Gabby Barrett, Walker Hayes Among 2022 CRS ‘New Faces’ Nominees
Who should win radio's support?
Eleven of country’s brightest rising stars have been chosen as nominees for a coveted industry honor, as the Country Radio Seminar moves toward its yearly New Faces showcase.
Anointing five artists with the all-important blessing of country radio each year, the honor is seen as sign of future mass-market success, and 11 artists have been nominated for 2022. Those hopeful stars include Gabby Barrett, Priscilla Block, Blanco Brown, Callista Clark, Walker Hayes, Ryan Hurd, Parker McCollum, Niko Moon, Jameson Rodgers, Elvie Shane, and Lainey Wilson.
Capping off the annual Country Radio Seminar (CRS) each year, the CRS 2022 New Faces of Country Music Show will take place on February 25 at the Omni hotel in Nashville. It’s the final event in three days of networking for hopeful country stars with the programmers who decide what gets played on radio stations nationwide, filled with speaking panels, luncheons, workshops and more.
The five artists chosen are supposed to have already achieved “significant success” at country radio during a qualification period beforehand, and although they don’t get anything specific in return for the win, radio support is still a key to long-term success in the country genre. Virtually all of the format’s top stars are former New Faces showcase honorees.
For the past two years, the New Faces artists have been voted on by industry professionals, and this year’s voting is open from November 15-19. “Eligible voters must be full-time employees primarily involved in the programming, promotion, and distribution of country music, from the following types of companies: broadcast radio, satellite radio, television outlets, and digital service providers, while expressly excluding those with vested interests in individual artists or musical works such as labels, managers, agents, and publishers.”
“These 11 artists represent a bright future for country music,” says CRB New Faces Committee chair, Chuck Aly. “They also give this year’s voters some very difficult choices to make.”
CRS 2022 will be held February 23 through February 25, 2022. Registration is open and available for purchase at www.CountryRadioSeminar.com.
