From down-home songs that celebrate the simpler side of country life to heartbreak ballads to contemporary music, Blake Shelton’s songs are among the most played of the last decade by country radio stations. going to happen, but all our friends knew and kept it a secret,” Ray says. “What a perfect day.” Festival Following Loyal country music fans show up in droves to hear big and budding stars alike at music festivals across the U.S. There’s no better testament to that than in the heart of rural America with Kicker Country Stampede in Manhattan, Kan., and Country Jam in Eau Claire, Wis., where more than 160,000 people packed the grounds to listen to stars belt out their hits and experience some genuine Cenex hospitality. CHS partnered with major radio stations to promote the Cenex brand at the two events and awarded concert tickets to listeners and to Cenex retailers, distributors and consumers. In addition to VIP passes and meet-and-greet opportunities with performers, Cenex brand awareness was increased through logos that appeared on admission wristbands, souvenirs, on-stage signage and announcements. Another ticket winner at the Kicker Country Stampede, Tina Gannaway, says, “I was pretty excited because I’d never been to the Stampede before. To be able to go and be treated like that was awesome. I’ll fi ll up with Cenex gasoline now.” Sponsoring this event made sense for the brand, since CHS services more than 125 Cenex retailers and distributors within 100 miles of the Kansas festival, which drew fans from surrounding states. > Your CHS Connection 21