Warner Music Nashville began the 2020 Country Radio Seminar today (2/19) with its second annual kick-off luncheon, anchored by superstar and Artist Humanitarian Award honoree Kenny Chesney. The label showcased a portion of its diverse roster with stripped-down performances from Chris Janson, Michael Ray, Gabby Barrett, Cody Johnson, Shy Carter, Ashley McBryde and Chesney. WMN Chairman & CEO John Esposito welcomed radio and media friends to the event before handing the reins to the program’s emcee, SVP Radio Kristen Williams.
ACM winner and Grand Ole Opry member Chris Janson started the show with a unique acoustic take on his current Top 40 and climbing hit “Done,” and three-time chart-topping artist Michael Ray followed with his single “Her World Or Mine.” With more than one million track equivalents on her debut single, Gabby Barrett introduced herself to the packed crowd at the Omni with “I Hope.” Cody Johnson took the stage next to perform the personal lyric of “Dear Rodeo” before Shy Carter, newcomer to the WMN roster but not to the country radio charts, gave the audience a taste of his solo work with unreleased track “Good Love.” Multi-GRAMMY nominee and ACM / CMA New Artist of the Year Ashley McBryde delivered “One Night Standards,” followed by the CRB Board President Kurt Johnson’s Artist Humanitarian Award presentation (sponsored by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals) to Kenny Chesney After a heartwarming acceptance speech where he credited the unsung heroes who have helped in all his charitable endeavors, Chesney performed a three-song set that aptly included the No. 1 smash “Get Along” from his celebrated Songs for the Saints record.
