Music News (1/15/14)

A new year calls for new traditions, and MusicRow announces its latest tradition, the No. 1 Challenge Coin. For those who are unfamiliar, challenge coins celebrate distinguished individuals, and the challenge coin tradition is believed to date back to WWI, when they were initially given to American soldiers.

Although challenge coins carry a strong military background, they have been awarded to individuals in other spheres, including film, science and music. Each week, MusicRow will honor the industry’s brightest players, awarding challenge coins to artists and songwriters who have earned a No. 1 song on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart beginning with the first MusicRow Chart in 2014.

A list of coin recipients will be available in the “Charts” menu at MusicRow.com.

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Steve Richardson

Steve Richardson has been appointed CEO/President of the newly formed Streamsound Music Group. Richardson will oversee the Nashville-based entertainment group and its affiliated companies Streamsound Records and Red Vinyl Music. Streamsound Music Group principals are producer Byron Gallimore, Jim Wilkes and Tim McHugh.

Red Vinyl Music is an independent music publishing company established in late 2010. The company represents songwriters Mark Irwin, Chris Janson, Dave & Julia Carlson of The Carlsons, Ben Daniel and Ed Hill, as well as Streamsound Records artists Bradley, Webb and Dreyer.

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Gregory Riggle

SESAC’s Gregory Riggle, VP of Industry Relations & Business Communications, has exited the company. Riggle’s new venture, Storycult, will launch in early 2014.

Storycult is a creative content developer linking creative industries directly to media and brands. Innovative rights management and licensing partnerships will allow both creator and client to monetize proprietary content.

For more information, visit storycult.com.

Jacob Knight

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Magic Mustang Music has hired Creative Assistant Jacob Knight.

Knight previously worked as executive assistant to Jake Kennedy at CAA in Nashville after graduating from the University of Georgia in May 2013.

Part of the BBR Music Group, Magic Mustang Music also represents songwriters Jason Aldean, Thompson Square, Steve Bogard, Sherrie Austin, Lindsay Ell, David Fanning, Rob Hatch, Kristy Lee Cook, Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Edwards, Rich Redmond, Justin Lantz, Jason Delkou, Justin Wilson and Westin Davis.

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The CMA Songwriters Series returns for its 10th season, with the first shows of 2014 being held at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, on Jan. 22 and 23.

The Sundance ASCAP Music Café’s CMA Songwriters Spotlight will feature special guests Brandy Clark, Brett James, Chris Stapleton, and Lee Ann Womack. Two feature performances will be presented, with both shows including Clark, James, Stapleton and Womack. Shows on Jan. 22 and 23 begin at 4 p.m. MT at the Sundance ASCAP Music Cafe.

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BMI will present the third annual Crested Butte Songwriters Festival on Friday, Jan. 17 – Saturday, Jan. 18 in Crested Butte, Colo. The show will be hosted by Storme Warren.

Performances include Dean Dillon, Scotty Emerick, Kree Harrison, Rodney Clawson, Nicolle Galyon, Kendell Marvel, Casey Beathard, Due West, Stephanie Lane Stephenson, Tyler Hansen, Steve Snyder and Lizzy Plotkin.

A benefit concert with all performers will be held on Saturday night, Jan. 18. Tickets are available at Center for the Arts (970-349-7847), The Toggery in Gunnison (970-641-0844), and The Adventure Center in Mountaineer Square (970-349-4554).

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On Jan. 17-19, the 30A Songwriters Festival will feature more than 150 songwriters and more than 200 performances at 20 venues along Florida’s scenic Highway 30A in South Walton, Fla. This year’s event will feature Kristian Bush (Sugarland), Jeffrey Steele, Jerry Douglas, Jim Lauderdale, and John Oates.

Highlights of the festival include two days of headlining concerts at the outdoor amphitheater at Gulf Place, VIP dinners at WaterSound Beach Club, Grayton Bar & Grill, and more.

Festival weekend passes are now available for $190 and can be purchased at 30asongwritersfestival.com, or locally in South Walton, Fla. at the Cultural Arts Alliance office and at Central Square Records in Seaside, Fla.