2023 CRS Humanitarian Award Recipients Announced

Tracy Lawrence Announced as 2023 CRS Artist Humanitarian Award Recipient and
Brent Michaels Named the 2023 Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award Recipient

The Country Radio Broadcasters has announced Tracy Lawrence as the recipient of the 2023 CRS Artist Humanitarian Award and Brent Michaels as the recipient of the 2023 Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award.

Beverlee Brannigan, CRS/CRB Board member and Chairwoman of the CRS Awards Committee, spoke about this year’s honorees, saying “We commend both Humanitarian Award winners for deep and personal commitments to their causes. Tracy Lawrence’s and Brent Michaels’ contributions go far beyond simply lending their names or influence. Each has devoted personal time, talents, and resources over a significant period of time. The results of their initiatives have improved lives in their communities. We are beyond proud to recognize Tracy and Brent’s efforts at CRS 2023.”

Tracy Lawrence’s authentic spirit of caring and generosity made him an easy selection for the CRS 2023 Artist Humanitarian Award. Tracy has displayed a strong level of personal commitment in his efforts toward addressing multiple aspects of homelessness. Through the Tracy Lawrence “Mission: Possible” platform, he has raised over $2 million to help fight homelessness. In the past year, he awarded substantial funding to 14 separate organizations. His Turkey Fry and Benefit Concert consistently features “A list” artists and has served up an impressive 73,000 meals. Tracy’s Mission: Possible Celebrity Golf Classic raised $800,000 in its first two years, with country stars and golf pros stepping up to play and support.

The CRB Artist Humanitarian Award was created in 1990 by the organization’s board, and honors a Country Artist whose philanthropic efforts have significantly improved the effectiveness and impact of the causes they support. This individual not only lends their name and influence but also dedicates their time, talent, and resources.

Past recipients of the Artist Humanitarian Award have included Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton, Dierks Bentley, Zac Brown, Lady Antebellum, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Trace Adkins, Randy Owen, Toby Keith, and Brad Paisley, among others.

Brent Michaels is named the 2023 Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award recipient. Michaels’ contributions to his community extend far beyond his position at KUZZ, such as his work with his Shoe Guy campaign for League of Dreams, his Man of the Year campaign for Leukemia Lymphoma Society, his launch of the “6615” apparel line, raising over $15,000 since its inception, and the Active Bakersfield Alliance. He also participates in marathon challenges in his spare time to raise money for the Active BAKERSFIELD Alliance. Michaels has also been invited to take his St. Jude fundraising enthusiasm to Los Angeles and his hometown of Honolulu.

Every year, the Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award is given at the discretion of the CRB Board of Directors to recognize an individual in the country radio industry who has displayed a magnanimous spirit of caring and generosity in service to his or her community.  This individual should be fully invested through hands-on action, demonstrating a personal commitment of time, talent, and resources to community causes.

Greatly respected for his award-winning on-air and programming work at WQYK/Tampa/St. Petersburg and WUSN/Chicago, Tom Rivers was also a highly regarded industry leader who was well known for his magnanimous and unselfish public service. Past recipients of the Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award include George G. Beasley, Lon Helton, Heather Froglear, Dan Halyburton, “Dollar” Bill Lawson, Peter Smyth, Jeff Smulyan, Mary Quaas, and more.

Both awards will be presented during the New Faces of Country Music® show on March 15, during CRS 2023.