music City Sports Festival, contact Chris Kulick at 615-305-8248 or chris@musiccitysportsfestival.com

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:

“CRS Battle of the Bands” Set to Rock Sept. 27!

Country Radio Seminar has announced its inaugural “CRS Battle of the Bands” industry event, to be held Thursday, Sept. 27, from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. at 3rd & Lindsley.

The friendly competition will pit bands against each other in an attempt to see who can raise the most money for the CRS Scholarship Fund and The Country Radio Hall of Fame.  To participate, all bands must be comprised of members from Nashville’s Country Music record label community.

“This fun-filled event is going to be a great excuse to watch our friends and colleagues let their inner Rock Star explode on stage,” said CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne.  “I fully expect it to be a musical spectacle of epic proportions!”

The “CRS Battle of the Bands” is a private, industry-only event.  All proceeds benefit the CRS Scholarship Fund and The Country Radio Hall of Fame.  Contact the CRS offices at (615) 327-4487 for more information and to submit your band for consideration.

CRS 2013 is held Feb. 27 – March 1, 2013, in downtown Nashville, Tenn., at the Nashville Convention Center.  Visit www.CountryRadioSeminar.com for more information.

Australian-born artist currently visiting radio stations in support of new single, “Fences”

(Nashville, Tenn. – July 9, 2012)  Australian-born Country artist Craig Morrison continues to receive positive feedback from critics and reviewers in response to his self-titled U.S. album release and debut single, “Fences.”

Specially priced $349 registration rate available to first 349 registrants through July 31

(Nashville, Tenn. – July 9, 2012)  Almost half of the allotted CRS 2013 “Crazy Days of Summer” registrations have been sold in the limited promotion’s first week, CRS officials announced today.

Country Radio Seminar started its $349 “Crazy Days” rate on July 2.  The rate remains open for the first 349 CRS registrations sold through July 31.  This discounted price represents a savings of $150 from the $499 Regular rate.

A New Faces of Country Music Show ticket is included with the registration until the Friday night showcase event sells out.  The New Faces show has sold out in advance the past two years.  Register now for CRS 2013 at www.CountryRadioSeminar.com.

Following the expiration of the “Crazy Days” promotion, the CRS $399 Early Bird Rate will be offered through Nov. 30.  The $499 Regular Rate takes effect Dec. 1 and remains open until CRS begins on Feb. 27, 2013.

About Country Radio Seminar:
Country Radio Seminar is an annual convention designed to educate and promote the exchange of ideas and business practices in the Country music industry, with specific emphasis on issues relevant to Country radio.  CRS 2013 will be held Feb. 27 – March 1, 2013, in downtown Nashville, Tenn., at the Nashville Convention Center.  Visit www.CountryRadioSeminar.com for more information.  Country Radio Seminar is a property of Country Radio Broadcasters.

AristoMedia Releases June 2012 International Report

• A recap and photo gallery of the successful 2012 Global Events showcases, held each year at the beginning of CMA Music Festival week in Nashville.
• A Q&A with the Americana Music Association Executive Director Jed Hilly, who discusses the rising popularity of the genre, both in the U.S. and abroad.
• An update on the upcoming CCMA Awards, held this year in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
• A profile of “Big Daddy” Lance James, who has been waving the Country music flag in S. Africa for more than 50 years.
• A look at Lady Antebellum‘s “Own The Night” world tour, which is selling out in Australia.
• Info on Aderra Media Works and their innovative, custom USB drives.
• Photos, international festival news and more!