Cole Swindell Receives MusicRow's First-Ever No. 1 Challenge Coin

Cole Swindell with his first MusicRow Challenge Coin.

Cole Swindell visited the MusicRow offices recently to accept MusicRow‘s first Challenge Coin which is given to artists and songwriters who earn a No. 1 song on MusicRow‘s Country Breakout chart. Established in 2002, the MusicRow chart provides airplay measurement from approximately 100 secondary country radio markets across the United States. The Challenge Coin was created in 2014 and each coin is uniquely numbered. Swindell and fellow songwriter Shane Minor co-wrote “Chillin’ It,” which garnered Swindell his first chart-topping song on MusicRow‘s CountryBreakout chart.

“This has been such an incredible year,” says Swindell. “To have my first No. 1 song is incredible. I’ve always wanted to be an artist and to see my songs top the charts, so this means a lot. To get the first-ever MusicRow Challenge Coin is awesome.” The Georgia native spent much of 2013 opening up for buddy and fellow Georgian Luke Bryan on Bryan’s Dirt Road Diaries Tour and Farm Tour.

Pictured (L-R): MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson, Cole Swindell, and MusicRow Chart Director Michael Smith

For those who are unfamiliar, challenge coins celebrate distinguished individuals, and the challenge coin term and tradition is believed to date back to WWI, when they were initially given to American soldiers. Varying accounts exist, but the most common story behind the coin’s name is as follows. After receiving a challenge coin, organization members carried it with them at all times. When challenged to prove membership, they would produce it to verify their membership status. Some stories add if the member couldn’t produce the coin, they had to buy the challenger(s) a drink and vice versa.

Cole Swindell with MusicRow staff members.

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.

Swindell’s self-titled debut album will be released Feb. 18 on Warner Bros. Records.

Pictured (L-R): Warner Music Nashville’s Tree Paine, Sherod Robertson, Cole Swindell, and Red Light Management’s Kerri Edwards.

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Jessica Nicholson

Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at jnicholson@musicrow.com.

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