(Nashville, Tenn. – Oct. 1, 2012) Only 30 days remain to take advantage of Country Radio Seminar’s $399 Early Bird Rate.  CRS 2013 is held Feb. 27 – March 1, 2013 in downtown, Nashville, Tenn. 

Highlights from the CRS 2013 agenda include two major research presentations (sponsored by CMA and CRS), three label luncheons and performances (UMG, Capitol/EMI, Black River Entertainment) the WCRS Live! (sponsored by BMI/Country Aircheck) and KCRS Live! (sponsored by ASCAP/City National) showcases, more than 20 educational panels and industry-leading speakers, the CRS keynote address, the popular New Faces of Country Music Dinner and Performance (co-sponsored by MDA and ACM) and a special, unprecedented gift to the Country music industry.

New items on the CRS 2013 agenda include a daily, featured speaker every morning and a programmer’s breakfast, in addition to the seminar’s already established manager’s breakfast.

Previously announced presentation speakers include broadcast consultant and talent coach Valerie Geller(Geller Media International), brand management and social media marketing pro Jeff James and talent experts from The Center For Sales Strategy, Beth and Matt Sunshine.  The previously announced CRS core moderators are Ken Boesen (Operations Manager, WKIS/Miami), Beverlee Brannigan (Operations Manager, Journal Broadcast Group/Milwaukee), Dan Halyburton (Business Development at Texas State Network, CBS Radio/Dallas), Todd Schumacher (VP/Market Manager, Cox Media Group/Louisville) and Matt Sunshine(Executive VP, The Center For Sales Strategy/Plano).

The CRS 2013 agenda is available online at www.CountryRadioSeminar.com.  More agenda and event details will be announced in the coming weeks.

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.  $399 Early Bird Registration is now available through Oct. 31.  Visit www.CountryRadioSeminar.com for more information.

View the official CRS 2012 online photo gallery at www.flickr.com/AristoPR

The 2012 inductees to the Country Radio Hall of Fame, held Tuesday, Feb. 21, as the unofficial kick-off to CRS 2012.  L to R: CRS President Mike Culotta, inductees Eddie Stubbs, Ron Rogers, Beverlee Brannigan, Rusty Walker, Bill Whyte, Moby, CRS President’s Award winner Bob Kingsley, CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne.  (Not pictured: CRS Lifetime Achievement Award winner Glen Campbell).  Photo: Bev Moser.

Rascal Flatts accepted the CRS 2012 Artist Humanitarian of the Year award on Wednesday, Feb. 22, following the seminar’s opening ceremonies.  Photo: Bev Moser.

Songwriter showcase KCRS Live! featured hit songwriters and artists.  Pictured L to R:  Jim Collins, Andy Gibson, Aaron Lewis, Bobby Pinson.  Photo: Bev Moser.

L to R: Marc Chase, Leslie Fram, Lance Tidwell and Tom Baldrica led the “Show Me Your Hits” panel at CRS 2012 on Friday, Feb. 24.  Photo: Bev Moser.

Performers at the annual New Faces of Country Music Show, co-sponsored by MDA and ACM, closed out CRS 2012 on Friday night, Feb. 24, at the Nashville Convention Center.  Pictured L to R, top row: Jon Jones (Eli Young Band), Mike Eli (Eli Young Band), Sunny Sweeney, James Young (Eli Young Band), Chris Thompson (Eli Young Band).  Bottom row, L to R: CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne, David Nail, Hunter Hayes, CRS President Mike Culotta. (Not pictured: New Faces performers Thompson Square). Photo: Bev Moser.

(Nashville, Tenn. – Feb. 22, 2012) The 2012 class of the Country Radio Hall of Fame was officially inducted last night, Feb. 22, at a sold-out ceremony and dinner held inside the Nashville Convention Center.

Beverlee Brannigan, Ron Rogers and Rusty Walker were inducted in the Radio category, while Moby, Eddie Stubbs and Bill Whyte were the three On-Air category inductees.  Other awards presented during the ceremony included the CRS Career Achievement Award, given to Glen Campbell (not in attendance) and the CRS President’s Award, presented to Bob Kingsley.

The Country Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremonies unofficially kick off Country Radio Seminar each year.  For more information, visit www.CRB.org.

Pictured below, the 2012 class of the Country Radio Hall of Fame.  L to R: CRS President Mike Culotta, Eddie Stubbs, Ron Rogers, Beverlee Brannigan, Rusty Walker, Bill Whyte, Moby, Bob Kingsley, CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne.    Photo: Bev Moser

(Nashville, Tenn. – Oct. 24, 2011) Beverlee Brannigan, Moby, Ron Rogers, Eddie Stubbs, Rusty Walker and Bill Whyte are the 2012 Country Radio Hall of Fame inductees.

Beverlee Brannigan, Ron Rogers and Rusty Walker are the 2012 Radio category inductees, and Moby, Eddie Stubbs and Bill Whyte are the On-Air category inductees.  The class of 2012 will be officially inducted at a dinner ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012, at 6 p.m. CST inside the Nashville Convention Center. 

The Country Radio Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony unofficially kicks off Country Radio Seminar each year.  Lucchese Boots is a proud sponsor of the 2012 Country Radio Hall of Fame and will be providing each inductee this year with a custom made pair of Lucchese Boots.

The Country Radio Hall of Fame is dedicated to the recognition of those individuals who have made significant contributions to the radio industry over a 20-year period, 15 of which must be in the Country format.  CRS 2012 is held Feb. 22-24, 2012, at the Nashville Convention Center.  Visit www.CountryRadioSeminar.com for more information about CRS and the Country Radio Hall of Fame.

About the 2012 Radio Inductees:

Beverlee Brannigan – Beverlee Brannigan’s career began at the college radio station at Northwestern University.  She joined WOKQ as an air personality, and in 1979 became the Program Director/personality for KJJY, where she enjoyed tremendous success for the next 20 years.  Brannigan also programmed stations KRUU, KHKI and KMXM.  Since 2003, she has served as Operations Manager for six stations in Wichita and Program Director for three, including market leader KFDI, which won CMA Station of the Year in 2003.  Brannigan is widely considered by the industry to be a trailblazer for women in Country Radio programming.

Ron Rogers – Ron Rogers began his broadcasting career at KTBC AM-FM-TV while a student at the University of Texas.  His lengthy career spans the entire spectrum of the radio business.  He has held positions as Program Director at WACO, Sales Manager at KNOW, General Manager at KOKE, and President/Co-Owner at KLAW, KVET and KASE.  He has served on numerous industry and community boards and is the recipient of several broadcasting and community awards.  He was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame in 2004.

Rusty Walker – Rusty Walker has either programmed, advised, created, consulted, overseen, served as a strategic partner or performed as an air personality for more than 750 Country radio stations since he started his radio career in 1970.  In total, there are fewer Country stations in rated markets that Walker hasn’t worked with than those he has.  A few of his personality and Program Director stints include: WQYK, WQIK, WZZK and KFKF.  He has been recognized with numerous national industry and community awards, including a seven-year consecutive run as Billboard’s Consultant of the Year.  His program consulting firm, Rusty Walker Programming, remains one of the industry’s most influential.

About the 2012 On-Air Inductees:

Moby – Moby is a 40-year veteran air personality whose career began at the age of 15 in his hometown of Crossville, Tenn.  For 10 years, he was a major force in the Rock format every morning in Houston and Dallas (KSSR, KLOL, KEGL).  Moby then moved to Atlanta and WKHX, where he proceeded to win a major morning battle in the Country format and enjoy success for the next decade.  Moby is the recipient of numerous national Air Personality awards, including winning Billboard’s Major Market Country Morning Show of the Year five times.  He formed his own syndication company in 2004 and continues today to be heard on Country stations around the nation.

Eddie Stubbs – Celebrated air personality Eddie Stubbs has been the longest tenured evening host on Nashville’s legendary 650AM WSM since the station went to an all Country format in 1979.  He is recognized nationally as the announcer of the Grand Ole Opry, a position he has held for more than 16 years.  He also serves as the on camera announcer for the Marty Stuart Show on RFD-TV and serves on the CMA and IBMA committees.  He won the CMA Large Market Broadcast Personality of the Year award in 2002.  Stubbs is well respected among his peers for his vast knowledge of the history of Country music. 

Bill Whyte – Bill started his career as a teenager on KCPR, “Kow Pasture Country Radio,” in Missouri.  His career spans successes at WUBE, WMIL, WSM-FM and WFMS.  He has won multiple national Air Personality awards, hosted syndicated shows, and is also a singer-songwriter. He has won numerous broadcast awards including the CMA Award for Best Large Market Personality.  He’s been nominated for a CMA Award twice and won an AIR Award for best new Morning Show in Nashville.

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 2012 will be held Feb. 22-24, 2012, 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.  Connect with CRS via Twitter or on Facebook.