Drake White, Maren Morris and More to Play CRS 2017 New Faces Show
Maren Morris and Drake White are just two of the artists who will be performing at the New Faces of Country Music show during the 2017 Country Radio Seminar in February. Also joining them at the annual new artist showcase will be William Michael Morgan, Jon Pardi and Granger Smith.
New Faces of Country Music serves as both a showcase of new talent and an introduction of artists who are expected to have sustainable success throughout their career in country music. The show's lineup was selected based on the votes of radio station employees across the country; during the show, the five chosen artists will have the opportunity to perform for some of the biggest players in the country music industry.
"This year’s New Faces lineup is reflective of our format’s strength and steady growth," says CRS Chairman John Crenshaw in an official press release. "I’m happy to report we received a record number of qualified votes from country radio supporting these talented artists. We believe it is going to be an amazing show."
All five artists set to perform at the 2017 New Faces of Country Music show have good reason to be there, both when it comes to their success so far and what's still ahead. Morgan, Smith, Morris and White released all their debut albums in 2016, all of which landed in the Top 10 on the Billboard charts and earned them some pretty sweet concert gigs. Smith spent his fall on the road as part of Luke Bryan's Farm Tour; White was welcomed by Zac Brown Band for their Black Out the Sun Tour; and Morris spent most of 2016 opening for (and pranking!) Keith Urban on his Ripcord World Tour. For Pardi, it was his sophomore release that debuted at No. 1 in 2016 and earned him an opening slot on Dierks Bentley's What the Hell World Tour, which kicks off in January. Additionally, Morris earned seven CMA Awards nominations -- and won New Artist of the Year -- and will embark on her first-ever headlining tour in 2017.
Artists who have played the New Faces of Country Music show in the past include the Band Perry (2011), ZBB (2009), Miranda Lambert (2007), Bentley (2004), Faith Hill and Tim McGraw (1994), Vince Gill (1985), George Strait (1982), Sam Hunt (2014), Cole Swindell (2014) and Maddie & Tae (2014). The 2015 iteration of the show show boasted Kelsea Ballerini, Cam, the Brothers Osborne, Old Dominion and Chris Janson.
The 2017 New Faces of Country Music show will take place on Feb. 24, closing out CRS 2017, which is scheduled to take place Feb. 22-24 in Nashville. More information is available on the official Country Radio Seminar website.
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