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Rimes Is Among the Thankful Artists at Country Radio Seminar

Country Music Industry Welcomes Radio Programmers During 36th Annual Convention

LeAnn Rimes moved to the front of the line to thank the people who play her music on the radio during the first full day of the 36th annual Country Radio Seminar in Nashville. Rimes' "thank you" gift was Wednesday's (March 2) concert performance during a noon luncheon at the Nashville Convention Center.

Radio management, programmers and disc jockeys from throughout the nation are in town for the event sponsored by Country Radio Broadcasters Inc. Taking place through Friday (March 4), it's the largest professional gathering of the country music industry. Artists and record labels are working overtime to wine, dine and entertain radio's decision-makers. CRS also offers a wide array of professional workshops for the attendees.

The noon concert with Rimes and new Curb/Asylum band Cowboy Crush came in the middle of the CRS artist taping sessions that allow individual radio stations to record personalized audio greetings and station identifications with artists. Wednesday night, Gretchen Wilson, Big & Rich and their comrades in the MuzikMafia will take charge at an event billed as the Music City Jam.

In addition to record label showcases at venues throughout the city, other CRS performances will feature Montgomery Gentry, Jamie O'Neal, Sara Evans and Andy Griggs. The music schedule closes Friday with the New Faces show featuring Blue County, Julie Roberts, Billy Currington, Sugarland and Josh Gracin.

At Wednesday's showcase, Cowboy Crush, a five-member female band, turned in a three-song performance aimed at getting programmers to play their debut single, "I Am Pretty." Fronted by lead vocalist Trenna Barnes, the band's energetic stage presence won them some new friends among the radio crowd.

Rimes sang seven songs, opening with her latest Top 10 single, "Nothin' 'Bout Love Makes Sense." Rimes emphasized music from her latest album, This Woman, including her next single, "Probably Wouldn't Be This Way." However, she also acknowledged her past work with performances of "How Do I Live" and her 1999 debut smash, "Blue."

"I've had an amazing 10 years," Rimes told the audience. "And I owe that to you."

View performances photos from the CRS Curb/Asylum luncheon.

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