Issue 581 - December 18, 2017 by Country Aircheck

Issue 581 - December 18, 2017

COUNTRY

RCHECK

HAPPY HOLIDAYS • December 18, 2017, Issue 581

An Early Walk Through CRS

Seven weeks from now, the Country music business will gather for its most important annual event. Education, debate, networking and a lot of music will make CRS 2018 (Feb. 5-7) the latest critical chapter in an almost 50-year run for the seminar. “Every year is different,” says CRB Executive Director Bill Mayne. “We strive to make the content relevant.” In a short attention span world, one of the most important innovations in recent years has been a more focused presentation. Mayne reports attendee feedback has confirmed compressing from the old four-day Bill Mayne event into two and a half was the right move. “And getting away from the weekends is key,” he adds. “We know folks want their weekends.” The shortened schedule also cuts down the number of hotel room nights from four to three. “Everyone can travel Monday morning and not miss anything,” Mayne explains. “The cost of doing business in Nashville has gone up and we didn’t want to increase prices moving from the Renaissance to the Omni.” So far so good, as attendance is trending up. “Our advance registration numbers are ahead of last year,” Mayne says. A Walking Tour: Opening ceremonies will include a moment of silence paying respect to victims of Route 91 Harvest. The Artist Humanitarian Award will be presented to Dierks Bentley, with the Tom Rivers Award honoring Dan Halyburton. “Dierks is a great guy and he works his ass off,” says Mayne. “What Danny has done with the Red Cross, especially this year with the hurricanes and wildfires, is exceptional.” This year’s Welcome Reception at the Country Music Hall of Fame will include museum tours and, after seven years, there will be no Opry-sponsored event the first night. The evening’s music will have a new sponsor, soon to be announced. Look for dynamic video, special effects and product giveaways.

Cloud Nine: The Capitol promotion team celebrate their ninth consecutive year as the No. 1 chart-share label. Pictured (clockwise from top left) are Brent Jones, Jason McColl, Ashley Laws, Megan Youngblood, Mara Sidweber, Bobby Young and Annie Sandor.

The Year In Music: 2017

Sam Hunt’s “Body Like A Backroad” was the most-heard song at Country radio this year. Blake Shelton was the top overall and male artist, Maren Morris was the top female artist, Florida Georgia Line were the top duo/ group, Luke Combs was the top new artist and Capitol earned a record ninth consecutive (continued on page 7) Label of the Year crown. Look for full coverage

Sam Hunt

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