» Open Sessionry: Midas/Valory's Emerson Drive sang the "Star Spangled Banner" as the 40th CRS opened in Nashville this morning. Founder Tom McEntee was featured in a video that discussed the origins of CRS, and he urged attendees to thank the "obnoxious former radio person" who pushed him to keep the event going — Charlie Monk. Black River Music Group's Emma Jacob performed prior to the presentation of the Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award to former KEEY/Minneapolis exec Mick Anselmo. "Thank you, today, for this honor," Anselmo said. "And thank you to CRB for letting me say 'thank you' to Nashville."

» Good Stuff: Station humanitarian awards were presented to WFLS/Fredericksburg, VA (Small Market); WIVK/Knoxville (Medium Market); and WGH/Norfolk (Large Market). The honors were WFLS's second, WIVK's fifth and WGH's first. Clay Walker introduced Randy Owen as this year's Artist Humanitarian Award recipient. Owen thanked Country radio for their support of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "There are children living today because of the money you've raised," he said. "I just want to warn you, if we don't get all the cancers cured, I'll be here 40 years from now, too."

» 40 Beer Anniversary: Universal South's Phil Vassar performed his current single "Prayer Of A Common Man," as well as a song he was asked to write about CRS. With the hook, "40 years of fun and 40 million beers," the song likened Charlie Monk to herpes ("he just won't go away") and even included a verse about the infamous Bridge Bar incident of 2001. Keynoter Seth Godin delivered a very well-received address based on the principles in his books. He called Country radio and country music "the perfect industry," but illustrated that new forces have broken that model. Permission marketing and developing a tribe were his key solutions, and Country Aircheck will provide full coverage of the session in tonight's CRS Daily Buzz.

» Street Performers: Attendees were joined by the general public at UMG's "Downtown Shutdown" featuring a Commerce Street performance by Jamey Johnson. As Johnson opened with current single "High Cost Of Living," UMG staffers released scores of foam boomerangs into the street from atop their office building.

» Marketing Whizzes: Male CRS attendees were greeted, quite literally, by urinal inserts in Nashville Convention Center bathrooms today. The audio-emitting devices, emblazed with UMG logos, spout phrases including, "urine good hands," "burning through the whole industry," "delivering a steady flow of hits," "the best music for your pee ones" and "flushing down all competitors."

» Woods Chipper: Clear Channel's WCOS/Columbia, SC afternooner Andy Woods has been hired for the same airshift at CC sister WKKT/Charlotte, replacing Ken Buckner, who recently landed at KLLL/Lubbock (CAT 3/2). Woods starts on air March 11 and should be in the building by April 2.

» Gig Alert: Clear Channel's WCKT/Ft. Myers morning co-host Stacy Collins is currently flying solo after co-host Barry "The Bear" Smith left the station last week to pursue a career in the medical field. PD Mark Wilson is looking to replace Smith with a "polished, prepared, people person." Send airchecks and resumes here.

» Joint Rolling: Artist managers Erv Woolsey and Enzo DeVincenzo have entered into a joint venture to manage and develop new country acts. Lee Ann Womack will be managed through the co-venture. Also, Lee Brice has signed with the new company for representation.

» Old School: Capitol's Luke Bryan is releasing an EP of college songs on iTunes March 10. Spring Break With All My Friends features an acoustic version of "All My Friends Say" and two unreleased tracks, "Take My Drunk Ass Home" and "Sorority Girls." An EP release party will be held at the Daytona Beach Hilton March 12. Bryan is also hosting a text-based "Spring Break With All My Friends" concert contest through his fan club, the Nut House. The college town to text the most will win a free Bryan concert at its campus with 100 free passes to the winning sorority. More information here.