Performance to honor Brooks & Dunn

(Nashville, TN – Feb. 16, 2010) Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. has announced Dierks Bentley will perform at the 2010 Country Music DJ and Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at 6 p.m. in the Nashville Convention Center.

Bentley will perform an acoustic tribute to Brooks & Dunn, who will receive CRB’s Career Achievement Award at the ceremony and dinner held inside the Convention Center Ballroom (Rooms 204-206).  The legendary duo plan to retire after their “Last Rodeo” tour ends in August 2010.

A longtime fan of Brooks & Dunn, Bentley traveled Down Under to tour with the pair in May 2009 on their Australian tour.  On the closing night of their tour in Sydney, both Brooks & Dunn and Bentley were awarded the CMA’s International Artist Achievement Award for their contributions to Country music outside the United States.

“Kix and Ronnie are the original modern day honkytonkers.  A lot of acts playing down on Lower Broadway try to emulate those guys,” said Bentley. “When we toured together, I watched their show every night from side-stage in total awe of the number of hits they’ve had and what they’ve built over the last few decades.  They’ve done it all.  I still can’t believe they’re about to retire.  In true B&D fashion, I have no doubt they’ll go out in a BIG way and leave us wanting more.  I’m honored the CRB asked me to help recognize them and their huge contribution to our format.”

Adds R.J. Curtis, Chairman of the Country Music DJ and Radio Hall of Fame, “Dierks Bentley is one of Country’s brightest young stars, and an artist that certainly appreciates the legacy that Brooks & Dunn has left for others to follow.  We expect Dierks to give an entertaining and fitting performance as we honor Brooks & Dunn with our Career Achievement Award.”

Bill Bailey, Laurie DeYoung and Rudy Fernandez are this year’s 2010 Country Music DJ inductees, while Cy Blumenthal, Dan Halyburton and Michael Hammond will be inducted into the Country Music Radio Hall of Fame.  Charlie Cook will receive the CRB President’s Award.

Ticket prices for the Hall of Fame ceremony are $90 for CRS registrants.  Non-registrant advance tickets are $100, and the on-site rate is $125.  Tickets are on sale now at www.CRB.org.

The Country Music DJ Hall of Fame (founded in 1974) is dedicated to the recognition of those individuals who have made significant contributions to the Country radio industry over a 20-year period.  Induction into the Country Music Radio Hall of Fame (founded in 2000) follows the same 20-year criteria.

Tickets are available for invited guests of inductees, sponsors and Country Radio Seminar registrants.  Contact the CRB office at 615-327-4487 for updated ticket information and availability.

About CRB:
The Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization founded in 1969 to bring radio broadcasters from around the world together with the Country Music Industry to ensure vitality and promote growth in the Country Radio format.  More information may be obtained at: www.crb.org or at the CRB office at 615-327-4487.

Brooks & Dunn to Deliver Special Announcement

(Nashville, TN. – Jan. 28, 2010) Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc.® has announced the talent lineup for the Sony Music Nashville luncheon at CRS 2010, to be held Feb. 24-26, 2010.

Thursday’s luncheon, held on Feb. 25 from 12:30 – 2:20 p.m in the CMA Performance Hall, will include performances from Alan Jackson and Danny Gokey, plus a special announcement from Brooks & Dunn.

“This is the ‘iLunch’,” laughs Sony Music Nashville VP Marketing and CRB Board member Tom Baldrica. “We have an Idol in Danny Gokey, an Icon in Alan Jackson, and the Intrigue of a special Brooks & Dunn announcement.  Sounds like the recipe for an unforgettable lunch!”

“Country Radio Broadcasters is extremely excited to announce such great talent at the Sony Music Nashville luncheon in our newly renovated CMA Performance Hall,” adds CRB President Becky Brenner.  “This update is just one of the numerous upgrades and special events that attendees will find memorable at CRS 2010 as we launch into a whole new decade!”

The $599 Regular Rate and $99 Unemployment Rate registrations for CRS 2010 expire Jan 31, 2010.  The full price On-Site Rate begins Feb. 1.

About Alan Jackson:
Arista Nashville superstar Alan Jackson has become one of the most awarded, respected, and successful artists of his generation, selling more than 50 million albums and amassing a whopping 34 #1 singles, 24 of which he wrote.  After adding another trio of chart-toppers to that tally with 2008’s acclaimed Good Time collection, the GRAMMY and 16-time ACM and CMA award-winner is set to release his 18th album, Freight Train, on March 30, featuring his new smash single, “It’s Just That Way.”  Visit www.AlanJackson.com for more information.

About Danny Gokey:
Danny Gokey became a favorite of millions of fans nationwide as a finalist on Season Eight of American Idol, and the Milwaukee native and 19 Recordings/RCA Nashville recording artist is now poised to release his debut album, My Best Days, on March 2.  Danny is already making new fans everywhere with the album’s feel-good first hit single, “My Best Days Are Ahead of Me.”  Danny credits his late wife, Sophia, with the inspiration to pursue his musical dreams on Idol, and he continues to honor her with the charitable work of the Sophia’s Heart Foundation, founded in her memory.  For more information, visit www.DannyGokey.com.

About CRS:
The Country Radio Seminar is an annual convention designed to educate and promote the exchange of ideas in the country music industry.  Country Radio Seminar is a registered trademark of Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc.  CRS 2010 will be held Feb. 24-26, 2010 in Nashville, Tenn.  Register at www.CRB.org or by contacting the Country Radio Broadcasters at 615-327-4487.

About CRB:
The Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. ® is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization founded in 1969 to bring radio broadcasters from around the world together with the Country Music Industry to ensure vitality and promote growth in the Country Radio format.  More information may be obtained at: www.CRB.org or at the CRB office at 615-327-4487.

(Nashville, TN – Jan. 4, 2010) Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc.® has announced Brooks & Dunn as this year’s CRB Career Achievement Award winner and Charlie Cook as the CRB President’s Award winner.

Both awards will be presented at the Country Music DJ and Radio Hall of Fame Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010, at the Renaissance Ballroom in downtown Nashville.  The event serves as the unofficial kick-off to Country Radio Seminar each year.

The Career Achievement Award is presented to an individual artist or act that has made a significant contribution to the development and promotion of Country music and Country radio through their creativity, vision, performance or leadership.

“Brooks & Dunn has spent the last 20 years giving Country fans and Country radio amazing music and incredible live shows,” says CRB President Becky Brenner.  “They have been terrific ambassadors for Country music worldwide.  We thank them for allowing us to present this Career Achievement Award during the year of their ‘Last Rodeo.’”

The President’s Award is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the marketing, production, growth and development of the Country Radio Seminar and the multiple services that Country Radio Broadcasters provides to the Country radio and music communities.

“Charlie Cook’s creativity and passion for Country radio and Country music have helped to generate success for many radio stations and organizations in our industry, such as the CRB, CMA and the ACM,” said Brenner.  “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to honor this great man, and it is only fitting that we recognize these contributions with our President’s Award.”

Additional inductees honored at this year’s ceremony include Bill Bailey, Laurie DeYoung and Rudy Fernandez (Country Music DJ Hall of Fame) and Cy Blumenthal, Dan Halyburton and Michael Hammond (Country Music Radio Hall of Fame).

Tickets to the Country Music DJ and Radio Hall of Fame Dinner and Awards Ceremony are $90 with CRS registration.  Single tickets may be purchased for $100.  Please contact the Country Radio Broadcasters at 615-327-4487 or visit www.CRB.org to purchase tickets.

About Charlie Cook:
Charlie Cook’s radio career began at WMBN in Michigan in 1970.  His first position in Country radio came in 1972 as Program Director at WSDS in Ypsilanti, Mich.  Subsequent stops included Denver, Colo. (KLAK), Wheeling, W.Va (WWVA), New York (WHN), Miami, Fla. (WGBS) and Los Angeles (KHJ and KLAC).  Cook received Billboard’s Country Personality of the Year award in 1977 for his work at WWVA.

In 1984, Cook began a 14-year tenure with McVay Media, where he assumed the role of Junior Partner.  In 1996, he joined WW1 and for the next 10 years worked at Westwood One as GM and VP of Programming of the Culver City and Valencia, Calif. offices.   After a stint with Cumulus in Atlanta, Ga., Cook returned to McVay Media in 2008.  While consulting for Go Country (KKGO) in Los Angeles, he was appointed Sr. Manager Country Programming along with his McVay duties.  Cook also hosts United Stations Radio Networks’ “The Road.”

Cook has served as CRS Agenda Chairman and CRB President during his 20+ years as a CRB board member.  He currently serves on the Board of Directors at both the CMA and ACM and has served as Chairman of the Board and President of the ACM.  He is also on the Los Angeles branch of the Board of Directors for the TJ Martell Foundation.

About Brooks & Dunn:
Brooks & Dunn debuted on the Country charts in 1991 with the single “Brand New Man.”  Over the next 20 years, their career would include chart-toppers such as “Neon Moon,” “My Next Broken Heart,” “Husbands and Wives,” “Ain’t Nothing ‘Bout You,” “Only in America” and “Red Dirt Road.”  The duo has charted more than 50 singles, released 10 studio albums, two greatest hits collections and a Christmas album.  Two of their 23 No. 1 hits, “My Maria” and “Ain’t Nothing ‘Bout You,” were named Billboard’s No. 1 Country Single of the Year in 1996 and 2001, respectively.

Brooks & Dunn has sold more than 30 million albums and won 80 major industry awards in their career.  Among those are 19 Country Music Association awards, including Entertainer of the Year in 1996.  They have won CMA’s Vocal Duo honor every year from 1992-2006, except for 2000.  Their hit, “Believe,” won Single and Video of the Year in 2006.  They have collected five American Music Awards for Favorite Country Band, Duo or Group and two Grammys for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for “My Maria” and “Hard Workin’ Man.”  They are the most awarded of any act in the history of the Academy of Country Music, capturing 26 ACM trophies in all, including three Entertainer of the Year titles.

With the release of 2009’s  #1s …and then some, Brooks & Dunn announced their retirement as a duo following their 2010 tour, dubbed “The Last Rodeo.”

About CRS:
The Country Radio Seminar is an annual convention designed to educate and promote the exchange of ideas in the country music industry.  Country Radio Seminar is a registered trademark of Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc.  CRS 2010 will be held Feb. 24-26, 2010 in Nashville, Tenn.  Regular Rate registration expires Jan. 31 and is currently available online at www.CRB.org or by contacting the Country Radio Broadcasters at 615-327-4487. Follow CRS 2010 on Facebook, or on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/OfficialCRS.

About CRB:
The Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. ® is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization founded in 1969 to bring radio broadcasters from around the world together with the Country Music Industry to ensure vitality and promote growth in the Country Radio format.  More information may be obtained at: www.CRB.org or at the CRB office at 615-327-4487.

Riders ipod Superstars Carrie Underwood, Brooks & Dunn Among Those Already Confirmed

(Nashville, TN – November 16, 2009)  In the latest evolution of the Country Radio Seminar experience, Country Radio Broadcasters has announced a new digital liners system that replaces the on-site Artist Radio Taping Session at CRS.

The new digital process enables radio stations to submit their custom liner requests directly to CRB, which will deliver the liners to a specific list of registered artists on the station’s behalf.  The artists will then record digital versions and return them to Country Radio Broadcasters.  Radio stations will pick up their disc of liners when they arrive at CRS registration.  Stations must register for the new system by Dec. 18, 2009 (the CRS 41 Advance Rate deadline) to submit custom requests.  Stations that have already registered for CRS are automatically included.

“With this new and improved digital system, Country Radio Broadcasters has used today’s technological advances to provide radio with liners of the highest possible quality.  At the same time, we are providing artists with an opportunity to record those liners in a manner that will work with their busy schedules,” says CRB Board Member John Zarling, who is overseeing the digital transition along with fellow Board Member Clarence Spalding.  “If the caliber and diversity of artists already confirmed is any indication, CRS 41 is poised to deliver an amazing package of liners for our registrants.”

Turner & Hooch divx

The first 150 stations to sign up for the new digital liners system will be given priority access to the participating artists.  Artists already confirmed include: Jason Aldean, Rodney Atkins, The Band Perry, Brooks & Dunn, Jason Michael Carroll, Carter’s Chord, Terri Clark, Whitney Duncan, Sara Evans, Fast Ryde, Pat Green, Jewel, Blaine Larsen, The Lost Trailers, Justin Moore, Craig Morgan, Mica Roberts, Steel Magnolia, Carrie Underwood, Jimmy Wayne, Chuck Wicks, Mark Wills, Gretchen Wilson and Darryl Worley.

For specific radio attendee inquiries, contact Kristen McCrary at 615-327-4487 or Kristen@CRB.org.  For specific artist inquiries, contact Chasity Crouch at 615-327-4487 or Chasity@CRB.org.  For more information about the new digital liners system, visit www.CRB.org/crs41/digitalliners/index.shtml.

About CRB:
The Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. ® is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization founded in 1969 to bring radio broadcasters from around the world together with the Country Music Industry to ensure vitality and promote growth in the Country Radio format.  More information may be obtained at:
Abbott and Costello in Who Done It? movie
www.CRB.org or at the CRB office at 615-327-4487.

About CRS:
The Country Radio Seminar is an annual convention designed to educate and promote the exchange of ideas in the country music industry.  Country Radio Seminar is a registered trademark of Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc.  CRS 41 will be held Feb. 24-26, 2010 in Nashville, Tenn.  Advance Rate registration expires Dec. 18 and is currently available online at www.CRB.org or by contacting the Country Radio Broadcasters at 615-327-4487. Follow CRS 41 on Facebook, or on Twitter at
www.Twitter.com/OfficialCRS.