Nashville, TN. (Top40 Charts/ Country
Radio Broadcasters) - Country
Radio Broadcasters, Inc. has announced the performers for the CRS-40 New Faces of Country
Music Show on Friday, March 6, 2009. This year's artists are Lady Antebellum,
James Otto, Kellie Pickler,
Chuck Wicks and The Zac Brown Band.
The New Faces of Country Music Show (co-sponsored by Radio and Records and The Country Music Association) is one of the most anticipated events of the annual seminar. Each year, five emerging artists that have achieved significant success at country radio during the qualification period are selected to perform. Each act plays a 20-minute set during the show, which officially closes the Country Radio Seminar every year.
"The New Faces of Country Music show is always one of the highlights at CRS," says CRB President Becky Brenner. "We're excited to present some of the most promising young stars each year to the radio and music industry attendees, and this year looks to have another impressive lineup."
Lady Antebellum is comprised of members Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood. Formed in 2006, the group signed with Capitol Nashville in 2007 and released its first single, "Love Don't Live Here," off their self-titled debut album. The group recently won New Artist of the Year at the 2008 CMA Awards and was nominated for two 2009 Grammy Awards: Best New Artist and Best Country Performance By A Duo or Group with Vocals.
James Otto's "Just Got Started Lovin' You" was recently named Billboard's No. 1 Hot Country Song for 2008 and was nominated for a 2009 Grammy in the Best Male Country Vocal Performance category. The song is Otto's first single off his Warner Bros. Records debut album, Sunset Man, which remained in the Top 5 on Billboard's Country Albums Chart for its first six weeks.
BNA Records artist Kellie Pickler first appeared on the country music scene in the 2005 season of "American Idol." Since then, she has seen her first two albums debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart. Her self-titled sophomore effort features the hit single, "Don't You Know You're Beautiful."
Chuck Wicks released his Top Ten single, "Stealing Cinderella," after signing with RCA Records in 2007. His debut album, Starting Now, was released in early 2008 and the follow-up single, "All I Ever Wanted," broke into the Top 20.
The Zac Brown Band sold more than 30,000 CDs independently before signing with Atlantic Records earlier this year. The Atlanta-based band is known for their dedicated grassroots following, and their major label debut, The Foundation, was released Nov. 18. The first single, "Chicken Fried," has been steadily climbing the charts.
Artists at the New Faces of Country Music show are selected by the country radio registrants who attended the previous year's Country Radio Seminar. Attendees were asked to vote for five participants from the ballot. The Nashville-based firm of Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc. audited the votes.
CRS-40 will be held March 4-6, 2009 at the Nashville Convention Center. Complete seminar information may be obtained by contacting CRB, Inc. at 615.327.4487 or by visiting www.crb.org. The earlybird registration rate of $499 ends Dec. 15.
