Natalie Hemby, Matraca Berg, Lori McKenna
Country Radio Seminar recently announced its WCRS Live! songwriter showcase will feature Matraca Berg, Natalie Hemby and Lori McKenna. The event, sponsored by BMI and Country Aircheck, is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23 during CRS 2012 on the second floor of the Nashville Convention Center.
Berg’s songs have been cut by artists including Reba McEntire (“The Last One to Know”), Patty Loveless (“I’m That Kind of Girl”), Trisha Yearwood (“Wrong Side of Memphis”) and Martina McBride (“Wild Angels”). She has also released three albums as a solo artist, including her 2011 release, The Dreaming Fields. Hemby’s recent successes include work with Miranda Lambert (“Baggage Claim,” “Fine Tune,” “White Liar,” “Only Prettier,” “The Airstream Song,” “Virginia Bluebell”) and Eli Young Band (“Mystery in the Making,” “The Fight,” “How Quickly You Forget”). Meanwhile, McKenna has not only had cuts by Faith Hill (“Stealing Kisses,” “Fireflies,” “If You Ask”) and Tim McGraw (“I’m Workin’”), she also toured with them both. Her studio albums include Bittertown, Unglamorous and 2011’s Lorraine.
“This lineup presents a rare opportunity to experience the work of three of Nashville’s best,” says BMI Assistant VP Dan Spears. “To have Matraca Berg, Natalie Hemby and Lori McKenna sharing the same stage is incredible. But the event will also serve to highlight the vital contributions made by women throughout the music and radio industries, while acting as the perfect complement to ‘Rising Through the Ranks,’ a program that BMI pioneered with the Radio Advertising Bureau. Each year, BMI awards 25 scholarships to female radio executives to attend a Nashville workshop on executive management best practices. The tremendous success of Matraca, Natalie and Lori will be a great reminder of the enormous successes enjoyed—and driven—by women throughout our industries.”
CRS 2012 is held Feb. 22-24, 2012, in downtown Nashville, TN. $499 registration is currently available at www.CountryRadioSeminar.com.
