The country radio industry gathered in Nashville last week for the annual event
The 2025 Country Radio Seminar (CRS) wrapped last Friday (Feb 21st) in Nashville at the Omni hotel. Over three days, the country radio format’s on-air talent, program directors, sales managers, and more got together to learn and share with each other.
During CRS, country music record labels shared the latest from their artists with the gathered broadcasters during luncheons and late-night sessions. Warner Music Nashville put on a showcase that featured all newer artists on the come-up thanks to country radio. A particular highlight during their luncheon was Tyler Braden, who announced his impending freshman full-length album from the CRS stage.
Also during the Warner Music Luncheon, Avery Anna stunned the crowd with vocals on two songs. Both are forthcoming on a project inspired by letters her fans wrote her about their relationships. She even put easter eggs from the letters in the songs so that those fans will know she’s speaking directly to them. That’s the power of being a new artist in country music: having the ability to connect as directly as possible with fans as you bring them aboard.
Lanie Gardner wowed the crowd during her set at Amazon Music Presents Country Heat Live. Jordan Davis headlined that showcase with six songs, including “Tuscon Too Late” and the Greylan James-penned “Next Thing You Know.” Lanie returned to the stage the next night to party with her label, Broken Bow Records, during their traditional Decades Party.
At the BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville’s Decades Party, Lainey Wilson and Jelly Roll surprised the crowd with Bon Jovi and Garth Brooks covers, respectively. Always a highlight, rather than have artists showcase new songs going for adds at radio, they come on and cover a favorite from decades past that inspired them.
Thursday afternoon saw the return of UMG’s Live at the Ryman series. Unlike last year, this year returned to the show’s roots: an acoustic showcase where each artist is allowed only two players maximum on stage. Ringo Starr–who just released his own country album–surprised the crowd to kick things off. Dierks Bentley, Josh Ross, Tucker Wetmore and more artists showcased their latest soon-to-be or recently released singles. Brothers Osborne brought a boot-stomping new tune called “Soon As I Finish This Drink” to the showcase that earned a standing ovation. Eric Church closed the event with a breathtaking new number, “Johnny,” in which he anoints the devil-defeating fiddler the only one who can beat the woes of the modern world. Joined by a choir at the foot of the Mother Church’s stage, he grabbed the attention of the room in a way usually unfamiliar to Church: with the quiet beauty of the song.
The final day saw the BMLG Luncheon. The anticipation was for Rascal Flatts to mark their reunion by joining the label’s showcase as headliner. And they did. But the undiscovered gem of the night was by far Preston Cooper. Cooper, a recent signee joining labelmate Riley Green on tour this summer, earned the loudest and longest ovation of the night with “Weak.” He was the only artist–among legends and newcomers alike–to earn a full-room standing ovation at the BMLG event. He closed out his set with the unreleased “One for the Road.” My sources say it should be out sometime this spring. And at that time, we’ll release our CRS-recorded interview with Preston himself.
Of course, CRS wouldn’t be CRS without the New Faces banquet, also featuring the CRB Aircheck Awards. All the acts did exceptionally well, and are on track to become the class of the mid-two-thousand-twenties. Warren Zeiders proved why I pegged him as a future superstar three years ago.
Ashley Cooke brought out superstar Joe Jonas for their just-dropped collaboration, “All I Forgot.” She also impressed with a new tune, “The F Word,” which features a unique play on the titular phrase.
Zach Top’s rise is proof that mainstream country’s decade-long return to the neo traditional sounds is nearly complete. He ran through five songs in his set, opening with the earworm “Sounds Like the Radio,” offering breakup tune “Never Lie” and the throwback cheating song “Use Me.” An unassuming stage presence, he plays electric guitar like Alan Jackson while standing as still as George Strait.
Heck, he’s so down to earth, fans have been known to encounter Zach Top on Lower Broadway playing pool. But I have a feeling that kind of downtime will be very limited very soon. He already needs to play small arenas later this year to make up for demand from his upcoming sold-out spring tour. That’s only after he gets off the road with Dierks Bentley. From the underground world of social media fame to the mainstream of country radio at lightning speed. That’s one thing he and fellow New Faces 2025 star Warren Zeiders have in common, but I digress.
Top closed his set–and all of CRS–with “Cold Beer and Country Music.” And that’s a song title that could very well describe the three days of fellowship, learning, listening, and networking that keeps the country radio industry coming back to descend on Nashville year after year after year.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
