Dierks Bentey, Cumulus CEO Mary Berner Join Country Radio Seminar Lineup

Dierks Bentley and Cumulus president/CEO Mary Berner were announced Jan. 8 as new entries to the Country Radio Seminar agenda with the annual convention just four weeks away.

Bentley, already set to receive the CRS artist humanitarian award during the opening ceremony on Feb. 5, will also be a featured speaker that afternoon with a “Climbing the Mountain” chat that examines his long, steady climb to headlining status.

Berner will take part in a keynote conversation with Emmis Communications senior vp Charlie Morgan on Feb. 6. A longtime media executive, she shifted in 2015 from a print-centered background into radio with Cumulus and brings that perspective to the seminar for the first time in her career.

A Country Music Association research project that looks at the impact streaming has had on music consumption was also added to the final day’s calendar on Feb. 7. The topic will likely prove insightful to radio programmers competing with newer platforms for the same audience.

CRS’ organizing body, Country Radio Broadcasters, is offering a $99 unemployment rate for the three-day event, available through Jan. 24.