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BLAKE SHELTON BRINGS FRIENDS TO 2011 MUSIC CITY JAM

Blake Shelton brought a fun group of his friends to the annual Music City Jam March 2nd in Nashville.
Among those joining him on stage were country acts Chris Young, Brett Eldredge, Frankie Ballard, Laura Bell Bundy, Andy Davis and The Band Perry.

Reigning ACM New Artist of the Year Luke Bryan also presented trophies to New Solo Vocalist of the Year Eric Church and New Group of the Year The Band Perry. The two acts will now compete for overall New Artist of the Year at the 46th ACM Awards.

The annual Music City Jam is one of Country Radio Seminar's premier events and has showcased some of the biggest stars in country music, including performances by Taylor Swift at CRS 2010, Tim McGraw (2009), Brad Paisley (2008), Toby Keith (2007) and Keith Urban (2006).

"Blake Shelton is unquestionably one of the hottest artists in country music today," says CRB President Mike Culotta. "His trademark sense of humor and string of No. 1 hits have endeared him not only to his fans, but country radio as well. I can't think of a better fit for this year's Jam."

The Academy of Country Music sponsored the Music City Jam, now in its sixth year at CRS.

"The Academy is thrilled to continue our long-standing partnership with CRB, to host the Jam and bring talented artists directly to country radio," said Bob Romeo, CEO of the Academy of Country Music. "With Blake there is never a dull moment!"

Shelton is having one of the best years of his career in 2010, releasing two SIX PAK albums, Hillbilly Bone and All About Tonight, as well as receiving a flood of honors and awards. Both SIX PAK title-track singles, "Hillbilly Bone" (recorded with Trace Adkins) and "All About Tonight," went to No. 1. All About Tonight debuted at No. 1 on the SoundScan Top Country Albums chart and No. 6 on Billboard's Top 200 chart, making it his highest charting record to date. Shelton is the only solo male Country artist to earn more than one chart-topper so far this year on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart.

Shelton's career thus far has seen him hit No. 1 seven times, including "All About Tonight," "Hillbilly Bone," his back-to-back multi-week No. 1 singles "She Wouldn't Be Gone" and "Home," his five-week No. 1 debut single, "Austin" and two additional multi-week No. 1 singles with "The Baby" and "Some Beach."

In 2010, Shelton won ACM, CMT and CMA awards, and he is nominated for Top Male Vocalist at the 46th Academy of Country Music Awards, set for Sunday, April 3rd in Las Vegas. He will also co-host the ACM Awards this year with Reba McEntire.

Country Radio Seminar 2011 was held March 2-4, 2011, at the Nashville Convention Center. For more information about Country Radio Broadcasters visit the official CRB website at www.CRB.org.