George Birge, Megan Moroney, Conner Smith, Dillon Carmichael And Corey Kent proved their superstar status during the New Faces of Country Music showcase at the 2024 Country Radio Seminar (CRS) on Friday, March 1.
CRS 2024 New Faces of Country Music
CRS New Faces Of Country Music Show, sponsored by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Academy Of Country Music, was hosted in the Broadway Ballroom at the Omni Nashville Hotel. The event shined a spotlight on five emerging artists who achieved “notable success on Country Radio” between November 1, 2022, and October 31, 2023.
Seven nominees determined by Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB) were narrowed down to the five honorees from votes by “full-time employees primarily involved in the programming, promotion, and distribution of country music,” including professionals from broadcast radio, satellite radio, television outlets, and digital service providers.
This year, George Birge, Megan Moroney, Conner Smith, Dillon Carmichael and Corey Kent were hand-picked as the 2024 New Faces Of Country Music class. Each artist expressed their gratitude to country radio and admitted that they were nervous for this career-defining moment.
Corey Kent
The 2024 CRS New Faces of Country Music show kicked off with Sony Music Nashville/RCA recording artist, Corey Kent. Before taking the stage, Kent, one of the five honorees, shared a video featuring his wife, Dayna Lou, and their three children – daughters Steelie and Capri, and son Canyon. In the clip, Kent began by graciously thanking Country radio for “helping us to deliver the biggest axe blow we’ve ever had” with his massive viral hit, “Wild As Her” before assuring that “there will be many more [hits] to come.”
He then talked how he incorporates his family into his career and opened up about his journey to finding life-changing success at country radio with them by his side.
“I feel like this has been a team effort of trying to find this balance of real life and building a dream,” Kent said, narrating the clip. “For them to still be in my corner to that extent… it gets me choked up.”
Corey Kent stepped onto the stage and kicked off his four-song performance with “Gold,” a track from his sophomore album, ‘21.
He also performed “Wild As Her,” his breakthrough viral hit and first ever No. 1 hit at Country radio, as well as “Something’s Gonna Kill Me,” before which he offered a motivational message to the audience.
“If you know anything about me, you know this. I believe tomorrow isn’t guaranteed and what you do today matters. What we do tonight is take a few risks… You either getting busy living or you’re getting busy dying,” he said. Kent then effortlessly displayed his gritty, unique vocals while belting out the lyrics to his latest release, “This Heart,” which is destined to be a chart-topping hit in no time and has already amassed tens of million streams since its debut.
“This Heart” will impact Country radio later this month.
George Birge
Records Nashville signee George Birge was up next to showcase his impressive talents with the country music industry. He was virtually introduced by Parker McCollum, who he is currently on the road with. Since Birge was unable to serve as support on McCollum’s Friday evening (Mar. 1) concert in South Carolina on the Burn It Down Tour, as he was being featured on the New Faces of Country Music show, McCollum sent in a video to be played before Birge took to the stage.
The clip featured a congratulatory message for the singer, who just achieved his first-ever No. 1 hit at country radio with “Mind on You,” which he performed during the show. Following McCollum’s introduction, Birge shared his story with the crowd via a video displayed on the massive screens that were hung on each side of the stage.
“I know this is New Faces, and I also know that I’m probably not a new face to a lot of you guys in this room. It’s been a really long journey to get here. From starting playing music in Austin at 14 with X’s on my hand on 6th street to finally making the jump to Nashville almost ten years ago now,” Birge began. “This has always been a dream that meant the world to me, and I had so many supporters in you guys along the way.”
He also recalled the special bond he shared with his dad listening to music on the airwaves growing up, and the moment he now gets to cherish with his two kids when they get to hear “daddy’s voice” on the radio.
“I remember growing up being in the truck with my dad and listening to the radio, you know five years old I was introduced to it. The voices coming through those speakers were just larger than life, and they were telling stories that I wanted to be a part of, and that I could visualize in my head and that was always magic to me, and it was always something that I wanted to be a part of,” Birge explained. “Now, you guys have given my kids that same opportunity when we’re in the car to hear their dad on the radio and have it be that pure magic of ‘wow, this is really happening’ and that’s a gift I could never thank you enough for.”
The brief video also featured George Birge’s wife, Kara, and their two sons, George and Luke, who announced him to the stage. As the black curtains opened, Birge launched into “Hard On The Bottle” and the song that change his life, “Mind On You.”
In addition to performing his recent chart-topping hit and “Hard On The Bottle,” he also performed an unreleased song titled “Damn Right I Do,” and his current single, “Cowboy Songs.”
Conner Smith
Nashville native and Valory Music star Conner Smith shared his journey to the New Faces show with the audience via video footage. The clips featured personal family memories, childhood performances (singing hits by Kenny Chesney and Montgomery Gentry), his Grand Ole Opry debut in May of 2022 (where he received a standing ovation), a quick cameo from Mark Cuban, as well as several clips of sold-out crowds belting out the lyrics to his tunes.
“My whole life has been about Country music. Since I was 6 years old, I fell in love with the magic of what it meant to write a country song,” Smith said, voicing the clip. ”To use three chords and tell a story that can cut through in a way nothing else can. CRS thank you so much for the way you guys have welcomed me, it means more than y’all know.”
Smith took to the stage for his high-energy performance with the title track to his recently-released full-length debut album, Smoky Mountains. Witnessing his own dreams coming true in real time, Conner Smith recalled attending the New Faces of Country Music show several times throughout his life and praying to one day be on the New Faces stage.
“I would always watch and just pray that I would get a chance to be on this stage. It means so much more than you know,” Smith humbly shared with the capacity CRS crowd, which included his proud mother, Jennifer Vickey Smith, and his soon-to-be wife, Leah Thompson.
After singing the opening verse to “Smoky Mountains,” the country star then transitioned into “Baby, I,” during which he showcased his unique country sound that fans across the world adore. He later turned up the heart with a rowdy performance of “Heatin’ Up,” which allowed him to show off his impressive stage presence.
Smith also performed “Roulette On The Heart,” sans his duet partner Hailey Whitters, and ended his set with his current Top 10 single at Country radio, “Creek Will Rise.”
Additionally, Conner Smith’s authenticity shined through his music and heartfelt gratitude to the country music community.
”Long live country radio!” he shouted before the lights went dim and the curtain closed.
Dillon Carmichael
Riser House Records recording artist Dillon Carmichael kept the tradition of comedic introduction videos at New Faces, pretending to give a behind the scenes look at his tour bus, which actually belonged to Justin Moore, who made a cameo appearance in the hilarious clip.
He kicked off his portion of the show with a performance of “Raised Up Wrong” that was well-received from the industry-only crowd. During his impactful set, Carmichael took a moment to acknowledge the work of his promotion staff and radio programmers that helped him and his music meet the qualifications for the New Faces Show.
“What an opportunity this is. Thank you for giving us a chance. In order to even qualify to even be voted for to be a New Face, one of those qualifications is you have to have at least a top 25 at country radio,” he revealed, thanking those that have supported his career. “If it landed at 26, we would not be standing here right now. For country radio, all you folks that kept playing it and kept pushing this song until it hit top 25, thank you so much, because that one number really did matter a whole lot. And this is an opportunity. I do understand the gravity of this, and I am just so thrilled and at a loss for words.”
A highlight of Carmichael’s show was his performance of the timeless hit, “Son Of A,” and the unreleased song, “Tiny Little Fiddle.” He ended his set with a lively performance of his chart-climbing hit, “Drinkin’ Problems,” prompting the entire crowd to get up on their feet to offer a standing ovation.
Megan Moroney
To close out the night, Megan Moroney brought the girl power to the New Faces Show as the only female in this year’s class. To launch her performance, she shared a video, where she poked fun at herself by reading “mean tweets” alongside her band before delivering a dazzling performance.
The Sony Music Nashville/Columbia artist sparkled in a fuchsia pink mini-dress complete with a sequin design and white cowboy boots. Moroney, a self-proclaimed emo cowgirl, was all smiles as she strutted onto the stage to the title track to her debut album, Lucky. The country star captivated the audience throughout her five-song set, showcasing her undeniable star power.
“I have a lot of new music coming out this year that I’m excited for you to hear,” Moroney teased, before graciously thanking Country radio for supporting her dreams. “Thank you for your support of me and my songs. I love writing songs. I love to do this, and I get to do this because of you.”
Not only did show she off her star power, but also her ability to connect with listeners through her relatable lyrics on songs like “I’m Not Pretty” and “Girl In The Mirror.” She truly allowed her unique raspy vocals to shine during her performance of “No Caller ID,” a song that is destined to dominate airwaves and become her next massive radio hit.
She concluded her set with a performance of her breakthrough viral hit, “Tennessee Orange,” a song that changed her life, put her on the maps and became her first-ever No. 1 hit at Country radio.
From the moment Megan Moroney stepped onto the stage, it was evident that she is ready to take her career to new heights.
Paid Tribute To The Late Toby Keith
During the New Faces of Country Music show, CRS was also sure to honor the late Toby Keith. This year marked the 30th anniversary of Toby Keith’s appearance on the New Faces Show in 1994. The late country music icon had plans to attend this year’s event before his sudden passing on February 5, 2024, at the age of 62.
“He lived life fully, right to the end,” Kurt Johnson, the CRS Board of Directors president, shared before showing an “In Loving Memory” clip of Toby Keith that featured the “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” singer’s New Faces performance and an interview of his reaction to being part of the showcase that year. That legendary 1994 New Faces Show also featured future stars Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and Clay Walker.
After witnessing this showcase of rising talent, it’s evident that George Birge, Megan Moroney, Conner Smith, Dillon Carmichael And Corey Kent are certainly making their mark on the country music genre and have a bright future ahead of them.
What Is The New Faces of Country Music Show At CRS?
The New Faces of Country Music show features five emerging artists who have achieved significant success at Country Radio during the previous year.
The artists are voted on by industry professionals who are involved in the programming, promotion and distribution of country music. To qualify, artists must have had at least one, but no more than five, top 25 singles on the Mediabase Country Chart or the BDS-based Country Chart during the qualification period.
For more than five decades, the New Faces of Country Music Show has remained a highlight at the annual Country Radio Seminar and has played a pivotal role in the careers of nearly every major country star since its inception in 1970. The event has helped launched the careers of country superstars such as Reba McEntire, Luke Bryan, George Strait, Alabama, Eric Church, Taylor Swift, Luke Combs, and many more.
What Is CRS?
Country Radio Seminar (CRS) is an annual convention designed to educate and promote the exchange of ideas and business practices in the Country music industry, with specific emphasis on issues relevant to Country radio.
The event is held annually in Nashville and features three days of exhilarating performances, engaging panel discussions, and insightful sessions geared toward country radio. The industry-exclusive event showcases country superstars and rising stars, as well as introduces newcomers to the country music genre.
Additionally, Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2025 is scheduled to be held February 19-21, 2025.
