CRS is a seminar packed with great entertainment. If you must attend seminars, this is a good one to be a part of. Along with the usual forums and panels on various behind the scenes information required to keep a radio station running, the industry also calls for top entertainment as well. Different labels hold showcases of their artists and along with their top names, they also take the opportunity to introduce up-and-coming artists for their label in the hopes that radio will embrace them.


Sony was one of the labels to sponsor a luncheon to showcase their newer artists. After a buffet lunch, top Sony corporate people gave a short talk on their label, the direction they see themselves headed and a thank you for the industry that plays the music and allows the artists to continue to grow. Then it was time for the entertainment, and there were no holds barred for that.

The show was kicked off by an introduction video from new artist Ashley Monroe. It had her single playing in the background while they ran a short bio of where she is from and where she is headed. If the single is any indication, we should be hearing more from her.

And then Van Zant took the stage to the cheers of the crowd. If anyone is able to sit calmly through a Van Zant performance, there is something just not right. Brothers Donnie and Johnny are rockers turned country. They know how to entertain, and their music is a solid southern country rock approach. They wowed the crowd with songs like ?Help Somebody,? ?My Kind of Country? and encored with ?Sweet Home Alabama? which brought them into the audience with their microphones letting the fans help them sing.

After a 7 song set, they made way for Miranda Lambert.

Miranda is a talented newcomer and her single, ?Kerosene? is burning up the charts as a real fan favorite. She did a 7 song set as well, including her current hit single, ?What About Georgia? and she showcased some songs she?s written. I was not able to stay for her entire set as I had other obligations, but Miranda was definitely enjoying herself onstage.

It was an excellent way to spend a lunch hour.