Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (2024)

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Nominees, Date Announced For 2024 Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame Gala

July 17 2024

Twelve exemplary tunesmiths are 2024 contemporary nominees for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF).

The new group will be among those honored at the 54th Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at the Music City Center.

“We congratulate this year’s nominees in our contemporary categories. Their nominations are so well deserved,” says NaSHOF Executive Director Mark Ford. “We look forward in several weeks to announcing those who will be inducted this fall as members of our Class of 2024.”

2024 nominees in the Contemporary Songwriters category are:
Al Anderson
Shawn Camp
Desmond Child
Jim Collins
Gordon Kennedy
Frank J. Myers
Annie Roboff
Liz Rose

2024 nominees in the Contemporary Songwriter/Artists category are:
Steven Curtis Chapman
Brad Paisley
Phil Vassar
Lucinda Williams

All nominees experienced their first significant songs at least 20 years ago. A total of two songwriters and one songwriter/artist will be elected from the contemporary categories by members of the Hall of Fame along with other professional songwriters and artists from a variety of genres who are prominently identified with Nashville and who have written/co-written at least one original and significant Nashville song.

In addition, three more will be named to the Class of 2024. A separate body of veteran voters will elect a Veteran Songwriter, a Veteran Songwriter/Artist and a Legacy Songwriter (deceased), all of whom experienced their first significant songs at least 30 years ago. As part of that process, nominees in those categories are not announced.

 ABOUT THE NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME 2024 NOMINEES:

Category 1 - SONGWRITERS

AL ANDERSON
“Big Al” Anderson was born in Windsor, CT. Raised by his piano teacher mother and a radio that would get WWVA in Wheeling, WV, late at night, he devoured all genres of music. He was a member of The Wildweeds in the late 1960s. From 1971 to 1993 he was lead guitarist in the Rock band NRBQ, also releasing several solo albums. He was recognized as one of the top 100 guitar players of the 20th Century by Musician magazine. In the 1990s, Al shifted his focus to Country music. In 1993 Al celebrated his first major hit as Carlene Carter took their co-written “Every Little Thing” to #3 Country. Among Al’s best-known songs are “Should’ve Asked Her Faster” by Ty England, “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down” by The Mavericks w/ Flaco Jiménez, “Unbelievable” by Diamond Rio, “Powerful Thing” by Trisha Yearwood, “Big Deal” by LeAnn Rimes, “The Cowboy In Me” by Tim McGraw, “Trip Around The Sun” by Jimmy Buffett & Martina McBride (also #1 Bluegrass in 2024 for Bronwyn Keith-Hynes w/ Dierks Bentley), “Love’s Gonna Make It Alright” by George Strait, and “Loving You Easy” by The Zac Brown Band. Al was named 2000 BMI Country Songwriter of the Year.

SHAWN CAMP
Shawn Camp grew up on a farm outside of Perryville, AR. Shawn picked up a guitar at age five and by age 20 had moved to Nashville, where he found work in the late ’80s as a fiddle player in backing bands for The Osborne Brothers, Jerry Reed, Alan Jackson and Trisha Yearwood. After charting a pair of self-penned singles in 1993 as a Warner Bros. recording artist, Shawn turned his attention to writing songs for other artists — earning his first #1 hits in 1998 with “Two Piña Coladas” by Garth Brooks and “How Long Gone” by Brooks & Dunn. In 2006, he had Top 5 singles with “Nobody But Me” by Blake Shelton and “Would You Go With Me” by Josh Turner. Shawn also co-wrote Turner’s “Firecracker,” as well as “River Of Love” by George Strait and “Love Done Gone” by Billy Currington. Shawn’s songs have also been hits for Bluegrass artists such as Ricky Skaggs, The Lonesome River Band and Don Rigsby. Shawn’s “We Know Where He Is” by The Del McCoury Band was a 2007 GMA bluegrass song nominee and his “My Quiet Mind” by The Gibson Brothers was a 2018 SPBGMA bluegrass song nominee. In the Americana field, Shawn’s “My Love Will Not Change” by Aubrie Sellers w/ Steve Earle was an AMA song nominee in 2020.

DESMOND CHILD
Desmond Child was born in Gainesville, FL, but grew up in Miami. By the mid-1970s his obsession with music led him to New York City, where early co-writes with Paul Stanley of KISS yielded 1979’s “I Was Made For Loving You.” By 1986, Desmond’s co-writes with Bon Jovi provided the band with two of their biggest hits — “You Give Love A Bad Name” and “Livin’ On A Prayer.” Desmond continued his ’80s Rock/Pop success with songs such as “Dude Looks Like A Lady” by Aerosmith and “I Hate Myself For Loving You” by Joan Jett (tweaked in 2013 to become the NBC Sunday Night Football theme). Moving to Nashville in the early ’90s, Desmond celebrated more hits, including “Crazy” by Aerosmith, “Where Your Road Leads” by Trisha Yearwood & Garth Brooks, “Nobody Wants To Be Lonely” by Ricky Martin & Christina Aguilera, and “Waking Up In Vegas” by Katy Perry. “Livin’ La Vida Loca” by Ricky Martin was named 2000 ASCAP Pop Song of the Year and Billboard’s 1999 Latin Pop Track of the Year. Desmond is a 2008 inductee into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York and a 2022 inductee into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame.

JIM COLLINS
Jim Collins grew up on a dairy farm in Nacogdoches, TX. Gifted his first guitar at age 10, he played his first professional gig at 12, later moving on to various Rock bands throughout high school. In the 1980s Jim began playing Country music and writing original songs. He played the Texas music scene until 1995, when he moved to Nashville. Within a few months he had a publishing deal and was an in-demand demo singer. His first cut came in 1997 and his first Top 10 two years later. By 2000 Jim had his first #1 song with “Yes!” by Chad Brock. Jim’s particular success with Kenny Chesney has yielded hits such as “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy” and “Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven,” as well as “The Good Stuff,” which was named the 2002 ACM Single of the Year and the 2003 ASCAP Country Song of the Year. Other hits written by Jim include “Then They Do” by Trace Adkins, “It Just Comes Natural” by George Strait, “Big Green Tractor” by Jason Aldean, “I Don’t Feel Like Loving You Today” by Gretchen Wilson (a 2006 Grammy nominee for best country song), “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” by Thompson Square (a 2011 Grammy nominee for best country song) and “Damn Strait” by Scotty McCreery. Jim is a 2020 inductee into the Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall Of Fame.

GORDON KENNEDY
Born in Shreveport, LA, Gordon Kennedy moved with his family to Nashville at age one. He grew up spending time at recording sessions with his father, musician/producer Jerry Kennedy. Receiving a Fender Telecaster at age 15, Gordon played his first recording session and wrote his first song while in high school. In 1984 he joined the Christian Rock band White Heart, writing five of their Top 5 hits, including “Fly Eagle Fly” and “Eighth Wonder.” By the mid-90s, he was a co-writer on the international hit “Change The World” — first recorded in 1995 by Wynonna, then again by Eric Clapton for the 1996 film, Phenomenon. The song spent 13 weeks at #1 and earned the 1997 Grammy for Best Song (and also for Record of the Year). Among Gordon’s dozen-plus Garth Brooks cuts are “You Move Me,” “Love Will Always Win” (duet with Trisha Yearwood), “Lost In You” and “It Don’t Matter To The Sun” (the latter two by Brooks’ alter ego Chris Gaines). Gordon has Adult Contemporary singles by Bonnie Raitt (including the Top 15 “I Can’t Help You Now,”), as well as Bluegrass singles by Ricky Skaggs (“You Can’t Hurt Ham” and “Return To Sender,” a Grammy Gospel song nominee).

FRANK J. MYERS
Frank J. Myers grew up in Dayton, OH. His father taught him to play guitar, and by age 14, Frank had formed a band with his brother. After moving to Nashville in 1981, Frank was hired by Eddy Raven as a guitar player – later becoming Raven’s band leader and road manager. During that time, Frank co-wrote 10 Top 10 singles for Raven, including “Bayou Boys,” “I Got Mexico” and “Sometimes A Lady.” In 1982, Frank’s “You And I” became a hit for Eddie Rabbitt and Crystal Gayle. Other hits from Frank’s catalog include “My Front Porch Looking In” by Lonestar, “Come In Out Of The Pain” by Doug Stone and “Once Upon A Lifetime” by Alabama. The John Michael Montgomery version of “I Swear” earned a slew of awards — 1994 Grammy for Best Country Song, 1994 Academy of Country Music (ACM) Song and Single of the Year, 1994 Country Music Association (CMA) Single of the Year, 1994 NSAI Song of the Year, 1995 ASCAP Country Song of the Year — with the All 4 One version topping the Pop chart for 11 consecutive weeks. “I’m Already There” by Lonestar was the 2002 ASCAP Country Song of the Year and the 2002 BMI Country Song of the Year. “Tomorrow” by Chris Young was the 2011 SESAC Country Song of the Year.

ANNIE ROBOFF
Born in Greenburgh, NY, Annie Roboff began her music career writing songs for her bandmates in New York City a cappella group The Bondinis. When the group parted ways, Annie began writing/arranging sports themes for ABC. Soon she was creating music for TBS, CBS and ESPN (the original SportsCenter theme), as well as the Olympics and the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana. Relocating to Los Angeles, Annie shifted her focus to writing songs. Following several Pop and R&B cuts, she was signed to Almo/lrving Music in 1994. Later that year, after a writing trip to Nashville, she made the move to Music City and co-wrote her first hit, “Walking Away” by Diamond Rio. By 1998, Annie celebrated several more hits, including “Happy Girl” by Martina McBride, “There Goes My Baby” by Trisha Yearwood, “To Have You Back Again” by Patty Loveless, and the multi-genre smash “This Kiss” by Faith Hill which was honored as 1998 Academy of Country Music (ACM) Single of the Year, 1999 Country Music Association (CMA) Song of the Year and 1999 ASCAP Country Song of the Year. Other hits from Annie’s pen include “That’s The Way” by Jo Dee Messina, “If I Fall You’re Going Down With Me” by the Dixie Chicks, “Unbroken” by Tim McGraw and the Faith Hill hits “If My Heart Had Wings” and “One.”

LIZ ROSE
Dallas-born Liz Rose was raised in Irving, TX. A non-songwriter at that time, she moved with her songwriter husband to Nashville, where she found work as a songplugger. Encouraged by songwriters and other friends, Liz began writing songs at age 37, and by 2004 she had her first Top 20 single, “Songs About Rain,” by Gary Allan. By mid-decade, Liz’s co-writes with newcomer Taylor Swift yielded her debut hits “Tim McGraw” and “Teardrops On My Guitar,” which was named 2008 BMI Country Song of the Year. Their collaborations span nearly 20 cuts, including “You Belong With Me” (2010 BMI Country Song of the Year), “White Horse” (2010 Grammy for Best Country Song) and the 2022 Grammy-nominated “All Too Well (10-minute version from the short film).” Other hits from Liz’s catalog include “Cry Pretty” by Carrie Underwood and the 2019 Grammy-nominated “It All Comes Out In The Wash” by Miranda Lambert. “Crazy Girl” by Eli Young Band was named 2011 Academy of Country Music (ACM) Song of the Year. “Girl Crush” by Little Big Town earned the 2016 Grammy for Best Country Song, the 2015 Country Music Association (CMA) Song and Single of the Year, and the 2015 NSAI Song of the Year. Liz was the 2007 SESAC Country Songwriter of the Year. She is a 2018 inductee into the Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame and a 2023 inductee into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York.


Category 2 – CONTEMPORARY SONGWRITER/ARTISTS

STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN
The most awarded artist in Christian music history, Steven Curtis Chapman grew up in Paducah, Kentucky, where he learned to play guitar at a young age by hanging out in his father’s music store. Following a brief college career as a pre-med student, Steven moved to Nashville to pursue music. The 1987 release of his debut album, First Hand, launched a flood of awards for his self-penned hits, including “His Eyes” (the GMA’s 1989 Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year), “His Strength Is Perfect” (the GMA’s 1990 Inspirational Song of the Year), “The Great Adventure” (the GMA’s 1993 Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year), “Go There With You” (the GMA’s 1994 Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year), “Heaven In The Real World” (the GMA’s 1995 Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year), “Let Us Pray” (the GMA’s 1998 Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year) and “Dive” (the GMA’s 2000 Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year). Other award-winning songs from Steven’s catalogue include “I Can See The Hand Of God” by The Cathedrals (the GMA’s 1990 Southern Gospel Song Of The Year) and “Voice Of Truth” by Casting Crowns (the GMA’s 2005 Inspirational Song of the Year). One of the most-honored artists in the history of Christian music, Steven is a 10-time winner of the GMA’s Songwriter of the Year award (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998 and 2009), as well as NSAI’s 1999 Songwriter/Artist of the Year. A four-time BMI Christian Songwriter of the Year (2001, 2003, 2004, 2010), he is the first Christian music songwriter to receive the BMI Icon Award (2022). In 2023, “Don’t Lose Heart” became his 50th self-penned #1 single as an artist.

BRAD PAISLEY
Brad Paisley was born and raised in Glen Dale, WV. He received his first guitar from his grandfather, who taught him to play at eight years old. At age 13, Brad wrote his first song, which he performed publicly, and which eventually led him to an eight-year stint performing on Wheeling’s Jamboree USA. After high-school graduation and two years at West Liberty State College, Brad was awarded a fully paid ASCAP scholarship to Belmont University in Nashville where he majored in music business. A week after graduating from Belmont, Brad signed as a writer with EMI Music Publishing. Following cuts by David Kersh, David Ball and Tracy Byrd, Brad signed with Arista Nashville and soon began to record his own songs. As an artist, he has placed 33 self-penned Top 20 songs on the Billboard charts, including 15 #1s and 14 more in the Top 10. Among those compositions are “He Didn’t Have To Be,” “Alcohol,” “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song),” “Celebrity,” “Ticks,” “Letter To Me,” “Then,” “This Is Country Music,” “Water,” and his duet with Carrie Underwood “Remind Me.” A member of the Grand Ole Opry since 2001, Brad was ASCAP’s 2004 Country Songwriter/Artist of the Year. He was NSAI’s Songwriter/Artist of the Year in 2002 and 2005.

PHIL VASSAR
Phil Vassar was born in Lynchburg, VA. During college, he began playing piano and singing in local clubs. Moving to Nashville, Phil found the going slow until 1997 when some of his initial songs were recorded by Blackhawk, Skip Ewing, and The Sons of the Desert. Then in 1998, Phil’s songs started gaining traction as singles for a variety of artists. During the next two years, he garnered six chart-topping hits from Collin Raye, Alan Jackson, Jo Dee Messina (including the #1 “Bye, Bye”) and Tim McGraw (including the #1 “My Next Thirty Years”). During that time, he was named NSAI’s 1998 Songwriter of the Year and ASCAP’s 1999 Country Songwriter of the Year. In late 1999, Phil signed a record deal with Arista Nashville. Released the following year, his debut album generated the self-penned hits “Carlene,” “Rose Bouquet,” “Six-Pack Summer,” “That’s When I Love You” and “Just Another Day In Paradise,” Phil’s first #1 as an artist. Propelled by that success, he was named ASCAP’s 2001 Country Songwriter/Artist of the Year. Other hits by Phil as an artist include “American Child,” “In A Real Love” and “Last Day Of My Life.” He was named NSAI’s 2006 Songwriter/Artist of the Year.

LUCINDA WILLIAMS
Born in Lake Charles, LA, Lucinda Williams began writing songs at age six, playing guitar at age 12 and performing on stage at age 17. Dropping out of college to pursue music full-time, she played venues in Austin and Houston before moving to Jackson, MS, in 1978 to record her first album of cover songs. Her second album featured all original songs and her landmark self-titled third album produced three hits. The first, her breakout “Changed The Locks,” reached #16 Rock in 1988 and would become a #20 Rock hit for Tom Petty nearly a decade later. The second, “The Night’s Too Long,” became a #20 Country hit for Patty Loveless in 1990. The third, “Passionate Kisses,” became a #4 Country hit for Mary Chapin Carpenter and earned Lucinda the 1994 Grammy for Best Country Song. By 2001, she charted again as an artist with the #9 Alternative hit “Essence.” She earned AMA nominations for her songs “Righteously” (2003), “Are You Alright?” (2007) and “East Side Of Town” (2015). She earned Grammy nominations for “Come On” (2007), “Kiss Like Your Kiss” (2010) and “Man Without A Soul” (2020). Lucinda was awarded the 2011 Americana Music Association (AMA) Lifetime Achievement Award (songwriting) and the 2022 BMI Troubadour Award. In 2021, she was inducted into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame.

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Nominees, Date Announced For 2023 Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame Gala

June 30 2023

Thirteen exemplary tunesmiths are 2023 contemporary nominees for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF).

The new group will be among those honored at the 53rd Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at the Music City Center.

“We congratulate this year’s nominees in our contemporary categories. Their nominations are richly deserved,” says NaSHOF Executive Director Mark Ford. “We look forward in several weeks to announcing those who will be inducted this fall as members of our Class of 2023.”

2023 nominees in the Contemporary Songwriters category are:
Casey Beathard
Shawn Camp
Jim Collins
Don Henry
David Lee Murphy
Leslie Satcher
Darrell Scott
Victoria Shaw

2023 nominees in the Contemporary Songwriter/Artists category are:
Steven Curtis Chapman
Martie Maguire
Keith Urban
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings (team)

All nominees experienced their first significant songs at least 20 years ago. A total of two songwriters and one songwriter/artist will be elected from the contemporary categories by members of the Hall of Fame along with other professional songwriters and artists from a variety of genres who are prominently identified with Nashville and who have written/co-written at least one original and significant Nashville song.

In addition, three more will be named to the Class of 2023. A separate body of veteran voters will elect a Veteran Songwriter, a Veteran Songwriter/Artist and a Legacy Songwriter (deceased), all of whom experienced their first significant songs at least 30 years ago. As part of that process, nominees in those categories are not announced.

ABOUT THE NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME 2023 NOMINEES:

Category 1 - SONGWRITERS

CASEY BEATHARD
Born in California, Casey Beathard grew up in Vienna, VA (near Arlington). In 1990 he graduated from Elon College in North Carolina with a degree in business management. The following year he moved to Nashville, where he worked jobs at the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Bluebird Café. By 1998 Casey had his first writing deal and the title track of Kenny Chesney’s I Will Stand album. By 2001 Casey had his first Top 10 song, and in 2002 his “Ten Rounds With Jose Cuervo” by Tracy Byrd had reached #1. From there the floodgates opened for more chart-toppers: “Find Out Who Your Friends Are” by Tracy Lawrence and “Cleaning This Gun (Come On In Boy)” by Rodney Atkins, as well as “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems,” “Don’t Blink” and “The Boys Of Fall” – all by Kenny Chesney. Casey’s hits with frequent collaborator Eric Church have yielded hits such as “Like Jesus Does,” “Like A Wrecking Ball” and “Hell Of A View.” Casey’s co-written “There Was Jesus” by Zach Williams & Dolly Parton was a Christian AC hit and earned the 2021 Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Song. Casey was BMI’s 2004 and 2008 BMI Country Songwriter of the Year and the 2008 NSAI Songwriter of the Year.

SHAWN CAMP
Shawn Camp grew up on a farm outside of Perryville, AR. Shawn picked up a guitar at age five and by age 20 had moved to Nashville, where he found work in the late ’80s as a fiddle player in backing bands for The Osborne Brothers, Jerry Reed, Alan Jackson and Trisha Yearwood. After charting a pair of self-penned singles in 1993 as a Warner Bros. recording artist, Shawn turned his attention to writing songs for other artists — earning his first #1 hits in 1998 with “Two Piña Coladas” by Garth Brooks and “How Long Gone” by Brooks & Dunn. In 2006, he had Top 5 singles with “Nobody But Me” by Blake Shelton and “Would You Go With Me” by Josh Turner. Shawn also co-wrote Turner’s “Firecracker,” as well as “River Of Love” by George Strait and “Love Done Gone” by Billy Currington. Shawn’s songs have also been hits for Bluegrass artists such as Ricky Skaggs, The Lonesome River Band and Don Rigsby. Shawn’s “We Know Where He Is” by The Del McCoury Band was a 2007 GMA bluegrass song nominee and his “My Quiet Mind” by The Gibson Brothers was a 2018 SPBGMA bluegrass song nominee. In the Americana field, Shawn’s “My Love Will Not Change” by Aubrie Sellers w/ Steve Earle was an AMA song nominee in 2020.

JIM COLLINS
Jim Collins grew up on a dairy farm in Nacogdoches, TX. Gifted his first guitar at age 10, he played his first professional gig at 12, later moving on to various Rock bands throughout high school. In the 1980s Jim began playing Country music and writing original songs. He played the Texas music scene until 1995, when he moved to Nashville. Within a few months he had a publishing deal and was an in-demand demo singer. His first cut came in 1997 and his first Top 10 two years later. By 2000 Jim had his first #1 song with “Yes!” by Chad Brock. Jim’s particular success with Kenny Chesney has yielded hits such as “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy” and “Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven,” as well as “The Good Stuff,” which was named the 2002 ACM Single of the Year and the 2003 ASCAP Country Song of the Year. Other hits written by Jim include “Then They Do” by Trace Adkins, “It Just Comes Natural” by George Strait, “Big Green Tractor” by Jason Aldean, “I Don’t Feel Like Loving You Today” by Gretchen Wilson (a 2006 Grammy nominee for best country song), “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” by Thompson Square (a 2011 Grammy nominee for best country song) and “Damn Strait” by Scotty McCreery. Jim is a 2020 inductee into the Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall Of Fame.

DON HENRY
California native Don Henry began writing songs at age 13. By the late 1970s, he was ready to give Nashville a try. His early successes came from cuts by T.G. Sheppard and John Conlee, who singled “Blue Highway.” Conlee also recorded “Class Reunion,” as did The Oak Ridge Boys, Gene Watson and Ray Charles. Kathy Mattea has recorded a several of Don’s songs, including “Beautiful Fool,” “Whole Lotta Holes,” and the heart-wrenching “Where’ve You Been.” Also recorded by Patti Page and Dailey & Vincent, that song earned the 1990 Grammy for Best Country Song, as well as the 1989 ACM Song of the Year, the 1990 CMA Song of the Year and the 1990 NSAI Song of the Year. In 1993 Don released a critically acclaimed album on Sony Records titled Wild in the Backyard. Many of those songs, such as “Harley” and “Mr. God” have become staples in his solo acoustic performance repertoire. Among other hits from Don’s catalogue are “Heart Vs. Heart” by Pake McEntire, “Has Anybody Seen Amy?” by John & Audrey Wiggins and “All Kinds Of Kinds” by Miranda Lambert. Don also records and performs in the duo The Don Juans.

DAVID LEE MURPHY
David Lee Murphy developed his musical style as a teenager in Southern Illinois. Moving to Nashville in 1983, David Lee spent years honing his craft as a songwriter. During that time he formed a band, The Blue Tick Hounds, and played honky tonks across Middle Tennessee and clubs throughout the South until he was signed to MCA Records a decade later. David Lee’s 1994 platinum-selling debut album (the first of five solo efforts) yielded the hit singles “Party Crowd” (Radio & Records’ most played song on Country radio in 1995) and the #1 single “Dust On The Bottle.” Beyond his own hits, David Lee began writing songs for other artists in the early 2000s. Among his five #1 hits recorded by Kenny Chesney are “Living In Fast Forward,” “Here And Now” and “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” (a duet with David Lee that earned the 2018 CMA Award for Musical Event of the Year). Some of David Lee’s other #1 songs include “Big Green Tractor” by Jason Aldean, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” by Thompson Square (a 2011 Grammy nominee for best country song) “Anywhere With You” by Jake Owen, “The Only Way I Know” by Jason Aldean with Luke Bryan & Eric Church and “Why We Drink” by Justin Moore.

LESLIE SATCHER
Leslie Satcher grew up singing in churches and schools in her hometown of Paris, TX, before moving to Nashville to become an artist. During her first few years in town, she was befriended by Naomi Judd and Max D. Barnes, who helped her secure her first publishing deal at Island Bound Music. By the mid-1990s Leslie was receiving major-label cuts, then her first hit single in 1998 with “I Said A Prayer” by Pam Tillis. By the end of the decade, Leslie’s “There’s Only One” by Susie Luchsinger had become a 2000 GMA bluegrass song nominee. Also in 2000, Leslie signed as an artist with Warner Bros. Records, where she recorded a critically acclaimed debut album, Love Letters. As a songwriter, Leslie’s Country hits include “When God-Fearin’ Women Get The Blues” by Martina McBride, “Cadillac Tears” by Kevin Denney, “Troubadour” by George Strait, “Tough” by Kellie Pickler and “Politically Uncorrect” by Gretchen Wilson w/ Merle Haggard. Leslie’s Bluegrass hits include “Too Good To Be True” by Alecia Nugent, “Where The Trees Know My Name” by Larry Cordle and “From Your Knees” by The Farm Hands, an SPBGMA Bluegrass song nominee in 2015.

DARRELL SCOTT
Darrell Scott was born in the rural farming town of London, KY, then moved with his family to East Gary, IN. Darrell’s father encouraged each member of the family to play an instrument in the family band. By age 16, Darrell was playing bar gigs around southern California. After stints in Canada and Boston, Darrell moved to Nashville, where he joined Guy Clark’s band and began to play on sessions. Soon after, his songs began finding homes across a variety of genres. In the Country world, he hit with “It’s A Great Day To Be Alive” by Travis Tritt, “Born To Fly” by Sara Evans (a 2001 CMA song nominee) and “Long Time Gone” by The Chicks (a 2002 Grammy nominee for best country song and a 2003 IBMA song nominee). Darrell’s Bluegrass hits include “Banjo Clark” by Sam Bush, “You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive” by Patty Loveless, “Cumberland Plateau” by Darin & Brooke Aldridge and “Bleeding For A Little Peace Of Mind” by Blue Highway (a 2011 SPBGMA song nominee). Darrell’s Americana recording of “Hank Williams’ Ghost” was the 2007 AMA Song of the Year, while “Heavy Is The Head” by Zac Brown Band w/ Chris Cornell was a #1 Rock song in 2015. Darrell was named 2000-2001 NSAI Songwriter of the Year and 2002 ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year.

VICTORIA SHAW
Born in Manhattan, NY, Victoria Shaw moved with her family to Los Angeles at age five. Victoria wrote her first song at age 11 and at 13 formed her own band. At 18, she moved back to New York, where she managed a studio during the day and played in piano bars at night as she worked to launch her career as a singer-songwriter. After some encouraging success in New York, Victoria began commuting to Nashville in 1983. In 1990 Gary Morris signed her to his publishing company, and by 1993, Victoria earned a CMA Triple Play award for three #1 hits: “The River” by Garth Brooks, “Too Busy Being In Love” by Doug Stone and “I Love The Way You Love Me” by John Michael Montgomery which was named the 1993 ACM Song of the Year. In addition to hits such as “She’s Every Woman” by Garth Brooks and “We Don’t Have To Do This” by Tanya Tucker, Victoria’s songs have been recorded by artists such as Jim Brickman (“Fa La La” and “Sending You A Little Christmas”) and Ricky Martin & Christina Aguilera (“Nobody Wants To Be Lonely”). Victoria has also earned Daytime Emmy Awards (Outstanding Original Song) for “This Is Our Moment” by Olivia Newton-John (1999 - from As The World Turns) and “When I Think Of You” by Victoria Shaw (2000 - from One Life To Live).

Category 2 – CONTEMPORARY SONGWRITER/ARTISTS

STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN
The most awarded artist in Christian music history, Steven Curtis Chapman grew up in Paducah, Kentucky, where he learned to play guitar at a young age by hanging out in his father’s music store. Following a brief college career as a pre-med student, Steven moved to Nashville to pursue music. The 1987 release of his debut album, First Hand, launched a flood of awards for his self-penned hits, including “His Eyes” (the GMA’s 1989 Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year), “His Strength Is Perfect” (the GMA’s 1990 Inspirational Song of the Year), “The Great Adventure” (the GMA’s 1993 Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year), “Go There With You” (the GMA’s 1994 Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year), “Heaven In The Real World” (the GMA’s 1995 Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year), “Let Us Pray” (the GMA’s 1998 Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year) and “Dive” (the GMA’s 2000 Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year). Other award-winning songs from Steven’s catalogue include “I Can See The Hand Of God” by The Cathedrals (the GMA’s 1990 Southern Gospel Song Of The Year) and “Voice Of Truth” by Casting Crowns (the GMA’s 2005 Inspirational Song of the Year). Steven is a 10-time winner of the GMA’s Songwriter of the Year award (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998 and 2009), as well as NSAI’s 1999 Songwriter/Artist of the Year. A four-time BMI Christian Songwriter of the Year (2001, 2003, 2004, 2010), he is the first Christian music songwriter to receive the BMI Icon Award (2022). In 2023, “Don’t Lose Heart” became his 50th self-penned #1 single as an artist.

MARTIE MAGUIRE (THE CHICKS)
Born in York, PA, Martie Maguire was raised in Addison, TX (near Dallas). She began learning violin at age five, and by her teenage years was placing in national fiddle competitions and playing in a high-school Bluegrass quartet. In 1989 she co-founded The Dixie Chicks, which released three albums in the early 1990s. Several years later, the group revamped its lineup then signed with Monument Records in Nashville. The band took off and so did her songwriting. In 1999 Martie’s “You Were Mine” became the band’s third #1 single, followed by “Ready To Run” (a 1999 Grammy nominee for best country song and featured in the film Runaway Bride) and “Cowboy Take Me Away” (later nominated for a Tony Award in 2003 as part of the Urban Cowboy musical). More of Martie’s songs became hits for the band (which changed its name to The Chicks in 2020), including “White Trash Wedding,” “Gaslighter,” “Everybody Knows,” “March March” and “Sleep At Night.” The band’s “I Hope” was a 2005 Grammy nominee for best country song, while their Pop hit “Not Ready To Make Nice” earned the 2007 Grammy for Best Song. Martie was a 2000 BMI Country Songwriter of the Year.

KEITH URBAN
Born in New Zealand, Keith Urban moved with his family to Australia when he was two. Showing an early interest in music, he began playing the ukulele at age four and the guitar by age six. As his musicianship progressed, Keith began entering guitar competitions and acting in local theater. By the mid-1980s he was making inroads into the Australian Country music scene. In 1991 he released a self-titled debut album, charting four singles in Australia before moving to Nashville in 1992. After an album in 1997 on Capitol as part of The Ranch, Keith’s U.S. solo debut yielded his first self-penned #1, “But For The Grace Of God,” in 2001. As a songwriter, Keith has topped the charts with other hits, including “Somebody Like You,” “Who Wouldn’t Wanna Be Me,” “Days Go By,” “Long Hot Summer” and “The Fighter” (duet with Carrie Underwood). Keith’s “Tonight I Wanna Cry” was a 2006 CMA song of the year nominee, while “Better Life” was a 2006 CMA single of the year nominee. “For You,” featured in the film Act of Valor, was a 2012 Golden Globe best original song nominee. “Sweet Thing” was named the 2009 SESAC Country Song of the Year.

GILLIAN WELCH & DAVID RAWLINGS
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings share a musical/songwriting partnership spanning three decades. L.A.-raised Gillian moved to Nashville in 1992. Rhode Island-native David arrived soon after, and the two became a duo (performing as “Gillian Welch”). Since their debut album in 1996, Gillian & David have crafted critically acclaimed songs encompassing a wide variety of genres. Some of the duo’s best-known songs include “Orphan Girl,” “To Be Young (Is To Be Sad, Is To Be High),” “Elvis Presley Blues,” “455 Rocket” (also a Country hit for Kathy Mattea) and “Tear My Stillhouse Down” (also a #1 Bluegrass hit for The Nashville Bluegrass Band). “I Want To Sing That Rock And Roll” was a 2002 AMA song of the year nominee. “Ruby” was a 2010 AMA song of the year nominee. The Dailey & Vincent version of Gillian & David’s “By The Mark” reached #2 Bluegrass and was the 2009 SPBGMA Bluegrass Song of the Year. Gillian & David’s “Cumberland Gap” was a 2018 Grammy nominee for best roots song. Also in 2018, the duo’s “When A Cowboy Trades His Spurs For Wings,” recorded by Tim Blake Nelson & Willie Nelson for the film The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, was an Oscar nominee for best original song. In 2015 Gillian & David received the AMA’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriters.

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NaSHOF Names 2022 Hall Of Fame Class

Click HERE to view the 2022 Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductee Announcement made possible by FICO.

The songwriting giants behind the hits “You’re Still The One,” “Holes In The Floor Of Heaven,” “Girl Crush,” “One More Last Chance” and “Drivin’ My Life Away” will soon become the newest members of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF).

Shania Twain, Steve Wariner, Hillary Lindsey, Gary Nicholson and David Malloy – the Hall’s Class of 2022 – will join the legendary body in October, according to an announcement made today by Sarah Cates, chair of the organization’s board of directors, and Mark Ford, its executive director.

“This is always one of my favorite days of the year – when we announce our incoming class and begin their journey to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala in October,” said Cates at the 2022 Inductee Announcement - Made Possible By FICO. “I’m especially gratified to note that – for the first time since 2009 – two of our inductees-elect are women,” she added.

Ford introduced each member of the new class: Lindsey and Nicholson in the contemporary songwriter category; Malloy in the veteran songwriter category, Twain as the contemporary songwriter/artist and Wariner as the veteran songwriter/artist.

The five inductees-elect will join the 223 previously inducted members of the elite organization when they are officially inducted during the 52nd Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on Sunday, October 30, at the Music City Center.

Hillary Lindsey’s songwriter credits include “Jesus Take The Wheel” (Carrie Underwood), “Girl Crush” (Little Big Town) and “Blue Ain’t Your Color” (Keith Urban). Gary Nicholson’s resume is known for “The Trouble With The Truth” (Patty Loveless), “One More Last Chance” (Vince Gill) and “She Couldn’t Change Me” (Montgomery-Gentry). David Malloy’s hits include “Drivin’ My Life Away” (Eddie Rabbitt), “Suspicions” (Eddie Rabbitt; also Tim McGraw) and “Love Will Turn You Around” (Kenny Rogers). Shania Twain recorded many of her self-penned hits, including “You’re Still The One,” “Come On Over” and “Forever And For Always.” Steve Wariner popularized many of his own compositions, including “You Can Dream Of Me,” “Where Did I Go Wrong” and “Holes In The Floor Of Heaven.”

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Nominees, Date Announced For 2022 Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame Gala

Twelve exemplary tunesmiths are 2022 contemporary nominees for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF).

The new group will be among those honored at the 52nd Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on Sunday, October 30, 2022, at the Music City Center.

“We congratulate all of this year’s nominees in our contemporary categories and look forward to early August when we will announce those who will be inducted as members of our Class of 2022,” says NaSHOF Executive Director Mark Ford.

2022 nominees in the Contemporary Songwriters category are:
Larry Cordle
Jim Lauderdale
Hillary Lindsey
Frank J. Myers
Gary Nicholson
Ronnie Rogers
Tia Sillers
Tommy Sims

2022 nominees in the Contemporary Songwriter/Artists category are:
Kirk Franklin
Brad Paisley
Pam Tillis
Shania Twain

All nominees experienced their first significant songs at least 20 years ago. A total of two songwriters and one songwriter/artist will be elected from the contemporary categories by members of the Hall of Fame along with other professional songwriters and artists from a variety of genres who are prominently identified with Nashville and who have written/co-written at least one original and significant Nashville song.

In addition, two more will be named to the Class of 2022. A separate body of veteran voters will elect a Veteran Songwriter and a Veteran Songwriter/Artist, both of whom experienced their first significant songs at least 30 years ago. As part of that process, nominees in those categories are not announced.

ABOUT THE NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME 2022 NOMINEES:

Category 1 - CONTEMPORARY SONGWRITERS

LARRY CORDLE
Larry Cordle was raised in eastern Kentucky, where he began playing guitar and writing songs at a young age. His first two hits came from childhood friend Ricky Skaggs – #1 Country in 1983 with “Highway 40 Blues” and #1 Bluegrass in 1984 with “Two Highways” (also #1 Bluegrass for Alison Krauss in 1990). In the Country world, Larry is known for “Heartbreak Hurricane” by Skaggs, “Honky Tonk Crowd” by John Anderson and “Mama Don’t Forget To Pray For Me” by Diamond Rio. Before George Strait & Alan Jackson hit with “Murder On Music Row” – which was the 2001 CMA Song of the Year – Larry’s original recording with his band, Lonesome Standard Time (LST), was the 2000 IBMA Song of the Year and the 2001 SPBGMA Song of the Year. In the Bluegrass world, Larry & LST have had 24 Top 10 hits with his songs. In addition to “Anything Southbound” and “Black Diamond Strings,” LST’s “Lonesome Standard Time” was the 1993 IBMA Song of the Year, (and also a Country hit for Kathy Mattea). “If I’d Have Wrote That Song” by Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, was named the 2018 IBMA Song of the Year. Larry was named the 2001, 2019 and 2020 SPBGMA Songwriter of the Year. In 2015, he was inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.

JIM LAUDERDALE
Born in Troutman, NC, Jim Lauderdale grew up in Due West, SC, where as a teenager he learned to play drums, harmonica and banjo. After college graduation in 1979, Jim made his way to Nashville for a few months before moving on to New York. By the late 1980s, Jim had joined the national touring production of Pump Boys & Dinettes and relocated to Los Angeles, where he began to find traction musically as a writer and performer. In the mid-1990s, Jim found his way back to Nashville, where he soon hit with “Gonna Get A Life” by Mark Chesnutt, “Halfway Down” by Patty Loveless and “When Did You Stop Loving Me” by George Strait, who also had hits with Jim’s “We Really Shouldn’t Be Doing This,” “What Do You Say To That” and “I Gotta Get To You.” A recording artist himself with 30 albums, Jim also has numerous Bluegrass hits, including “Mighty Lonesome” and “One Blue Mule.” His collaborations with Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys have yielded the Top 10 “I Feel Like Singing Today” and “She’s Looking At Me,” the 2002 AMA Song of the Year. In recognition of his particular and significant influence on the Americana format, Jim was honored with the AMA’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.

HILLARY LINDSEY
Born in Washington, GA, Hillary Lindsey moved to Nashville in 1994 to attend Belmont University. During her senior year she signed her first publishing deal. In 2002 she celebrated her first #1 hit – “Blessed” by Martina McBride. In 2005 Hillary scored Carrie Underwood’s first single from her first album – “Jesus Take The Wheel,” a multi-genre hit that earned the 2006 Grammy for Best Country Song, as well as the 2006 ASCAP Country Song of the Year, the 2006 NSAI Song of the Year and the 2005 ACM Single of the Year. Underwood has recorded nearly 40 of Hillary’s songs, including “So Small” and “Wasted.” Other chart-toppers from Hillary’s pen are “American Honey” by Lady Antebellum, “A Little Bit Stronger” by Sara Evans, “Shotgun Rider” by Tim McGraw, “Girl Crush” by Little Big Town (which earned the 2015 Grammy for Best Country Song, the 2015 CMA Song and Single of the Year, the 2015 NSAI Song of the Year) and “Blue Ain’t Your Color” by Keith Urban (the 2017 CMA Single of the Year, the 2017 NSAI Song of the Year). Additionally, “I’ll Never Love Again” by Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper (from the film A Star Is Born) earned the 2019 Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media. Hillary was named ACM Songwriter of the Year in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

FRANK J. MYERS
Frank J. Myers grew up in Dayton, Ohio. His father taught him to play guitar, and by age 14, Frank had formed a band with his brother. In 1981, Frank moved to Nashville, where he was hired by Eddy Raven as a guitar player – later becoming Raven’s band leader and road manager. During that time, Frank co-wrote 10 Top 10 singles for Raven, including “Bayou Boys,” “I Got Mexico” and “Sometimes A Lady.” In 1982, Frank’s “You And I” became a hit for Eddie Rabbitt and Crystal Gayle. Other hits from Frank’s catalog include “My Front Porch Looking In” by Lonestar, “Come In Out Of The Pain” by Doug Stone and “Once Upon A Lifetime” by Alabama. The John Michael Montgomery version of “I Swear” earned a slew of awards — 1994 Grammy for Best Country Song, 1994 ACM Song and Single of the Year, 1994 CMA Single of the Year, 1994 NSAI Song of the Year, 1995 ASCAP Country Song of the Year — with the All 4 One version topping the Pop chart for 11 consecutive weeks. “I’m Already There” by Lonestar was the 2002 ASCAP Country Song of the Year and the 2002 BMI Country Song of the Year. “Tomorrow” by Chris Young was the 2011 SESAC Country Song of the Year.

GARY NICHOLSON
Raised in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Texas native Gary Nicholson got a guitar at age 10. He wrote songs and played in Rock bands throughout his teens before moving with his college band to Los Angeles. Following a stint on an MCA Records imprint, Gary returned to Texas in 1973. A song he sent to Nashville made it onto the 1980 soundtrack of Urban Cowboy 2, thanks to good friend/producer Jim Ed Norman. With that success, Gary moved to Music City, where he worked as a guitar player and a songwriter for Norman’s publishing company. In 1983 “Your Love Shines Through” by Gilley gave Gary his first Top 5 song and paved the way for future successes such as “That’s The Thing About Love” by Don Williams, “The Power Of Love” by Charley Pride, “Working Without A Net” by Waylon Jennings, “Brilliant Conversationalist” by T. Graham Brown, “One More Last Chance” by Vince Gill, “Live Laugh Love” by Clay Walker, “She Couldn’t Change Me” by Montgomery-Gentry and “Squeeze Me In” by Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood. Gary’s song “Fallin’ and Flyin’” was performed by Jeff Bridges & Colin Farrell in the 2009 film Crazy Heart. Gary has 600 recorded songs spanning multiple genres. In 2011 he was inducted into the Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame.

RONNIE ROGERS
Born and raised in Nashville, Randall “Ronnie” Rogers’s parents were active in Gospel music and passed their talents on to their son. After military service in Vietnam, Ronnie began to pursue a career in music. Following a single as an artist on Rice Records in 1972, he began to find success as a songwriter with cuts by Johnny Russell, Dave Dudley and Loretta Lynn. In 1977, Ronnie scored his first Top 10 with “It’s A Cowboy Lovin’ Night” by Tanya Tucker. In 1983, he had the hit singles “My First Taste Of Texas” by Ed Bruce and “Dixieland Delight” by Alabama, which began a long and successful partnership with the band. To date, Ronnie has had more than 40 cuts by Alabama, including “Jukebox In My Mind,” “Pass It On Down,” “Take A Little Trip” and “Give Me One More Shot.” Ronnie is also the co-writer of the Mark Chesnutt singles “Blame It On Texas” and “Goin’ Through The Big D,” as well as “Only In America” by Brooks & Dunn. Ronnie’s songs have been recorded by artists such as Toby Keith, George Strait, Dierks Bentley, Gary Allan, Lee Ann Womack, Ray Charles, Old Crow Medicine Show and Levon Helm.

TIA SILLERS
Connecticut-born, Nashville-raised Tia Sillers became hooked on songwriting in high school. Her first hit was “Lipstick Promises” by college co-writer George Ducas in 1995 — the same year that Kenny Wayne Shepherd made “Deja Voodoo” a Top 10 Rock hit. Three years later Shepherd’s #1 Rock hit “Blue On Black” earned the 1998 Billboard Music Award for Rock Track of the Year. (The song was re-recorded in 2019 by Five Finger Death Punch with Shepherd, Brantley Gilbert & Brian May.) In 2008 “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack became a chart-topping multi-genre smash that earned the 2000 Grammy for Best Country Song, as well as the 2000 ACM Song and Single of the Year, the 2000 CMA Song and Single of the Year, the 2001 ASCAP Country Song of the Year, the 2001 BMI Country Song of the Year and the 2000-2001 NSAI Song of the Year. “Jonah, Job And Moses” by The Oak Ridge Boys was named the 2007 GMA Dove Country Song of the Year. “Dance With Me” by Johnny Reid was the 2010 Canadian CMA Song of the Year. Other songs from Tia’s catalog include “There’s Your Trouble” by the Dixie Chicks, “That’d Be Alright” by Alan Jackson, “A Joyful Noise” by Jo Dee Messina and “Heaven, Heartache And The Power Of Love” by Trisha Yearwood.

TOMMY SIMS
Born in Chicago and raised in Michigan, Tommy Sims grew up on Gospel music and Soul music. When he and some friends began performing after college, they eventually landed in Nashville, where he became the bassist for Christian Rock band White Heart from 1987 to 1989. In 1994, Tommy scored his first #1 songs as a songwriter with Amy Grant – “Children Of The World” and “Helping Hand.” In 1995 his “R.I.O.T. (Righteous Invasion Of Truth)” by Carman was named the 1996 GMA Dove Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year. The following year one of his songs was featured in the film Phenomenon. The song was the multi-chart-topping hit “Change The World” by Eric Clapton, which earned the 1997 Grammy for Best Song and for Record of the Year. Tommy’s songwriting catalog also includes the Country hits “Love Is The Right Place” by Bryan White and “A Promise I Make” by Dakota Moon, the AC hits “Lost In You” by Garth Brooks (as Chris Gaines) and “I Can’t Help You Now” by Bonnie Raitt, and the Gospel hits “Anybody Wanna Pray” by CeCe Winans w/ GRITS (the 2002 GMA Dove Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year) and “Just Wanna Say” by Israel Houghton (the 2010 GMA Dove Urban Song of the Year).

Category 2 - CONTEMPORARY SONGWRITER/ARTISTS

KIRK FRANKLIN
Kirk Franklin was born in Fort Worth, TX. His work with the Dallas-Fort Worth Mass Choir at age 19 ultimately led to a record deal. In 1993, Kirk Franklin & The Family released their debut album, which sold more than a million units and remained #1 on the Gospel album charts for 42 weeks. The album’s breakout single – “Why We Sing” – was named the 1994 GMA Dove Traditional Gospel Song of the Year. From there, “Stomp” by Kirk Franklin w/ God’s Property & Salt was a #1 R&B hit that was named the 1998 GMA Dove Urban Song of the Year and became the first Gospel song played in heavy rotation on MTV. “Revolution” by Kirk Franklin w/ Rodney Jerkins was the 1999 GMA Dove Urban Song of the Year. As a solo artist, Kirk’s #1 Gospel/#5 R&B “Looking For You” was the 2006 GMA Dove Urban Song of the Year and earned the 2007 Grammy for Best Gospel Song. “Help Me Believe” earned the 2009 Grammy for Best Gospel Song. “Hello Fear” earned the 2012 Grammy for Best Gospel Song. His #1 Gospel/#12 R&B “I Smile” was the 2012 BMI Christian Song of the Year and the 2012 GMA Dove Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year. “Wanna Be Happy?” earned the 2016 Grammy for Best Gospel Song. “Love Theory” was the 2019 GMA Dove Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year and earned the 2020 Grammy for Best Gospel Song. “Never Alone,” his #1 Gospel collaboration with Tori Kelly, earned the 2019 Grammy for Best Gospel Song. Kirk was the 2003 BMI Christian Songwriter of the Year.

BRAD PAISLEY
Brad Paisley was born and raised in Glen Dale, West Virginia. He received his first guitar from his grandfather, who taught him to play at eight years old. At age 13, Brad wrote his first song, which he performed publicly and which eventually led him to an eight-year stint performing on Wheeling’s Jamboree USA. After high-school graduation and two years at West Liberty State College, Brad was awarded a fully paid ASCAP scholarship to Belmont University in Nashville where he majored in music business. A week after graduating from Belmont, Brad signed as a writer with EMI Music Publishing. Following cuts by David Kersh, David Ball and Tracy Byrd, Brad signed with Arista Nashville and soon began to record his own songs. As an artist, he has placed 33 self-penned Top 20 songs on the Billboard charts, including 15 #1s and 14 more in the Top 10. Among those compositions are “He Didn’t Have To Be,” “Alcohol,” “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song),” “Celebrity,” “Ticks,” “Letter To Me,” “Then,” “This Is Country Music,” “Water,” and his duet with Carrie Underwood “Remind Me.” A member of the Grand Ole Opry since 2001, Brad was ASCAP’s 2004 Country Songwriter/Artist of the Year. He was NSAI’s Songwriter/Artist of the Year in 2002 and 2005.

PAM TILLIS
Born in Plant City, FL, Pam Tillis grew up in Nashville thanks to having Country music star Mel Tillis for a father. At age eight, she sang with him on the Grand Ole Opry and began taking piano lessons. By age 12, she was playing guitar. Recovering from a near-fatal car accident at 16, she enrolled briefly at the University of Tennessee before dropping out in 1976 to move to San Francisco, where she sang in a Jazz and Rock band. Returning to Nashville a few years later, Pam recorded a largely co-written 1983 Pop album for Warner Bros. In 1989 Pam enjoyed her first Top 40 single as a writer with “When Love Comes Around The Bend” by Juice Newton. The following year Highway 101 reached the Top 15 with Pam’s “Someone Else’s Trouble Now.” In the early 1990s Pam was one of the first five acts signed to Arista Nashville. Her self-penned hits as an Arista artist were “One Of Those Things,” “Put Yourself In My Place,” “Blue Rose Is,” “Cleopatra, Queen Of Denial,” “Spilled Perfume,” “It’s Lonely Out There” and the chart-topping “Mi Vida Loca (My Crazy Life).” In 2000, Pam was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. In 2012 she enjoyed the IBMA-nominated Bluegrass hit “Somewhere South Of Crazy” by Dale Ann Bradley.

SHANIA TWAIN
Shania Twain was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. During high school, she began writing songs and fronting a local cover band. After graduation, she toured Ontario with another band before returning home in 1987 to care for her younger siblings after their parents died in a car accident. She continued to perform and five years later was signed to Mercury Nashville. Since the release of her debut album 1993, Shania has placed 22 self-penned Top 20 songs on the Billboard charts, including 7 #1s and 8 more in the Top 10. Among those compositions are “You’re Still The One” (1998 Grammy for Best Country Song / 1999 BMI Country Song of the Year), “Come On Over” (1999 Grammy for Best Country Song) and “Forever And For Always” (2004 BMI Country Song of the Year), along with “You’ve Got A Way,” “(If You’re Not In It For Love) I’m Outta Here!,” “Love Gets Me Every Time,” “No One Needs To Know,” “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!,” “From This Moment On” and “That Don’t Impress Me Much.” Shania was named NSAI’s 1998 Songwriter/Artist of the Year, as well as BMI’s 1999 Country Songwriter of the Year and 2000 Country Songwriter of the Year. She was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2011.

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January 25 2022

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NaSHOF Names 2021 Hall Of Fame Class

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF) has announced its Class of 2021: Amy Grant, Toby Keith, Rhett Akins, Buddy Cannon and John Scott Sherrill. The five will be inducted into the Hall this November, according to an announcement made today (July 13) by Sarah Cates, chair of the organization’s board of directors, and Mark Ford, its executive director.

The five new inductees-elect will join the 213 previously inducted members of the elite organization when they are officially inducted during the “50/51” Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on Monday, November 1, at the Music City Center. Because the organization’s 50th Anniversary celebration was postponed last year, this year’s event will honor two classes in a special double-sized event that will also spotlight NaSHOF’s previously named Class of 2020: Steve Earle, Bobbie Gentry, Kent Blazy, Brett James and Spooner Oldham.

"Today is one of my favorite days of the year, as we begin our journey to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala in November with the announcement of our upcoming class,” says Cates. "Nashville has always been the home of legendary songs written by the world’s finest songwriters – and this class is no exception. It’s our great honor today to welcome our class of 2021: Rhett Akins and Buddy Cannon in the songwriter category; John Scott Sherrill in the veteran songwriter category; Toby Keith as our songwriter/artist and Amy Grant as our veteran songwriter/artist.”

Rhett Akins’ songwriter credits include his own “That Ain’t My Truck,” as well as “Honey Bee” (Blake Shelton) and “It Goes Like This” (Thomas Rhett). Buddy Cannon’s resume is known for “Set ’Em Up Joe” (Vern Gosdin), “I’ve Come To Expect It From You” (George Strait) and “Give It Away” (George Strait). John Scott Sherrill’s hits include “Wild And Blue” (John Anderson), “The Church On Cumberland Road” (Shenandoah) and “How Long Gone” (Brooks & Dunn). Amy Grant popularized many of her own compositions, including “Baby Baby,” “That’s What Love Is For” and “Tennessee Christmas.” Toby Keith recorded many of his self-penned hits, including “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” “How Do You Like Me Now?!” and “As Good As I Once Was.”

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Nominees, Date Announced For 2021 Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame Gala

June 14 2021

Twelve exemplary tunesmiths are 2021 nominees for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF).

The new group will be among those honored at the “50/51” Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on Monday, November 1, 2021, at the Music City Center alongside the organization’s previously named Class of 2020: Steve Earle, Bobbie Gentry, Kent Blazy, Brett James and Spooner Oldham.

“We were forced to postpone our 50th Anniversary celebration last year, so this will be our ‘50/51’ party – celebrating two years and two classes in a special double-sized event,” says NaSHOF Executive Director Mark Ford. “We congratulate all of this year’s nominees and look forward to next month, when we will announce those who will be inducted as members of the Class of 2021.”

2021 nominees in the Songwriters category are:
Rhett Akins
Buddy Cannon
Larry Cordle
Carl Jackson
Mary Ann Kennedy
David Malloy
Frank J. Myers
Tia Sillers

2021 nominees in the Songwriter/Artists category are:
Toby Keith
Brad Paisley
Shania Twain
Phil Vassar

All nominees experienced their first significant (Top 20) songs at least 20 years ago. Two songwriters and one songwriter/artist will be elected in these categories by their professional songwriter peers and members of the Hall of Fame.

In addition, two more will be named to the Class of 2021. A separate body of veteran voters will elect a veteran songwriter and a veteran songwriter/artist, both of whom experienced their first significant (Top 20) songs at least 30 years ago. As part of that process, nominees in those categories are not announced.

ABOUT THE NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME 2021 NOMINEES:

Category 1 - SONGWRITERS

RHETT AKINS
Valdosta, Georgia, native Rhett Akins began his professional music career as a performer at San Antonio’s Fiesta Texas theme park. In 1992, he made the move to Nashville. Initially a performer at Opryland theme park, he also worked as a demo singer, later signing a recording contract with Decca Records. As an artist, Rhett topped the charts in the mid-1990s with “Don’t Get Me Started” and his signature song, “That Ain’t My Truck.” By the later 2000s, Rhett was writing songs for other artists, including “Put A Girl In It” by Brooks & Dunn, “What’s Your Country Song” by Thomas Rhett, “All About Tonight” by Blake Shelton and “Boys ’Round Here” by Blake Shelton w/ Pistol Annies & Friends. Rhett also wrote “All Over Me” by Josh Turner (the 2011 BMI Country Song of the Year), “Honey Bee” by Blake Shelton (the 2012 ASCAP Country Song of the Year), “Take A Back Road” by Rodney Atkins (the 2012 BMI Country Song of the Year) and “It Goes Like This” by Thomas Rhett (the 2014 ASCAP Country Song of the Year). Rhett was named BMI Country Songwriter of the Year in 2011 and 2014. He was the 2017 ACM Songwriter of the Year and the 2019 ACM Songwriter of the Decade.

BUDDY CANNON
Buddy Cannon was born in Lexington, Tennessee. He began his diverse career as a songwriter/singer/musician/publisher/producer/label executive in the early 1970s as bass player in Bob Luman’s band, later making the jump to play in Mel Tillis’ band and write for his publishing company. During their 11 years together, Tillis recorded several of Buddy’s songs, including the chart-topping “I Believe In You.” Throughout his career, Buddy’s keen song sense has served him well in the studio, helping select and record hit songs for artists ranging from Shania Twain to Kenny Chesney to Willie Nelson, with whom he has written regularly since 2008. Buddy’s credits as a songwriter include “She’s Not Cryin’ Anymore” by Billy Ray Cyrus, “Look At Us” by Craig Morgan, “I’ve Come To Expect It From You” by George Strait, the Vern Gosdin hits “I’m Still Crazy,” “Set ’Em Up Joe” and “Dream Of Me,” as well as the Sammy Kershaw hits “Anywhere But Here” and “If You’re Gonna Walk, I’m Gonna Crawl.” “Give It Away” by George Strait was named the 2007 ACM Song and Single of the Year and the 2007 CMA Song of the Year.

LARRY CORDLE
Larry Cordle was raised in eastern Kentucky, where he began playing guitar and writing songs at a young age. He scored his first hit in 1983 when Ricky Skaggs topped the Country charts with “Highway 40 Blues.” Two years later, Larry moved to Nashville and began creating a catalog that includes “Heartbreak Hurricane” by Ricky Skaggs, “Honky Tonk Crowd” by John Anderson, “Mama Don’t Forget To Pray For Me” by Diamond Rio, “Against The Grain” by Garth Brooks and “Hollywood Squares” by George Strait. “Lonesome Standard Time,” by Larry’s band of the same name, was the 1993 IBMA Song of the Year, as well as a Country hit for Kathy Mattea. “Murder On Music Row,” also by Lonesome Standard Time, was the 2000 IBMA Song of the Year and the 2001 SPBGMA Song of the Year. The following year, the Country version by George Strait & Alan Jackson was named the 2001 CMA Song of the Year. “If I’d Have Wrote That Song” by Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, was named the 2018 IBMA Song of the Year. He was named the 2001, 2019 and 2020 SPBGMA Songwriter of the Year. He was inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in 2015.

CARL JACKSON
Carl Jackson was born in the small town of Louisville, Miss. By age 8, he was well on his way to being an accomplished musician, and by age 14, he was invited to play banjo in Jim and Jesse McReynolds’s band. Five years later, Carl joined Glen Campbell’s band. During that time, Carl began to concentrate on songwriting. Among his diverse catalog of songs, Carl has Bluegrass hits such as “Comet Ride” by Ricky Skaggs and “Run Mississippi” by Rhonda Vincent; Gospel hits such as “It’s Not What You Know (It’s Who You Know)” by The Whites; and Country hits such as “(Love Always) Letter To Home” by Glen Campbell, “No Future In The Past” by Vince Gill, “Put Yourself In My Place” by Pam Tillis, “Breaking New Ground” by Wild Rose and his own “Dixie Train.” “Little Mountain Church House” by Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver was named the 1990 IBMA Song of the Year. “Where Shadows Never Fall” by Glen Campbell & Kelly Nelon Thompson earned the 1991 GMA Dove Award for Best Southern Gospel Song. Carl was named the 1998 and 2000 SPBGMA Songwriter of the Year. He was inducted into the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame in 2006.

MARY ANN KENNEDY
Mary Ann Kennedy hails from Muskego, Wisconsin, where she grew up singing in school choirs and performing in her family’s band. After college graduation, she taught junior high school choral music for two years before deciding to move to Nashville in 1978. A few years later, she was signed to a record deal as part of the all-female group Calamity Jane and also saw her first hit as a songwriter – 1982’s “Ring On Her Finger, Time On Her Hands” by Lee Greenwood (later a hit for Reba McEntire in 1996). By 1983, Mary Ann and frequent co-writer Pam Rose left Calamity Jane to form Kennedy Rose. The duo recorded a pair of albums for Sting’s Pangea Records label and toured with him in the early 1990s. Beyond the duo, Mary Ann’s catalog includes songs such as “Dixie Road” by Lee Greenwood, “Me Against The Night” by Crystal Gayle, “Safe In The Arms Of Love” by Martina McBride, “You Will” by Patty Loveless, “A Little Bit Closer” by Tom Wopat and “He’s Letting Go” by Baillie & The Boys. Janie Fricke hit with “Somebody Else’s Fire” and “The First Word In Memory Is Me.” “I’ll Still Be Loving You” by Restless Heart was named the 1988 ASCAP Country Song of the Year.

DAVID MALLOY
California native David Malloy moved with his family from Los Angeles to Nashville at age 13. The son of an award-winning recording engineer, David took his first guitar lesson at 15 and immediately knew that he wanted to write and produce music for a living. After a pair of early singles by Sammi Smith and Carmol Taylor, David’s first major success as a songwriter came through his collaboration with Eddie Rabbitt and Even Stevens. Together, the trio wrote and produced classic chart-topping hits for Rabbitt such as “Drivin’ My Life Away,” “I Love A Rainy Night,” “Step By Step,” “Someone Could Lose A Heart Tonight,” “Gone Too Far” and “You Can’t Run From Love.” Rabbitt’s “Suspicions” (also a hit for Tim McGraw in 2008) was BMI’s 1980 Country Song of the Year. “Love Will Turn You Around” by Kenny Rogers was named ASCAP’s 1983 Country Song of the Year. Other hits from David’s catalog include “Real Love” by Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers and “One Honest Heart” by Reba McEntire.

FRANK J. MYERS
Frank J. Myers grew up in Dayton, Ohio. His father, a champion fiddle player and singer, taught Frank to play the guitar. By age 14, Frank had formed a band with his brother and was featured on Porter Wagoner’s TV show. In 1981, Frank moved to Nashville, where he was hired by Eddy Raven as a guitar player – later becoming Raven’s band leader and road manager. During that time, Frank co-wrote 10 Top 10 singles for Raven, including “Bayou Boys,” “I Got Mexico” and “Sometimes A Lady.” In 1982, Frank’s “You And I” [aka "Just You And I"] became a hit for Eddie Rabbitt and Crystal Gayle. Other hits from Frank’s catalog include “My Front Porch Looking In” by Lonestar, “Come In Out Of The Pain” by Doug Stone and “Once Upon A Lifetime” by Alabama. The John Michael Montgomery version of “I Swear” earned a slew of awards — the 1994 Grammy for Best Country Song / 1994 ACM Song and Single of the Year / 1994 CMA Single of the Year / 1995 ASCAP Country Song of the Year / 1994 NSAI Song of the Year — with the All 4 One version topping the Pop chart for 11 consecutive weeks. “I’m Already There” by Lonestar was the 2002 ASCAP Country Song of the Year and the 2002 BMI Country Song of the Year. “Tomorrow” by Chris Young was the 2011 SESAC Country Song of the Year.

TIA SILLERS
Growing up in Nashville, Tia Sillers became hooked on songwriting as a high-school student when she attended her first songwriters round. Years later her first publishing deal yielded “Lipstick Promises” by George Ducas in 1995. Also that year, Kenny Wayne Shepherd made Tia’s “Deja Voodoo” a Top 10 Rock hit. Three years later, Shepherd delivered a #1 Rock hit with “Blue On Black,” which earned the 1998 Billboard Music Award for Rock Track of the Year. (The song was re-recorded in 2019 by Five Finger Death Punch with Shepherd, Brantley Gilbert & Brian May.) In 2008, Tia’s co-written “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack with The Sons of the Desert became a chart-topping multi-genre smash that earned the 2000 Grammy for Best Country Song, as well as the 2000 ACM Song and Single of the Year, the 2000 CMA Song and Single of the Year, the 2001 ASCAP Country Song of the Year, the 2001 BMI Country Song of the Year and the 2000-2001 NSAI Song of the Year. Other notable songs from Tia’s catalog include “Land Of The Living” by Pam Tillis, “There’s Your Trouble” by the Dixie Chicks, “I Cry” by Tammy Cochran, “That’d Be Alright” by Alan Jackson, “A Joyful Noise” by Jo Dee Messina and “Heaven, Heartache And The Power Of Love” by Trisha Yearwood.

Category 2 - SONGWRITER/ARTISTS

TOBY KEITH
Oklahoma native Toby Keith received his first guitar at age eight. After high-school graduation, he worked in the oil fields by day and played with his band at night. In the early ’90s, one of his demo tapes found its way to producer Harold Shedd, who signed him to a deal with Mercury Records. In 1993 Toby’s solo-written debut single, “Should’ve Been A Cowboy,” reached #1 on the Country chart and would go on to become the most played Country song of the 1990s. As an artist, he has placed 45 self-penned Top 20 songs on the Billboard charts, including 16 #1s and 17 more in the Top 10. Among those compositions are “You Ain’t Much Fun,” “How Do You Like Me Now?!,” “You Shouldn’t Kiss Me Like This,” “Beer For My Horses,” “I Love This Bar,” “American Soldier,” “A Little Too Late” and “God Love Her.” “As Good As I Once Was” was BMI’s 2006 Country Song of the Year. Among his many awards, he was named BMI’s 2001 Songwriter of the Year, 2004 Writer/Artist of the Year and 2006 Songwriter of the Year. He was NSAI’s 2003, 2004, 2006 Songwriter/Artist of the Year, as well as that organization’s Songwriter/Artist of the Decade (2000-2009). He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York in 2015.

BRAD PAISLEY
Brad Paisley was born and raised in Glen Dale, West Virginia. He received his first guitar from his grandfather, who taught him to play at eight years old. At age 13, Brad wrote his first song, which he performed publicly and which eventually led him to an eight-year stint performing on Wheeling’s Jamboree USA. After high-school graduation and two years at West Liberty State College, Brad was awarded a fully paid ASCAP scholarship to Belmont University in Nashville where he majored in music business. A week after graduating from Belmont, Brad signed as a writer with EMI Music Publishing. Following cuts by David Kersh, David Ball and Tracy Byrd, Brad signed with Arista Nashville and soon began to record his own songs. As an artist, he has placed 33 self-penned Top 20 songs on the Billboard charts, including 15 #1s and 14 more in the Top 10. Among those compositions are “He Didn’t Have To Be,” “Alcohol,” “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song),” “Celebrity,” “Ticks,” “Letter To Me,” “Then,” “This Is Country Music,” “Water,” and his duet with Carrie Underwood “Remind Me.” Brad was ASCAP’s 2004 Country Songwriter/Artist of the Year. He was NSAI’s Songwriter/Artist of the Year in 2002 and 2005.

SHANIA TWAIN
Shania Twain was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. When she was two, she moved with her family to Timmins, Ontario. During high school, she began writing songs and fronting a local cover band. After graduation, she toured Ontario with another band before returning home in 1987 to care for her younger siblings after their parents died in a car accident. A few years later she was signed to Mercury Nashville. Since the release of her debut album 1993, Shania has placed 22 self-penned Top 20 songs on the Billboard charts, including 7 #1s and 8 more in the Top 10. Among those compositions are “You’re Still The One” (1998 Grammy for Best Country Song / 1999 BMI Country Song of the Year), “Come On Over” (1999 Grammy for Best Country Song) and “Forever And For Always” (2004 BMI Country Song of the Year), along with “You’ve Got A Way,” “(If You’re Not In It For Love) I’m Outta Here!,” “Love Gets Me Every Time,” “No One Needs To Know,” “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!,” “From This Moment On” and “That Don’t Impress Me Much.” Shania was named NSAI’s 1998 Songwriter/Artist of the Year, as well as BMI’s 1999 and 2000 Country Songwriter of the Year. She was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2011.

PHIL VASSAR
Phil Vassar was born in Lynchburg, Virginia. During his college years, he began playing piano and singing in local clubs. Moving to Nashville to pursue music, Phil found the going slow for several years until 1997 when some of his initial songs were recorded by BlackHawk, Skip Ewing, and The Sons of the Desert. Then in 1998, Phil’s songs started gaining traction as singles for a variety of artists. During the next two years, he garnered six chart-topping hits from Collin Raye, Alan Jackson, Jo Dee Messina (including the #1 “Bye, Bye”) and Tim McGraw (including the #1 “My Next Thirty Years”). During that time, he was named NSAI’s 1998 Songwriter of the Year and ASCAP’s 1999 Country Songwriter of the Year. In late 1999, Phil signed a record deal with Arista Nashville. Released the following year, his debut album generated the self-penned hits “Carlene,” “Rose Bouquet,” “Six-Pack Summer,” “That’s When I Love You” and “Just Another Day In Paradise,” Phil’s first #1 as an artist. Propelled by that success, he was named ASCAP’s 2001 Country Songwriter/Artist of the Year. Other hits by Phil as an artist include “American Child,” “In A Real Love” and “Last Day Of My Life.” He was named NSAI’s 2006 Songwriter/Artist of the Year.

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2020 Nominees for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Announced

Twelve exemplary tunesmiths are 2020 nominees for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF) – eight in the Songwriters category and four in the Songwriter/Artists category.

This year’s nominees in the Songwriters category are:
Kent Blazy
Shawn Camp
Don Henry
Brett James
Tony Martin
Steve Seskin
Tia Sillers
George Teren

The nominees in the Songwriter/Artists category are:
Kix Brooks
Steven Curtis Chapman
Steve Earle
Phil Vassar

All nominees experienced their first significant (Top 20) songs at least 20 years ago. Two songwriters and one songwriter/artist will be elected in these categories by their professional songwriter peers.

The three will be joined by two more. A separate body of veteran voters will elect a veteran songwriter and a veteran songwriter/artist, both of whom experienced their first significant (Top 20) songs at least 30 years ago. As part of that process, nominees in those categories are not announced.

The five inductees-elect are typically honored at the organization’s annual Gala, where they are officially inducted into the Hall of Fame; however, because of the current health climate, the 2020 event has been rescheduled to 2021. This year’s class will be honored alongside the Class of 2021 in a special double-sized Gala next fall. Details on the 2021 event will be forthcoming.

Congratulations to all!

ABOUT THE NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME 2020 NOMINEES:

Category 1 - SONGWRITERS

KENT BLAZY
Kent Blazy grew up in Lexington, Kentucky, playing in various local bands. By the mid-’70s, he was touring as a guitar player for Canadian legend Ian Tyson. After a first-place win in a national songwriting competition, Kent decided to make the move to Nashville. In 1982, Gary Morris sent Kent’s “Headed For A Heartache” to #5 on the Country chart. Soon after, other cuts followed with The Forester Sisters, T. Graham Brown, Donna Fargo and Moe Bandy. In 1987, Kent was introduced to new demo singer Garth Brooks. The two began writing together, and their first collaboration, “If Tomorrow Never Comes,” became Brooks’ first #1 single and NSAI’s 1989 Song of the Year. Their writing partnership yielded four additional Top 5 songs with “Ain’t Goin’ Down (’Til The Sun Comes Up),” “Somewhere Other Than The Night,” “It’s Midnight Cinderella” and “She’s Gonna Make It.” Kent also was a co-writer on the Brooks & George Jones duet “Beer Run,” as well as on “That’s What I Get For Lovin’ You” by Diamond Rio, “My Best Days Are Ahead Of Me” by American Idol finalist Danny Gokey and “Gettin’ You Home (The Black Dress Song)” by Chris Young.

SHAWN CAMP
Shawn Camp grew up on a farm outside of Perryville, Arkansas. Through both parents, who sang and played guitar, he was infuseed with a love of music. Shawn picked up a guitar at age five and by age 20 had moved to Nashville, where he found work in the late ’80s as a fiddle player in backing bands for The Osborne Brothers, Jerry Reed, Alan Jackson and Trisha Yearwood. After charting a pair of self-penned singles in 1993 as a recording artist on Warner Bros. Records (“Fallin’ Never Felt So Good” and “Confessin’ My Love”), Shawn turned his attention to writing songs — earning his first #1 hits in 1998 with “Two Piña Coladas” by Garth Brooks and “How Long Gone” by Brooks & Dunn. In 2006, he had Top 5 singles with “Nobody But Me” by Blake Shelton and “Would You Go With Me” by Josh Turner. Shawn also co-wrote Turner’s “Firecracker,” as well as “River Of Love” by George Strait and “Love Done Gone” by Billy Currington. Shawn’s songs have been recorded by many Bluegrass artists. Additionally, he is a member of the award-winning band The Earls of Leicester, a three-time Bluegrass Entertainer of the Year honoree.

DON HENRY
California native Don Henry began writing songs at age 13. By the late 1970s, he was ready to give Nashville a try. His early success came from cuts by T.G. Sheppard and John Conlee, who singled “Blue Highway.” Conlee also recorded “Class Reunion,” as did The Oak Ridge Boys, Gene Watson and Ray Charles. Kathy Mattea has recorded a several of Don’s songs, including “Beautiful Fool,” “Whole Lotta Holes,” and the heart-wrenching “Where’ve You Been.” Also recorded by Patti Page and Dailey & Vincent, that song earned 1990’s Grammy for Best Country Song, as well as the 1989 ACM Song of the Year, the 1990 CMA Song of the Year and the 1990 NSAI Song of the Year. In 1993 Don released a critically acclaimed album on Sony Records titled Wild In the Backyard. Many of those songs, such as “Harley” and “Mr. God” have become staples in his solo acoustic performance repertoire. Among other hits from Don’s catalogue are “Heart Vs. Heart” by Pake McEntire, “Has Anybody Seen Amy?” by John & Audrey Wiggins and “All Kinds Of Kinds” by Miranda Lambert. Don also records and performs in the duo The Don Juans.

BRETT JAMES
Midway through medical school, Oklahoma City native Brett James left college to pursue music in Nashville. After several years as an Arista/Career recording artist, he continued writing for others, scoring early cuts by Billy Ray Cyrus, Kenny Chesney and Martina McBride. In 2001, “Who I Am” by Jessica Andrews became Brett’s first #1 hit. In 2006, the chart-topping “Jesus Take The Wheel” by Carrie Underwood earned the 2006 Grammy for Best Country Song, as well as the 2005 ACM Single of the Year, the 2006 ASCAP Country Song of the Year and the 2006 NSAI Song of the Year. Now with more than 300 major-label cuts, Brett’s catalogue includes hits such as “When The Sun Goes Down” by Kenny Chesney & Uncle Kracker, “Cowboy Casanova” by Carrie Underwood, “It’s America” by Rodney Atkins, “Out Last Night” by Kenny Chesney, “Summer Nights” by Rascal Flatts, “The Man I Want To Be” by Chris Young and “Bottoms Up” by Brantley Gilbert. Brett also has a Top 5 Latin hit with “The One You Love (Todo Mi Amor)” by Paulina Rubio. Brett was named ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year in 2006 and 2010.In 2020, he released a new self-written album titled I Am Now.

TONY MARTIN
Born in Georgia and raised in Nashville, Tony Martin has been around Country songwriting his entire life. The son of classic Country composer Glenn Martin, Tony grew up at the feet of other stellar songwriters such as Sonny Throckmorton, Mickey Newbury and Hank Cochran. During his time as a journalist for a Chicago newspaper, Tony was writing parody songs for fun when his father urged him to take his talent more seriously. On his 10th attempt, Tony wrote “Baby’s Gotten Good At Goodbye,” which his father successfully pitched to George Strait. The song proved to be the dream scenario for a songwriter. It was Tony’s first demo, first cut, first single, first hit and first #1. Since that time, Tony has added more chart-topping hits to his resume. Among those are “Banjo” by Rascal Flatts, “I’ll Think Of A Reason Later” by Lee Ann Womack, “Just To See You Smile” by Tim McGraw, “Living And Living Well” by George Strait, “No Place That Far” by Sara Evans, “Settle For A Slow Down” by Dierks Bentley, “Third Rock From The Sun” by Joe Diffie, “Time Is Love” by Josh Turner and “You Look Good In My Shirt” by Keith Urban.

STEVE SESKIN
New York-born Steve Seskin began his songwriting career when he moved to San Francisco in 1972. Upon the advice of Crystal Gayle, Steve visited Nashville in 1985 and began co-writing. He first hit the Country chart in 1990 with “Wrong” by Waylon Jennings. He has enjoyed particular success with both John Michael Montgomery (“Life’s A Dance,” “If You’ve Got Love,” “No Man’s Land”) and Neal McCoy (“No Doubt About It” and “For A Change”). His “Don’t Laugh At Me” by Mark Wills was named the 1998 NSAI Song of the Year. The version by Peter, Paul and Mary became the impetus for the Operation Respect/Don’t Laugh at Me project, a curriculum designed to teach tolerance in schools. Other Steve Seskin hits include “Daddy’s Money” by Ricochet, the Grammy-nominated “Grown Men Don’t Cry” by Tim McGraw and “I Think About You” by Collin Raye. That song’s video was named the ACM 1997 Video of the Year, while the song and video were awarded by the Tennessee Task Force Against Domestic Violence. A successful performer and recording artist on his own, Steve has recorded numerous CDs for his own label. He divides his time among Nashville, Northern California and touring.

TIA SILLERS
Growing up in Nashville, Tia Sillers became hooked on songwriting as a high-school student when she attended her first songwriters round. Years later her first publishing deal yielded “Lipstick Promises” by George Ducas in 1995. Also that year, Kenny Wayne Shepherd made Tia’s “Deja Voodoo” a Top 10 Rock hit. Three years later, Shepherd delivered a #1 Rock hit with “Blue On Black,” which earned the 1998 Billboard Music Award for Rock Track of the Year. (The song was re-recorded in 2019 by Five Finger Death Punch with Shepherd, Brantley Gilbert & Brian May.) In 2008, Tia’s co-written “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack with The Sons of the Desert became a chart-topping multi-genre smash that earned the 2000 Grammy for Best Country Song, as well as the 2000 ACM Song and Single of the Year, the 2000 CMA Song and Single of the Year, the 2001 ASCAP Country Song of the Year, the 2001 BMI Country Song of the Year and the 2000-2001 NSAI Song of the Year. Other notable songs from Tia’s catalogue include “Land Of The Living” by Pam Tillis, “There’s Your Trouble” by The Dixie Chicks, “I Cry” by Tammy Cochran, “That’d Be Alright” by Alan Jackson, “A Joyful Noise” by Jo Dee Messina and “Heaven, Heartache And The Power Of Love” by Trisha Yearwood.

GEORGE TEREN
Massachusetts native George Teren moved to Nashville in 1987. During the 1990s, George’s songs were recorded by artists such as Billy Dean, Neal McCoy, Andy Williams and John Michael Montgomery. In 1997, George celebrated his first Top 5 single, “She’s Sure Taking It Well” by Kevin Sharp, as well as his first #1 single, “Running Out Of Reasons To Run” by Rick Trevino. Two years later, George concluded the decade with the #3 “Busy Man” by Billy Ray Cyrus and soon began the 2000s with more hits: “Man Of Me” by Gary Allan, “A Good Way To Get On My Bad Side” by Tracy Byrd with Mark Chesnutt, “Homewrecker” by Gretchen Wilson and “Stealing Cinderella” by Chuck Wicks. Three more songs from George’s catalogue – “Real Good Man” by Tim McGraw, “When I Get Where I’m Going” by Brad Paisley with Dolly Parton and “Ladies Love Country Boys” by Trace Adkins – all reached #1 on the Country chart. George is a multiple award-winning writer and producer of music for radio and TV with a Clio, a Mobius and a number of Tellys and Emmys to his credit. He has composed themes for the NBA, ABC College Football and CBS Winter Olympics.

Category 2 - SONGWRITER/ARTISTS

KIX BROOKS
Raised in Shreveport, Louisiana, Kix Brooks was playing guitar by age 6, entertaining audiences by age 12 and writing songs by age 14. After stints working on an oil pipeline in Alaska and as an advertising copywriter in Maine, he moved Nashville in 1979. He first hit the charts as a singer-songwriter on an independent label in 1983, then signed with Capitol Records for his debut solo album in 1988. Between 1983 and 1992, Kix’s songwriting yielded three #1 Country hits — “I’m Only In It For The Love” by John Conlee, “Modern Day Romance” by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and “Who’s Lonely Now” by Highway 101 — plus a #2 hit with “Sacred Ground” by McBride & The Ride. During the 1990s and 2000s, Kix teamed with Ronnie Dunn to form Brooks & Dunn. Kix co-wrote many of the band’s hits, including “Brand New Man,” “Lost And Found,” “Mama Don’t Get Dressed Up For Nothing,” “My Next Broken Heart,” “Only In America” and “You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone.” With more than 30 million records sold, they are the highest-selling duo in the history of Country music. Together, they earned more than 75 major industry awards — including the CMA’s Vocal Duo of the Year a record 14 times — culminating in their 2019 induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN
Steven Curtis Chapman grew up in Paducah, Kentucky, where he learned to play guitar at a young age by hanging out in his father’s music store. Following a brief college career as a pre-med student, Steven moved to Nashville to pursue music. The 1987 release of his debut album, First Hand, launched a flood of awards for his self-penned hits, including “His Eyes” (the GMA’s 1989 Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year), “His Strength Is Perfect” (the GMA’s 1990 Inspirational Song of the Year), “The Great Adventure” (the GMA’s 1993 Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year), “Go There With You” (the GMA’s 1994 Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year), “Heaven In The Real World” (the GMA’s 1995 Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year), “Let Us Pray” (the GMA’s 1998 Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year) and “Dive” (the GMA’s 2000 Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year). Other award-winning songs from Steven’s catalogue include “I Can See The Hand Of God” by The Cathedrals (the GMA’s 1990 Southern Gospel Song Of The Year) and “Voice Of Truth” by Casting Crowns (the GMA’s 2005 Inspirational Song of the Year). One of the most-honored artists in the history of Christian music, Steven is a 10-time winner of the GMA’s Songwriter of the Year award (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998 and 2009), as well as NSAI’s 1999 Songwriter/Artist of the Year.

STEVE EARLE
Steve Earle grew up in San Antonio, Texas, where he began playing guitar at age 11. Dropping out of school at age 16, he moved to Houston. Then in 1974, Steve moved to Nashville, where he worked blue-collar jobs by day and played music by night before landing a gig playing bass in Guy Clark’s band. Ever restless, Steve formed his own band, The Dukes, in 1982 — the same year that Johnny Lee took Steve’s self-penned “When You Fall In Love” into the Top 20. Moving on from his previous publishing- and record- deals, Steve released his first full-length album on MCA in 1986. The title track, “Guitar Town,” reached the Top 10 that year, followed by another Top 10, “Goodbye’s All We’ve Got Left,” the next year. In 1987, Steve’s “I Ain’t Ever Satisfied” reached #26 on the Rock chart. In 1988 – the year Patty Loveless reached #2 with Steve’s “A Little Bit In Love” – he hit #10 on the Rock chart with “Copperhead Road,” the title track of his landmark album. Other classic songs from Steve’s pen include “My Old Friend The Blues” (also recorded by T. Graham Brown, Joe Nichols, The Grascals), “Nothing But A Child” (also recorded by Nicolette Larson, Kathy Mattea, Lee Ann Womack), “The Devil’s Right Hand” (also recorded by Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Bob Seger) and Miranda Lambert’s Top 20 hit “Kerosene.”

PHIL VASSAR
Phil Vassar was born in Lynchburg, Virginia. During his college years, he began playing piano and singing in local clubs. Moving to Nashville to pursue music, Phil found the going slow for several years until 1997 when some of his initial songs were recorded by Blackhawk, Skip Ewing, and The Sons of the Desert. Then in 1998, Phil’s songs started gaining traction as singles for a variety of artists. During the next two years, he garnered six chart-topping hits from Collin Raye, Alan Jackson, Jo Dee Messina (including the #1 “Bye, Bye”) and Tim McGraw (including the #1 “My Next Thirty Years”). During that time, he was named NSAI’s 1998 Songwriter of the Year and ASCAP’s 1999 Country Songwriter of the Year. In late 1999, Phil signed a record deal with Arista Nashville. Released the following year, his debut album generated the self-penned hits “Carlene,” “Rose Bouquet,” “Six-Pack Summer,” “That’s When I Love You” and “Just Another Day In Paradise,” Phil’s first #1 as an artist. Propelled by that success, he was named ASCAP’s 2001 Country Songwriter/Artist of the Year. Other hits by Phil as an artist include “American Child,” “In A Real Love” and “Last Day Of My Life.” He was named NSAI’s 2006 Songwriter/Artist of the Year.

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NaSHOF To Reschedule Induction Gala to 2021

August 27 2020

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame will reschedule its 50th Anniversary Gala to fall 2021.

“We had high hopes for another stellar event to celebrate our 50th Anniversary this fall,” says Sarah Cates, chair of the organization’s board of directors. “Unfortunately, the current health climate prevents us, like so many others, from being able to safely pursue our usual physical gathering this year.

“While it hurts not being able to reunite in our traditional format with so many cherished friends and hall of fame family members, we are excited to share that we will soon announce a Class of 2020. We will work to shine a special spotlight on them as this year progresses, and we will also look forward to honoring them alongside the Class of 2021 in a special double-sized event next fall as we celebrate ‘Nashville Songwriting’s Most Legendary Night.’”

Cates added that the new date and more information will be forthcoming as soon as plans are finalized.

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Nominees, Date Announced For 2019 Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame Gala

Twelve exemplary tunesmiths are 2019 nominees for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF) – eight in the Songwriters category and four in the Songwriter/Artists category.

This year’s nominees in the Songwriter category are:
Shawn Camp
Ed Hill
Marcus Hummon
Archie Jordan
Kostas
Ronnie Rogers
Rivers Rutherford
Jerry Salley

The nominees in the Songwriter/Artist category are:
Toby Keith
Brad Paisley
Eddy Raven
Dwight Yoakam

All nominees experienced their first significant (Top 20) songs at least 20 years ago. Two songwriters and one songwriter/artist, elected by their professional songwriter peers, will be inducted at the 49th Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on Monday, October 14, at the Music City Center.

The three will be joined by a veteran songwriter and a veteran songwriter/artist elected by a separate body of veteran voters. Those nominees experienced their first significant (Top 20) songs at least 30 years ago. Nominees are not announced in those categories.
Two songwriters and one songwriter/artist, selected by their professional songwriter peers, will be inducted at the 49th Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on Monday, October 14, at the Music City Center.

The Gala is the primary annual fundraiser for the nonprofit Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, whose mission is to honor Nashville's rich legacy of songwriting excellence through preservation, celebration and education. For information on seating and sponsorships, contact hoftix@nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com.

ABOUT THE NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME 2019 NOMINEES:

Category 1 - SONGWRITERS

SHAWN CAMP
Shawn Camp grew up on a farm outside of Perryville, AR, where his ironworker father and beautician mother both sang and played guitar, infusing their child with a love of music. Shawn picked up a guitar at age five and by age 20 had moved to Nashville, where he found work in the late ’80s as a fiddle player in backing bands for The Osborne Brothers, Jerry Reed, Alan Jackson and Trisha Yearwood. After charting a pair of self-penned singles in 1993 as a recording artist on Warner Bros. Records (“Fallin’ Never Felt So Good” and “Confessin’ My Love”), Shawn turned his attention to writing songs, earning his first #1 song in 1998 with “Two Piña Coladas” by Garth Brooks. That same year, Shawn had another #1 hit with “How Long Gone” by Brooks & Dunn. In 2006, the year Shawn was nominated for Songwriter of the Year by the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music, he had Top 5 singles with “Nobody But Me” by Blake Shelton and “Would You Go With Me” by Josh Turner. Shawn also co-wrote Turner’s “Firecracker,” as well as “River Of Love” by George Strait and “Love Done Gone” by Billy Currington.

ED HILL
Ed Hill was born and raised on a cotton farm in Hanford, California. He played bass guitar and keyboard in bands from junior high through college. Following graduation from Fresno State, Ed moved to Bakersfield in 1971 to pursue country music. After eight years there as a piano player and singer, he became the house piano player at North Hollywood’s legendary Palomino club. While living in Los Angeles, he helped score several movies before going on the road with Mickey Gilley and Johnny Lee as part of the Urban Cowboy Band. Ed moved to Nashville in 1984 to pursue songwriting full time — often writing at night, while painting houses and apartments during the daytime. His big break came in 1989 when Reba McEntire hit with “’Til Love Comes Again.” From there, more hits followed: “Be My Baby Tonight” by John Michael Montgomery, “The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter” by Reba McEntire, “It Matters To Me” by Faith Hill, “Georgia Rain” by Trisha Yearwood, “Find Out Who Your Friends Are” by Tracy Lawrence, “How ’Bout Them Cowgirls” by George Strait, “Just Fishin’” by Trace Adkins and “Drinking Class” by Lee Brice. “Most People Are Good” by Luke Bryan was named 2018 Music Row Magazine Song Of The Year. Ed was BMI’s 2006 Country Songwriter of the Year.

MARCUS HUMMON
Washington, D.C.-born Marcus Hummon has enjoyed a successful career as a songwriter, recording artist, producer, studio musician, playwright and author. A diplomat’s son, Marcus spent his youth in Africa and Italy. After several years playing in various bands, he found his way to Nashville. As a songwriter, Marcus has co-written hits such as “Cowboy Take Me Away” and “Ready To Run” by The Dixie Chicks, “Born To Fly” by Sara Evans, “One Of These Days” by Tim McGraw, “Only Love” by Wynonna, “The Cheap Seats” by Alabama and “Love Is The Right Place” by Bryan White. “Bless The Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts earned Marcus a 2005 Grammy for Best Country Song, as well as NSAI Song of the Year. A 2007 version by Selah w/ Melodie Crittenden, was a Top 5 Christian song and earned NSAI’s 2007 Song of the Year. Marcus has written an opera (Surrender Road, staged by The Nashville Opera Company in 2005) and six musicals, three of which were featured as part of the New York New Musical Festival in 2005, 2006 and 2011 respectively. Marcus has scored two films: Lost Boy Home and The Last Songwriter, a documentary that he co-produced.

ARCHIE JORDAN
Born in Augusta, GA, Archie Jordan moved with his family to Sumter, SC, at the end of 5th grade. By age 12, he had formed his own band, and at age 18 he spent the summer touring with Atlanta-based vocal group The Tams. When college resumed that fall, Archie switched his major to music so that he could study composition and arranging. After college, Archie began work as a producer and songwriter for Bang Records in Atlanta. In 1975 he moved to Nashville to write for Chess Music. Within two years he had co-written his first hit record – “It Was Almost Like A Song” by Ronnie Milsap – which was nominated for a Grammy and would be featured in the 1995 film The Bridges Of Madison County. During his career, Archie wrote more Milsap hits: “What A Difference You’ve Made In My Life,” “Let’s Take The Long Way Around The World,” “It’s All I Can Do,” “Santa Barbara” and “Turn That Radio On.” Other songs from Archie’s pen include “A Man Just Don’t Know What A Woman Goes Through” by Charlie Rich, “Drifter” by Sylvia, “It’s All I Can Do” by Anne Murray and “Happy Birthday Dear Heartache” by Barbara Mandrell.

KOSTAS
Kostas Lazarides was born in Thessaloniki, Greece. When he was seven years old, his family immigrated to Billings, Montana. Fascinated by music, the only child was drawn early to the songs of Buddy Holly and the Everly Brothers. As a youth, Kostas began slipping into local honky-tonks to play with live bands. By the early ’70s, he was performing his original songs on the Northwest club circuit and had built a solid following. After nearly two decades of modest success one of his songs crossed the desk of producer Tony Brown, who was searching for material for Patty Loveless. In 1989, Loveless recorded Kostas’ “Timber, I’m Falling In Love,” making it his first cut, first single and first chart-topping song. Loveless would later take more Kostas songs to the Top 10: “The Lonely Side Of Love,” “On Down The Line” and “Blame It On Your Heart,” which was named the 1994 BMI Country Song of the Year. Other Kostas hits include “Ain’t That Lonely Yet” and “Turn It On, Turn It Up, Turn Me Loose” by Dwight Yoakam, “Going Out Of My Mind” and “Love On The Loose Heart On The Run” by McBride & The Ride, “Lord Have Mercy On The Working Man” by Travis Tritt and “I Can Love You Better” by the Dixie Chicks. He was named 1989 NSAI Songwriter of the Year.

RONNIE ROGERS
Born and raised in Nashville, Randall “Ronnie” Rogers’s parents were active in Gospel music and passed their talents on to their son. After military service in Vietnam, Ronnie began to pursue a career in music. Following a single as an artist on Rice Records in 1972, he began to find success as a songwriter with cuts by Johnny Russell, Dave Dudley and Loretta Lynn. In 1977, Ronnie scored his first Top 10 with “It’s A Cowboy Lovin’ Night” by Tanya Tucker. In 1983, he had the hit singles “My First Taste Of Texas” by Ed Bruce and “Dixieland Delight” by Alabama, which began a long and successful partnership with the band. To date, Ronnie has had more than 40 cuts by Alabama, including “Jukebox In My Mind,” “Pass It On Down,” “Take A Little Trip” and “Give Me One More Shot.” Ronnie is also the co-writer of the Mark Chesnutt singles “Blame It On Texas” and “Goin’ Through The Big D” and “Only In America” by Brooks & Dunn. Ronnie’s songs have also been recorded by Toby Keith, George Strait, Dierks Bentley, Gary Allan, Lee Ann Womack, Ray Charles, Old Crow Medicine Show, Levon Helm and many others.

RIVERS RUTHERFORD
Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Rivers Rutherford began his musical education at the age of seven, when he took up the piano and guitar. At age 15, he was hired to play piano on the Memphis Queen riverboat. From there he played clubs on Beale Street before attending the University of Mississippi on a piano scholarship. A songwriting workshop with producer/writer Chips Moman led to a publishing contract and later to a first cut with The Highwaymen. In 1993, Rivers moved to Nashville. A staff songwriting deal followed three years later and by 1998 a string of hits began: “Shut Up And Drive” by Chely Wright, “If You Ever Stop Loving Me” by Montgomery Gentry, “Ladies Love Country Boys” by Trace Adkins, “Living In Fast Forward” by Kenny Chesney, “Real Good Man” by Tim McGraw, “Stealing Cinderella” by Chuck Wicks, “These Are My People” by Rodney Atkins, “Unconditional” by Clay Davidson and “When I Get Where I’m Going” by Brad Paisley w/ Dolly Parton. His co-written “Ain’t Nothing ’Bout You” by Brooks & Dunn was named the 2002 ASCAP Country Song of the Year. Rivers was named 2006 ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year.

JERRY SALLEY
Jerry Salley is an award-winning songwriter in three genres — country, bluegrass and Gospel. The Chillicothe, Ohio, native moved to Nashville in 1982, and by 1987, his “Hiding Place” had become a hit for newcomer Steven Curtis Chapman. In 1988, bluegrass group The Seldom Scene recorded “Breaking New Ground.” A year later, Jerry hit with Chapman’s “His Strength Is Perfect,” the GMA’s 1990 Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year. Jerry wrote Sir Elton John’s only Billboard country chart single – his duet with Catherine Britt on “Where We Both Say Goodbye.” “All Dressed Up” by Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers was the IBMA’s 2016 Bluegrass Gospel Recorded Song of the Year. Other songs from Jerry’s catalog include the country hits “I Fell In The Water” by John Anderson, “How Do You Sleep At Night” by Wade Hayes and “I’m Gonna Take That Mountain” by Reba McEntire, as well as the Gospel hits “No Limit” by Jeff & Sheri Easter and “John In The Jordan” by Ernie Haase & Signature Sound. To date, Jerry has had more than 500 different songs recorded. He was the 2003 SESAC Country Music Songwriter of the Year and the 2018 IBMA Songwriter of the Year.

Category 2 - SONGWRITER/ARTISTS

TOBY KEITH
Oklahoma native Toby Keith received his first guitar at age eight. After high-school graduation, he worked in the oil fields by day and played with his band at night. In the early ’90s, one of his demo tapes found its way to producer Harold Shedd, who signed him to a deal with Mercury Records. In 1993 Toby’s solo-written debut single, “Should’ve Been A Cowboy,” reached #1 on the Country chart and would go on to become the most played Country song of the 1990s. As an artist, he has placed 45 self-penned Top 20 songs on the Billboard charts, including 16 #1s and 17 more in the Top 10. Among those compositions are “You Ain’t Much Fun,” “How Do You Like Me Now?!,” “You Shouldn’t Kiss Me Like This,” “Beer For My Horses,” “I Love This Bar,” “American Soldier,” “A Little Too Late” and “God Love Her.” “As Good As I Once Was” was BMI’s 2006 Country Song of the Year. Among his many awards, he was named BMI’s 2001 Songwriter of the Year, 2004 Writer/Artist of the Year and 2006 Songwriter of the Year. He was NSAI’s 2003, 2004, 2006 Songwriter/Artist of the Year, as well as that organization’s Songwriter/Artist of the Decade (2000-2009). In 2015, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York.

BRAD PAISLEY
Brad Paisley was born and raised in Glen Dale, West Virginia. He received his first guitar from his grandfather, who taught him to play at eight years old. At age 13, Brad wrote his first song, which he performed publicly and which eventually led him to an eight-year stint performing on Wheeling’s Jamboree USA. After high-school graduation and two years at West Liberty State College, Brad was awarded a fully paid ASCAP scholarship to Belmont University in Nashville where he majored in music business. A week after graduating from Belmont, Brad signed as a writer with EMI Music Publishing. Following cuts by David Kersh, David Ball and Tracy Byrd, Brad signed with Arista Nashville and soon began to record his own songs. As an artist, he has placed 33 self-penned Top 20 songs on the Billboard charts, including 15 #1s and 14 more in the Top 10. Among those compositions are “He Didn’t Have To Be,” “Alcohol,” “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song),” “Celebrity,” “Ticks,” “Letter To Me,” “Then,” “This Is Country Music,” “Water,” and his duet with Carrie Underwood “Remind Me.” Brad was ASCAP’s 2004 Country Songwriter/Artist of the Year. He was NSAI’s Songwriter/Artist of the Year in 2002 and 2005.

EDDY RAVEN
Eddy Raven was born in Lafayette, Louisiana, and raised in bayou country as one of 11 children. He received a guitar from his truck driver/blues guitarist father and by age 13 was playing in a band. In 1969 Eddy recorded an album, That Crazy Cajun Sound, which impressed fellow Louisianan and Grand Ole Opry member Jimmy C. Newman, who then helped Eddy secure a songwriting contract with Acuff-Rose Music Publishing in Nashville. During that time, Eddy also worked as lead singer for Jimmie Davis’ band and toured with him during his election campaign for governor of Louisiana. In 1971, Eddy began having hits with other artists, including Top 10 singles by Don Gibson (“Country Green”) and Randy Cornor (“Sometimes I Talk In My Sleep”). By 1974, Eddy had moved to Nashville and was recording his own songs with Elektra Records (and later RCA Records): “I Should’ve Called,” “Who Do You Know In California,” “I Got Mexico,” “Sometimes A Lady,” “You Should Have Been Gone By Now,” “Bayou Boys,” and “Island.” In 1983 The Oak Ridge Boys recorded “Thank God For Kids,” one of the most-recorded songs in Eddy’s catalogue.

DWIGHT YOAKAM
Dwight Yoakam was born in the coal mining community of Pikeville, Kentucky, and raised in Columbus, Ohio. During high school, he took part in the music and drama programs; also singing and playing guitar in a variety of local bands. After graduation, he briefly attended Ohio State University before dropping out to move to Nashville in the late 1970s. When Dwight’s brand of modern honky tonk failed to mesh with the pop-oriented “Urban Cowboy” climate of the time in Music City, he moved to Los Angeles. There he met a kindred spirit in guitarist Pete Anderson. Their edgy band found success in the city’s rock and punk clubs. By the mid-1980s, Dwight had signed with Reprise Records. When his debut album, produced by Anderson, was released in 1986, it launched him to stardom. Throughout his career Dwight has written most of the songs on most of his albums. His credits as a songwriter/artist include “Guitars, Cadillacs,” “Little Ways,” “Please, Please Baby,” “I Sang Dixie,” “I Got You,” “It Only Hurts Me When I Cry,” “Try Not To Look So Pretty,” “A Thousand Miles From Nowhere,” “Fast As You” and “You’re The One,” also recorded by Flatt Lonesome and named the 2016 IBMA Song of the Year.

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2018 Nominees for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Announced

July 19 2018

Eight songwriters and four songwriter/artists have been nominated for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Inductees will be announced in August, prior to the fall induction ceremony.

This year’s nominees in the songwriter category are:
Skip Ewing
Byron Hill
Ed Hill
Wayne Kirkpatrick
Kerry Kurt Phillips
Bob Regan
Jim Rushing
Steve Seskin

The nominees in the songwriter/artist category are:
Ronnie Dunn
Toby Keith
Brad Paisley
Eddy Raven

Congratulations to all!

ABOUT THE NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME 2018 NOMINEES:

Category 1 - SONGWRITERS

SKIP EWING
Skip Ewing was born in Redlands, California. Growing up in a military family, he relocated often as a child. He began playing guitar at a young age and by his teens had started writing songs. He got a job performing in a country show at Busch Gardens theme park in Virginia, and from there moved to Nashville at age 19 for a similar job at Opryland theme park. He soon found work singing demos and eventually landed a job as a staff songwriter with Acuff-Rose Music. In 1987, he signed a deal with MCA, where he recorded his breakthrough album, The Coast of Colorado. As more albums and singles followed, so did hits from other artists. Among Skip’s best-known songs are “If I Didn’t Have You” by Randy Travis, “Love Me” by Collin Raye, “Wish You Were Here” by Mark Willis and “I Believe” by Diamond Rio. Kenny Chesney hit with “Me And You” and “You Had Me From Hello.” Bryan White scored with “Someone Else’s Star,” “Rebecca Lynn” and “I’m Not Supposed To Love You Anymore.” “Something That We Do” by Clint Black was the 1997 NSAI Song of the Year. Skip was BMI’s 2000 Country Songwriter of the Year.

BYRON HILL
Winston-Salem, N.C., native Byron Hill moved to Nashville in 1978 and soon signed with ATV Music Group, where he enjoyed his first cuts with “Pickin’ Up Strangers” by Johnny Lee and George Strait’s first #1 “Fool Hearted Memory” in 1982. Byron left ATV in 1984, but his songwriting resume continued to expand with “Nights” by Ed Bruce, “Born Country” by Alabama, “Alright Already” by Larry Stewart, “Lifestyles Of The Not So Rich And Famous” by Tracy Byrd, “High-Tech Redneck” by George Jones, “If I Was A Drinkin’ Man” by Neal McCoy, “Nothing On But The Radio” by Gary Allan and “Size Matters (Someday)” by Joe Nichols. Other artists who have recorded Byron’s songs include Jason Aldean, Randy Travis, Keith Whitley, Rhonda Vincent, Don Williams, Trace Adkins, Toby Keith, Porter Wagoner, Brooks & Dunn, The Oak Ridge Boys, Ricky Skaggs and Reba McEntire. To date, Byron’s songs that have generated more than 700 recordings, earned 91 RIAA certified Gold and Platinum awards, 10 ASCAP awards, 34 U.S. and Canadian Top-10 chart hits, and numerous hits in other worldwide markets.

ED HILL
Ed Hill was born and raised on a cotton farm in Hanford, California. He played bass guitar and keyboard in bands from junior high through college. Following graduation from Fresno State, Ed moved to Bakersfield in 1971 to pursue country music. After eight years there as a piano player and singer, he became the house piano player at North Hollywood’s legendary Palomino club. While living in Los Angeles, he helped score several movies before going on the road with Mickey Gilley and Johnny Lee as part of the Urban Cowboy Band. Ed moved to Nashville in 1984 to pursue songwriting full time — often writing at night, while painting houses and apartments during the daytime. His big break came in 1989 when Reba McEntire hit with “’Til Love Comes Again.” From there, more hits followed: “Be My Baby Tonight” by John Michael Montgomery, “The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter” by Reba McEntire, “It Matters To Me” by Faith Hill, “Georgia Rain” by Trisha Yearwood, “Find Out Who Your Friends Are” by Tracy Lawrence, “How ’Bout Them Cowgirls” by George Strait, “Just Fishin’” by Trace Adkins and “Drinking Class” by Lee Brice. “Most People Are Good” by Luke Bryan was named 2018 Music Row Magazine Song Of The Year. Ed was BMI’s 2006 Country Songwriter of the Year.

WAYNE KIRKPATRICK
At age 14, Wayne Kirkpatrick moved with his family to Baton Rouge, La. After a guitar lesson at a Florida Bible camp, Wayne began spending hours after school writing songs and playing younger brother Karey’s acoustic guitar. Both brothers eventually moved to Nashville, where Karey helped Wayne secure some of his first cuts. Since then, Wayne has had nearly two dozen chart-topping Contemporary Christian and Pop singles, including “Every Heartbeat,” “Good For Me” and “Takes A Little Time” by Amy Grant and “Place In This World” by Michael W. Smith (the 1992 Dove Song of the Year). In 1996, Wayne’s co-written “Change The World” by Eric Clapton was featured in the film Phenomenon and earned the 1996 Grammy for Song of the Year. In 1999 Wayne sang, played and co-wrote eight songs on Garth Brooks’ In The Life Of Chris Gaines project, including “Lost In You” and “It Don’t Matter To The Sun.” In 2002 he began a longtime collaboration with Little Big Town that yielded hits such as “Boondocks,” “Bring It On Home” and “Little White Church.” In 2010, Wayne and Karey began working on the musical Something Rotten!, which opened on Broadway in 2015 and earned 10 Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. The show launched a U.S. tour in 2017.

KERRY KURT PHILLIPS
Kerry Kurt Phillips grew up in Henderson, Kentucky, and Vincennes, Indiana. Two weeks after moving to Nashville in 1988, he signed as a staff writer with Larry Gatlin’s Texas Wedge Music. His first cut came two and a half years later when George Jones recorded “Where The Tall Grass Grows.” In addition to writing songs, Kerry Kurt served as tour manager and acoustic guitar player for Sony/Epic artist Joe Diffie, who found success with several Kerry Kurt songs, including the singles “Prop Me Up Beside The Jukebox If I Die” and “Pickup Man.” Tim McGraw was also a fan, releasing the Kerry Kurt-penned singles “Down On The Farm,” “Maybe We Should Just Sleep On It” and “Do You Want Fries With That.” Other Kerry Kurt hits include “I Don’t Need Your Rockin’ Chair” by George Jones & Friends (the 1993 CMA Vocal Event of the Year), “She Let Herself Go” by George Strait, “Almost Home” by Craig Morgan and “Drinkin’ Bone” by Tracy Byrd. Kerry Kurt’s songs have been featured in the opening ceremony of the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, as well as in national ad campaigns for Ford Trucks, General Motors, Pepsi Corporation, Applebee’s, the PGA and the NFL.

BOB REGAN
California native Bob Regan was born in Sacramento and raised in South Lake Tahoe. After earning a psychology degree from the University of California at Davis, he spent time as a recording artist and session guitar player in Los Angeles, where he was signed to Curb Records. Since moving to Nashville in 1985, Bob has had more than 200 songs recorded. His hit singles as a songwriter include “’Til Love Comes Again” by Reba McEntire, “Soon” by Tanya Tucker, “Thinkin’ About You” by Trisha Yearwood, “Running Out Of Reasons To Run” by Rick Trevino, “Busy Man” by Billy Ray Cyrus, “Everytime I Cry” by Terri Clark, “Your Everything” by Keith Urban and “Something About A Woman” by Jake Owen. Bob’s song “Dig Two Graves” by Randy Travis was a Grammy nominee in 2009. “Pray About Everything” by Guy Penrod was a Dove nominee in 2012. Also in 2012 Bob founded Operation Song, a music therapy program that partners professional songwriters with military veterans with to help them tell their stories through songwriting.

JIM RUSHING
Jim Rushing was raised in Lubbock, Texas. He studied classical piano for 13 years, then at age 17 left high school to join the U.S. Army Airborne and First Special Forces, Okinawa. After a tour in Vietnam, he returned to the U.S. to complete his master’s degree as mounting opposition to the Vietnam War was dividing college campuses across America. Amidst the turmoil, Jim began writing songs in earnest and by 1971 moved to Nashville to pursue songwriting full time. During his three decades in Music City, Jim wrote or co-wrote songs recorded by a veritable Who’s Who of country, bluegrass, gospel and pop, including “Hope You’re Feelin’ Me (Like I’m Feelin’ You)” by Charley Pride, “Nothing Sure Looked Good On You” by Gene Watson, “Pittsburgh Stealers” by The Kendalls, “Cajun Moon” and “Thanks Again” by Ricky Skaggs, “Little Mountain Church House” by Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (1990 IBMA Song of the Year), “Lonesome Standard Time” by Kathy Mattea and by Larry Cordle (1993 IBMA Song of the Year), “Cheap Whiskey” (Martina McBride), “American Honky-Tonk Bar Association” by Garth Brooks and “Salt Of The Earth” by Ricky Skaggs & The Whites.

STEVE SESKIN
New York-born Steve Seskin began his songwriting career when he moved to San Francisco in 1972. Upon the advice of Crystal Gayle, Steve visited Nashville in 1985 and began co-writing. He first hit the Country chart in 1990 with “Wrong” by Waylon Jennings. He has enjoyed particular success with both John Michael Montgomery (“Life’s A Dance,” “If You’ve Got Love,” “No Man’s Land”) and Neal McCoy (“No Doubt About It” and “For A Change”). His “Don’t Laugh At Me” by Mark Wills was named the 1998 NSAI Song of the Year. The version by Peter, Paul and Mary became the impetus for the Operation Respect/Don’t Laugh at Me project, a curriculum designed to teach tolerance in schools. Other Steve Seskin hits include “Daddy’s Money” by Ricochet, the Grammy-nominated “Grown Men Don’t Cry” by Tim McGraw and “I Think About You” by Collin Raye. That song’s video was named the ACM 1997 Video of the Year, while the song and video were awarded by the Tennessee Task Force Against Domestic Violence. A successful performer and recording artist on his own, Steve has recorded numerous CDs for his own label. He divides his time among Nashville, Northern California and touring.

Category 2 - SONGWRITER/ARTISTS

RONNIE DUNN
Ronnie Dunn was born in Texas, but Tulsa, Okla., became his hometown. He began playing guitar and performing in Country bands when he was in his teens. After winning the Marlboro Talent Search, Arista Records expressed interest in him. The label teamed him with singer-songwriter Kix Brooks, and the two recorded as Brooks & Dunn from 1991-2011. The mega-duo sold millions of records and was named CMA Vocal Duo 14 times. The Brooks & Dunn hits “Neon Moon,” “Hard Workin’ Man,” “She Used To Be Mine,” “She’s Not The Cheatin’ Kind” and “Little Miss Honky Tonk” were all written solo by Ronnie, as was “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” which was named ACM Song of the Year in 1992. Ronnie was BMI’s Country Songwriter of the Year in 1996 and 1998. Co-written Brooks & Dunn hits include songs such as “Brand New Man,” “My Next Broken Heart” and “Believe,” which was the ACM Song of the Year in 2005 and the CMA Song and Single of the Year in 2006. In 2011, Ronnie resumed his solo career as a singer-songwriter with “Cost Of Livin’.” Ronnie was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in 2003.

TOBY KEITH
Oklahoma native Toby Keith received his first guitar at age eight. After high-school graduation, he worked in the oil fields by day and played with his band at night. In the early ’90s, one of his demo tapes found its way to producer Harold Shedd, who signed him to a deal with Mercury Records. In 1993 Toby’s solo-written debut single, “Should’ve Been A Cowboy,” reached #1 on the Country chart and would go on to become the most played Country song of the 1990s. To date, he has placed some 50 compositions on the Country charts as an artist, including “You Ain’t Much Fun,” “How Do You Like Me Now?!,” “You Shouldn’t Kiss Me Like This,” “Beer For My Horses,” “I Love This Bar,” “American Soldier,” “A Little Too Late” and “God Love Her.” “As Good As I Once Was” was BMI’s 2006 Country Song of the Year. Among his many awards, he was named BMI’s 2001 Songwriter of the Year, 2004 Writer/Artist of the Year and 2006 Songwriter of the Year. He was NSAI’s 2003, 2004, 2006 Songwriter/Artist of the Year, as well as that organization’s Songwriter/Artist of the Decade (2000-2009). In 2015 he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York.

BRAD PAISLEY
Brad Paisley was born and raised in Glen Dale, West Virginia. He received his first guitar from his grandfather, who taught him to play at eight years old. At age 13, Brad wrote his first song, which he performed publicly and which eventually led him to an eight-year stint performing on Wheeling’s Jamboree USA. After high-school graduation and two years at West Liberty State College, Brad was awarded a fully paid ASCAP scholarship to Belmont University in Nashville where he majored in music business. A week after graduating from Belmont, Brad signed as a writer with EMI Music Publishing. Following cuts by David Kersh, David Ball and Tracy Byrd, Brad signed with Arista Nashville and soon began to record his own songs. Among his hits as an artist are “He Didn’t Have To Be,” “Alcohol,” “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song),” “Celebrity,” “Ticks,” “Letter To Me,” “Then,” “This Is Country Music,” “Water,” and his duet with Carrie Underwood “Remind Me.” Brad was ASCAP’s 2004 Country Songwriter/Artist of the Year. He was NSAI’s Songwriter/Artist of the Year in 2002 and 2005.

EDDY RAVEN
Eddy Raven was born in Lafayette, Louisiana, and raised in bayou country as one of 11 children. He received a guitar from his truck driver/blues guitarist father and by age 13 was playing in a band. In 1969 Eddy recorded an album, That Crazy Cajun Sound, which impressed fellow Louisianan and Grand Ole Opry member Jimmy C. Newman, who then helped Eddy secure a songwriting contract with Acuff-Rose Music Publishing in Nashville. During that time, Eddy also worked as lead singer for Jimmie Davis’ band and toured with him during his election campaign for governor of Louisiana. In 1971, Eddy began having hits with other artists, including Top 10 singles by Don Gibson (“Country Green”) and Randy Cornor (“Sometimes I Talk In My Sleep”). By 1974, Eddy had moved to Nashville and was recording his own songs with Elektra Records (and later RCA Records): “I Should’ve Called,” “Who Do You Know In California,” “I Got Mexico,” “Sometimes A Lady,” “You Should Have Been Gone By Now,” “Bayou Boys,” and “Island.” In 1983 The Oak Ridge Boys recorded “Thank God For Kids,” one of the most-recorded songs in Eddy’s catalogue.

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2017 Nominees for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Announced

July 11 2017

Eight songwriters and four songwriter/artists have been nominated for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Inductees will be announced in August, prior to the fall induction ceremony.

This year’s nominees in the songwriter category are:
Walt Aldridge
Al Anderson
Wayne Kirkpatrick
Kostas
Tony Martin
Paul Nelson
Tim Nichols
Rivers Rutherford

The nominees in the songwriter/artist category are:
Bobbie Gentry
Vern Gosdin (1934-2009)
Johnny Horton (1925-1960)
K.T. Oslin

Congratulations to all!

ABOUT THE NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME 2017 NOMINEES:

Category 1 - SONGWRITERS

WALT ALDRIDGE
Walt Aldridge was born in Florence, Alabama. He spent 17 years as staff engineer at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals and 15 years as an independent engineer in Nashville, working on some 200 records in that length of time. In the late 1980s, he sang lead vocals in the band The Shooters, a country band which charted seven singles for Epic Records. Among his best-known songs are “I Am A Simple Man” by Ricky Van Shelton, “I Loved Her First” by Heartland, “Modern Day Bonnie And Clyde” by Travis Tritt, “She Sure Got Away With My Heart” by John Anderson, “She’s Got A Single Thing In Mind” by Conway Twitty, “Some Things Never Change” by Tim McGraw, “The Fear Of Being Alone” by Reba McEntire and “‘Till You’re Gone” by Barbara Mandrell. “(There’s) No Gettin’ Over Me” by Ronnie Milsap was the 1982 ASCAP Country Song of the Year. “Holding Her And Loving You” by Earl Thomas Conley was the 1983 NSAI Song of the Year. An alumnus of the University of North Alabama (UNA), he teaches in his alma mater’s Entertainment Industry Program. He has also been awarded a bronze star on the Alabama Music Hall of Fame Walk of Fame.

AL ANDERSON
Al Anderson was born in Windsor, Connecticut. Raised by his piano teacher mother and a radio that would get WWVA in Wheeling West Virginia late at night, he would devour all genres of music. He was a member of The Wildweeds in the late 1960s. Between 1971 and the early 1990s, he was the lead guitarist in the rock band NRBQ, also releasing several solo albums. He was recognized as one of the top 100 guitar players of the 20th Century by Musician magazine. In the 1990s, Anderson shifted his focus to country music. Among his best-known songs are “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down” by The Mavericks w/ Flaco Jiménez, “Big Deal” by LeAnn Rimes, “Every Little Thing” by Carlene Carter, “Love’s Gonna Make It Alright” by George Strait, “Next Big Thing” by Vince Gill, “Powerful Thing” by Trisha Yearwood, “Should’ve Asked Her Faster” by Ty England, “The Cowboy In Me” by Tim McGraw, “Trip Around The Sun” by Jimmy Buffett & Martina McBride and “Unbelievable” by Diamond Rio. He was named 2000 BMI Country Songwriter of the Year.

WAYNE KIRKPATRICK
At age 14, Wayne Kirkpatrick moved with his family to Baton Rouge, La. After a guitar lesson at a Florida Bible camp, Wayne began spending hours after school writing songs and playing younger brother Karey’s acoustic guitar. Both brothers eventually moved to Nashville, where Karey helped Wayne secure some of his first cuts. Since then, Wayne has had nearly two dozen chart-topping Contemporary Christian and Pop singles, including “Every Heartbeat,” “Good For Me” and “Takes A Little Time” by Amy Grant and “Place In This World” by Michael W. Smith (the 1992 Dove Song of the Year). In 1996, Wayne’s co-written “Change The World” by Eric Clapton was featured in the film Phenomenon and earned the 1996 Grammy for Best Song. In 1999 Wayne sang, played and co-wrote eight songs on Garth Brooks’ In The Life Of Chris Gaines project, including “Lost In You” and “It Don’t Matter To The Sun.” In 2002 he began a longtime collaboration with Little Big Town that yielded hits such as “Boondocks,” “Bring It On Home” and “Little White Church.” In 2010, Wayne and Karey began working on the musical Something Rotten!, which opened on Broadway in 2015. Earning 10 Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical and Best Original Score, the show launched a U.S. tour in 2017.

KOSTAS
Kostas Lazarides was born in Thessaloniki, Greece. When he was seven years old, his family immigrated to Billings, Montana. Fascinated by music, the only child was drawn early to the songs of Buddy Holly and the Everly Brothers. As a youth, Kostas began slipping into local honky-tonks to play with live bands. By the early ’70s, he was performing his original songs on the Northwest club circuit and had built a solid following. After nearly two decades of modest success one of his songs crossed the desk of producer Tony Brown, who was searching for material for Patty Loveless. In 1989, Loveless recorded Kostas’ “Timber, I’m Falling In Love,” making it his first cut, first single and first chart-topping song. Loveless would later take more Kostas songs to the Top 10: “The Lonely Side Of Love,” “On Down The Line” and “Blame It On Your Heart,” which was named the 1994 BMI Country Song of the Year. Other Kostas hits include “Ain’t That Lonely Yet” and “Turn It On, Turn It Up, Turn Me Loose” by Dwight Yoakam, “Going Out Of My Mind” and “Love On The Loose Heart On The Run” by McBride & The Ride, “Lord Have Mercy On The Working Man” by Travis Tritt and “I Can Love You Better” by the Dixie Chicks. He was named 1989 NSAI Songwriter of the Year.

TONY MARTIN
Born in Georgia and raised in Nashville, Tony Martin has been around Country songwriting his entire life. The son of classic Country composer Glenn Martin, Tony grew up at the feet of other stellar songwriters such as Sonny Throckmorton, Mickey Newbury and Hank Cochran. During his time as a journalist for a Chicago newspaper, Tony was writing parody songs for fun when his father urged him to take his talent more seriously. On his 10th attempt, Tony wrote “Baby’s Gotten Good At Goodbye,” which his father successfully pitched to George Strait. The song proved to be the dream scenario for a songwriter. It was Tony’s first demo, first cut, first single, first hit and first #1. Since that time, Tony has added 15 more chart-topping hits to his resume. Among those are “Living And Living Well” (George Strait), “Banjo” (Rascal Flatts), “I’ll Think Of A Reason Later” (Lee Ann Womack), “Just To See You Smile” (Tim McGraw), “My Give A Damn’s Busted” (Jo Dee Messina), “No Place That Far” (Sara Evans), “Settle For A Slow Down” (Dierks Bentley), “Third Rock From The Sun” (Joe Diffie) and “You Look Good In My Shirt” (Keith Urban).

PAUL NELSON
Paul Nelson grew up on the Outer Banks of N.C. in a musical home. His father was a member of a local bluegrass/gospel band who played locally and recorded several albums. Following college, Paul taught school for five years in Florida before moving to Los Angeles with his brother, Gene, to pursue a songwriting career. In 1982, after six years of no success, the brothers moved to Nashville. They hit the jackpot six years later when Kathy Mattea topped the charts with their “Eighteen Wheels And A Dozen Roses,” which was named the 1988 ACM Song and Single of the Year. From that point, other singles followed for Paul, such as “Ships That Don’t Come In” by Joe Diffie, “Billy The Kid” by Billy Dean, “Somebody Else’s Moon” by Collin Raye and “Everything’s Changed” by Lonestar. Throughout his career, Paul has been a particular provider of songs to Tracy Lawrence, including chart-toppers such as “As Any Fool Can See,” “I See It Now,” “If The Good Die Young,” “If The World Had A Front Porch” and “My Second Home.” Paul has earned three Triple Play awards from the CMA for having three #1 songs in a single year.

TIM NICHOLS
Tim Nichols was born in Portsmouth, Va., and raised in Springfield, Mo. After college, Tim and his band moved to Nashville. By 1984 he was signed to Ronnie Milsap’s publishing company. Tim’s first hit was 1990’s “I’m Over You” by Keith Whitley, which reached #3 on the Country chart shortly after his death in 1989. After a stint on BNA Records in the duo Turner-Nichols, Tim’s songwriting took off with hits such as “Brotherly Love” by Keith Whitley & Earl Thomas Conley, “Heads Carolina, Tails California” by Jo Dee Messina, “(This Ain’t) No Thinkin’ Thing” by Trace Adkins, “I’ll Think Of A Reason Later” by Lee Ann Womack and “That’d Be Alright” by Alan Jackson. In 2004, his “Live Like You Were Dying” by Tim McGraw swept the awards with the 2004 Grammy for Best Country Song, the 2004 CMA Song and Single of the Year, the 2005 ACM Song and Single of the Year, the 2005 ASCAP Country Song of the Year and the 2005 BMI Country Song of the Year. Recent hits from Tim include “A Baby Changes Everything” by Faith Hill, “The Man I Want To Be” by Chris Young and “I Got The Boy” by Jana Kramer.

RIVERS RUTHERFORD
Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Rivers Rutherford began his musical education at the age of seven, when he took up the piano and guitar. At age 15, he was hired to play piano on the Memphis Queen riverboat. From there he played clubs on Beale Street before attending the University of Mississippi on a piano scholarship. A songwriting workshop with producer/writer Chips Moman led to a publishing contract and later to a first cut with The Highwaymen. In 1993, Rivers moved to Nashville, where he worked for a commercial production company. A staff deal followed three years later and a string of hits began: “Homewrecker” by Gretchen Wilson, “If You Ever Stop Loving Me” by Montgomery Gentry, “Ladies Love Country Boys” by Trace Adkins, “Living In Fast Forward” by Kenny Chesney, “Real Good Man” by Tim McGraw, “Stealing Cinderella” by Chuck Wicks, “These Are My People” by Rodney Atkins, “Unconditional” by Clay Davidson and “When I Get Where I’m Going” by Brad Paisley w/ Dolly Parton. His co-written “Ain’t Nothing ’Bout You” by Brooks & Dunn was named the 2002 ASCAP Country Song of the Year. Rivers was named 2006 ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year.

Category 2 - SONGWRITER/ARTISTS

BOBBIE GENTRY
Born Roberta Lee Streeter near Woodland, Mississippi, Bobbie Gentry was raised on her grandparents’ farm following the divorce of her parents. At age seven, she composed her first song and began teaching herself to play a variety of instruments. At 13 she moved to California to live with her mother. Following high school, Bobbie entered UCLA as a philosophy major. During that time she began performing occasionally at nightclubs before signing with Capitol Records several years later. In 1967 Bobbie released her first single, “Mississippi Delta,” however, it was the flipside, “Ode To Billie Joe,” that became a worldwide smash. (That single was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.) After the release of her follow-up “Okolona River Bottom Band,” Bobbie scored another hit single with her self-penned “Fancy” (which would also become a hit years later for Reba McEntire). Bobbie wrote and performed other hits into the mid-1970s, including “Mornin’ Glory” (a duet with Glen Campbell) and “But I Can’t Get Back.” She later produced, choreographed, and wrote/arranged the music for her own nightclub revue in Las Vegas before retiring from show business in the early 1980s.

VERN GOSDIN (1934-2009)
Alabama native Vern Gosdin grew up singing in church with his brother, Rex. In 1961, the brothers moved to Los Angeles, where they performed in a bluegrass group before forming their own duo, The Gosdin Brothers. In the early ’70s, Vern moved to Atlanta, where he ran a retail store. Then in 1977, old friend Emmylou Harris helped him sign a record deal with Elektra Records in Nashville. In 1982 he scored a Top 10 hit with his self-penned “Today My World Slipped Away” (also a Top 5 hit for George Strait 15 years later), followed by “If You’re Gonna Do Me Wrong (Do It Right)” in 1983. Vern moved to Columbia Records in the late ’80s, this time charting a series of Top 10 singles with songs he co-wrote, including “Do You Believe Me Now,” “Who You Gonna Blame It On This Time” and “That Just About Does It.” Two more of his original songs — “Set ’Em Up Joe” and “I’m Still Crazy” reached #1. His co-written “Chiseled In Stone” was named the 1989 CMA Song of the Year. His last Top 10 singles were released in 1990 — “Right In The Wrong Direction” and “Is It Raining At Your House.” Vern died in Nashville on April 28, 2009 at age 74.

JOHNNY HORTON (1925-1960)
Johnny Horton was born to sharecropping parents who continually moved between California and Texas looking for work. His mother taught him to play guitar at age 11. After high-school, Johnny travelled the country, eventually moving to Alaska, where he began writing songs in earnest. In 1951 he relocated to Shreveport, Louisiana, where he became a regular on the Louisiana Hayride. In 1955, after a stint on Mercury Records, Johnny signed with Columbia Records, promptly recording his self-penned classic “Honky Tonk Man” (which would later become a hit for both Bob Luman and Dwight Yoakam, respectively). Over the next few years Johnny scored hits with “I’m A One Woman Man” (also a hit for George Jones in 1989), “I’m Comin’ Home” and “When It’s Springtime in Alaska (It’s Forty Below).” With historical ballads becoming more popular by the late ’50s, Johnny released others, including the co-written “Sink The Bismark” and “North To Alaska” (the title track to the 1960 John Wayne film). On November 4, 1960, Johnny died following a car crash on his way home after a concert in Austin, Texas. Nearly a decade after his death, Claude King had a Top 10 hit with Johnny’s “All For The Love Of A Girl.” Johnny is an inductee into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.

K.T. OSLIN
Kay Toinette Oslin was born in Crossett, Arkansas. After her father’s death, K.T. moved with her mother to Houston, where she attended Lon Morris College as a drama major. In the 1970s, K.T. moved to New York City, where she appeared in productions of West Side Story, Promises, Promises and Hello Dolly!. She also sang commercial jingles around New York and began writing songs. By 1981, she was signed to Elektra Records and released two singles that met with modest success. She also had songs recorded by Gail Davies, The Judds, and Dottie West. By 1987, K.T. had moved to Nashville and signed with RCA Nashville. She scored big with her self-penned “80s Ladies,” which was named 1988 CMA Song of the Year, making her the first female writer to win the award. That album also launched the singles “Do Ya” and “I’ll Always Come Back.” Her second album generated five singles, including “Money,” “Hey Bobby,” “This Woman,” “Didn’t Expect It To Go Down This Way” and “Hold Me,” which earned the 1988 Grammy for Best Country Song. K.T.’s third album generated the hits “Come Next Monday” and “Mary And Willie.” She was named 1988, 1989 and 1991 SESAC Songwriter of the Year. K.T. is a 2014 inductee into the Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame.

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NaSHOF TV Show To Debut Jan. 28 on WNPT2

January 16 2017

A weekly television show spotlighting Hall of Fame songwriters will debut in January on Nashville Public Television. “The Songwriters” will premiere Jan. 28 on WNPT2. Produced by the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF) in conjunction with Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), the show features engaging conversations with Hall of Fame members about their creative processes and the inspirations for some of their greatest songs.

"Just as these conversations have inspired professional songwriters like me, they will have a tremendous impact on anyone interested in how great songs were written and the people who wrote them,” said Pat Alger, Chair of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation. “The show is as entertaining as it is informative - the intimate performances and the witty dialogue will stick with you for a long time."

The inaugural season of 18 episodes will reveal behind-the-scenes stories and anecdotes, as well as showcase rare performances of some of the most-revered songs in the history of the Nashville music scene. Some of the Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame members who will be showcased throughout the season include Bill Anderson, Steve Cropper, Gary Burr, Sonny Curtis, Tom Douglas and Ray Stevens, plus many more. Ken Paulson, NaSHOF Board member and Dean of MTSU’s College of Media and Entertainment, will host the show.

"We're very pleased to share these rich conversations with some of the world's greatest songwriters," said Paulson. "Their insights about their art and inspiration make for truly compelling television."

“The Songwriters” will air three times weekly – Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. (statewide), and Sundays at 9:30 a.m. (Nashville only) and 4:30 p.m. (statewide), all Central Time. The show will be available on Comcast Digital Cable channel 241, Charter Digital Cable channel 176, and over-the-air on channel 8.2.

The show is directed by MTSU professor Robert Gordon, Jr. and filmed by students from the school’s College of Media and Entertainment.

About the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame

Induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF) is one of the nation’s most highly prized songwriting honors. Since 1970, nearly 200 of Music City’s top tunesmiths from all genres of music have been enshrined by the non-profit organization, which honors Nashville’s rich legacy of songwriting excellence through preservation, celebration and education. In 2013, NaSHOF realized a long-held dream with the opening of its Hall of Fame Gallery, located in downtown Nashville on the first floor of the Music City Center (201 5th Avenue South).

About MTSU

Founded in 1911 as one of three state normal schools for teacher training, Middle Tennessee State University is one of the oldest and largest undergraduate universities in the state of Tennessee. With a fall enrollment averaging more than 22,000 students for the past five years, MTSU remains committed to providing individualized service in an exciting and nurturing atmosphere where student success is the top priority. MTSU features eight undergraduate colleges and the College of Graduate Studies, and more than 150 programs and departments, including the internationally recognized Department of Recording Industry in the College of Media and Entertainment. Recording industry undergrad majors can focus on audio production, commercial songwriting or music business. A Master of Fine Arts degree in recording arts and technologies prepares MTSU graduate students for advanced work in audio production, recording and integrated electronic media. For more information about MTSU, call 615-898-2300, visit mtsu.edu or mtsunews.com. Follow MTSU on Twitter @MTSUNews and like us on Facebook.

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DONATE to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame

December 13 2016

Help the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame continue its mission to honor and preserve songwriting excellence with a donation of any amount. Your financial support is fully tax deductible and much appreciated! TO DONATE, CLICK HERE.

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The Late Bill Lowery To Be Honored Oct. 9 At The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala

September 13 2016

Nashville, TN -- The late music publisher Bill Lowery will be honored with the Frances Williams Preston Mentor Award during the upcoming Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on Oct. 9, it was announced today by Pat Alger, Chair of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation.

“When I was starting out in the music business in Atlanta in the 1960s there was one man who loomed large over everyone that seemed to matter back then. His name was Bill Lowery,” Alger said. “From broadcasting to record production and then onto music publishing he was a powerful pioneer whose influence and expertise stretched all the way from Atlanta to Nashville. He published legendary songwriters such as Joe South along with Mac Davis, Bill Anderson, Ray Stevens, and Jerry Reed – all members of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

“In addition, he worked with artists of every genre, including many Nashville singers such as Brenda Lee,” Alger continued. “An important member of the Recording Academy, he helped establish the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, which has many Nashville Songwriter members. We are very proud to celebrate Bill Lowery’s important and lasting contribution to our songwriting community this year as the 2016 recipient of the Frances Williams Preston Mentor Award.”

Lowery receives the award named for Frances Williams Preston, who influenced and nurtured the careers of thousands of songwriters, performers and publishers in all genres of music during her five-decade career at BMI. Previous recipients of the award are music publisher Bob Beckham (2008), music publisher Bill Hall (2009), Preston (2010), music publisher David Conrad (2011), music publisher Donna Hilley (2012), Bluebird Café founder Amy Kurland (2013) and music publisher Pat Higdon (2014).

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala is one of the music industry’s premier events of the year. The evening features tributes and performances of the inductees’ songs by special guest artists. In recent years artists such as Garth Brooks, Jimmy Buffett, Ronnie Dunn, Emmylou Harris, Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Marty Stuart, Taylor Swift, Josh Turner and Trisha Yearwood have performed at or participated in the event. As previously announced, this year’s inductees are Aaron Barker, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Bob Morrison and Townes Van Zandt. Fellow songwriter organization the Nashville Songwriters Association International also participates in the evening by presenting its annual awards for the year’s Best Song, Songwriter and Songwriter/Artist, as well as the Top 10 “Songs I Wish I Had Written” as determined by its professional songwriters division.

The 46th Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala will take place at the Music City Center. Tickets for the event are $250 each. Select seating is available to the public and may be purchased as available by contacting Executive Director Mark Ford at hoftix@nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com or 615-460-6556.

About the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame
Induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame is one of the nation’s most highly prized songwriting achievements. Since 1970, the Hall has enshrined nearly 200 of the greatest writers from all genres of music ever to put words to music in Music City, including such luminaries as Bill Anderson, Bobby Braddock, Garth Brooks, Felice & Boudleaux Bryant, Johnny Cash, Don & Phil Everly, Harlan Howard, Kris Kristofferson, Loretta Lynn, Bob McDill, Bill Monroe, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Dottie Rambo, Jimmie Rodgers, Fred Rose, Don Schlitz, Cindy Walker and Hank Williams. Operated by the non-profit Nashville Songwriters Foundation, the Hall of Fame is dedicated to honoring Nashville’s rich legacy of songwriting excellence through preservation, celebration and education.

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Bill Lowery
by Laura McCarty for Georgia Humanities in 2006
updated by the New Ga Encyclopedia staff in 2013

Bill Lowery, often referred to as "Mr. Atlanta Music," was a disc jockey, manager, producer, and publisher whose efforts were central to the establishment of the Atlanta popular music scene from the 1950s until the end of the twentieth century. He was one of the first two individuals inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame (along with Ray Charles) in 1979.

William James Lowery Jr. was born on October 21, 1924, in Leesburg, Louisiana, to Elizabeth McCracken and William J. Lowery. His father was a railroad conductor, and his mother, who encouraged her son's musical interests, occasionally sang gospel. At age sixteen, Lowery began working as a disc jockey, which took him to towns across the South and Midwest. He also studied radio dramatics at Taft Junior College in Taft, California. In 1945 he was hired as the station manager of WBEJ in Elizabethton, Tennessee, making him the youngest radio station manager in the nation at that time.

In 1946 Lowery traveled to Atlanta to attend a football game between the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of Alabama, and afterward he sought an opportunity to relocate to Georgia. His Tennessee employer obtained a broadcast license for the Atlanta area and named Lowery the manager of a new station, WQXI. The first station in Atlanta to offer popular music on Sunday mornings, WQXI achieved some ratings success under Lowery's leadership through a mixture of popular music and news formats.

In 1948 Lowery accepted an offer to work at rival station WGST. There he broadcast Georgia Tech football games and continued his disc jockey work. He also hosted several weekly programs, including Mama Goes A'Shopping, Musical Tune, and Who's Singing. To host Uncle Ebenezer Brown, a Saturday morning show that featured local talent, he took on the persona of the title character, or "Uncle Eb." This show was similar to The Grand Ole Opry, as it provided a showcase for local singers and songwriters. Through this program Lowery began to network with music business representatives who were interested in his reviews of local talent. Uncle Ebenezer Brown marked the debut of Joe South, who would later become one of the most prolific writers among the entertainers managed by Lowery.

Early in his career, many colleagues in the music business encouraged Lowery to leave Atlanta, noting that more opportunity was available in Nashville, Tennessee; New York City; and Los Angeles, California. Lowery remained faithful to his adopted hometown, though, and worked tirelessly on his dream to make Atlanta "the music capital of the world."

After being diagnosed with cancer in 1951, Lowery began publishing music on his own through the Lowery Music Company. By 1953 the company had its first hit, the gospel song "I Have but One Goal," which was written by Cotton Carrier. Accompanied by the Smith Brothers, Lowery recorded the song, which sold more than 150,000 copies and became a gospel standard. As a result of this successful partnership, Carrier began to work for Lowery's company, where he remained until his death in 1994.

Three years later, the Lowery Music Company published its first single that would sell a million copies, the Gene Vincent song "Be-Bop-a-Lula" (1956). In 1957 Lowery published "Young Love," written by Atlantans Ric Cartey and Carol Joyner. "Young Love" remains the Lowery Music Company's best-selling song, having achieved number-one rankings on the country and pop charts with recordings by Tab Hunter, Sonny James and Donny Osmond.

A second part of the Lowery enterprise was the National Recording Corporation, which recorded and pressed albums. Although this portion of the business folded in 1961, Lowery maintained a studio for recording, which is known today as Southern Tracks. Together Lowery's publishing, recording, and management businesses were known as the Lowery Group, and their headquarters were moved to Clairmont Road in Atlanta.

The 60’s were an extraordinary decade for the Lowery Music Company, with publishing success across musical genres. Ray Stevens began the success with the novelty song "Ahab the Arab," which came out in 1962. Teen star Tommy Roe had four hits, including the classic "Dizzy." The Tams cut beach music standards "Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy" and "What Kind of Fool." The Beatles recorded the Roy Lee Johnson song "Mr. Moonlight" in 1965. The end of the decade marked the rise of the Classics IV and their trilogy "Stormy," "Spooky," and "Traces," which sold millions.

The 1960’s and early 1970’s also marked the apex of Joe South's career as a singer and songwriter, under the management of Lowery. Billy Joe Royal recorded South's "Down in the Boondocks," which rose to number nine on the charts in 1965. Deep Purple recorded a hard-rock version of "Hush," which was one of the first songs of that genre to be played across radio formats. In 1969 "Games People Play" won three Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year, and in 1971 Lynn Anderson's "(I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden" was the most-played song of the year, according to BMI.

In the early 1980s the company released the album The First Piece of the Rock to honor blues pianist Willie Lee Perryman. The Lowery Music Company continued as a publisher through the 1990s, collaborating with such rock artists as the Atlanta Rhythm Section, Alicia Bridges, Bertie Higgins, and Starbuck. Lowery also worked with country songwriters, including Sammy Johns, who wrote "Common Man" for John Conlee and "America" for Waylon Jennings. Buddy Buie and J.R. Cobb, who wrote for the Atlanta Rhythm Section, also published country songs for Wynonna Judd ("Rock Bottom") and Travis Tritt ("Homesick" and "Back Up against the Wall"). In 1999 Lowery sold the rights for his publishing group to Sony.

Throughout his career, Lowery networked in civic and music business affairs. He founded the Atlanta chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. He twice served as the national president of this group, which organizes the Grammy Awards. He also was on the boards of the Country Music Association, the Country Music Foundation, and the National Music Publishers Association. He was inducted into the Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame in 1984.

In 1978 he was appointed to a citizens panel to advise the state senate about the possibilities for establishing a Georgia Recording Commission, similar to the Georgia Film Commission. This group organized an annual Georgia music festival, which led to the practice of inducting members into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. Lowery was one of the initial two inductees into this group, and he remained active with its efforts through the establishment of a Georgia Music Hall of Fame building in Macon in 1996. (The facility remained open for fifteen years, closing in 2011.)

Throughout his career Lowery remained a faithful collaborator with the musicians whose works he published or whose songs he recorded. He also involved family members in his business, including his wife, Billie, and two of their three children - William "Butch" and Terri. As Lowery's health declined in the late 1990s, he turned over administration of the company to his family. He remained involved in the Georgia music scene, however, serving annually as the producer of the "Georgies" awards program. Lowery died on June 8, 2004.

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Media inquiries:
Jennifer Bohler / Alliance
615 292 5804
Email: jballiance@comcast.net

Event inquiries:
Mark Ford, Executive Director / Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame
615 460 6556
mail@nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com

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Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (1)

Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2016

August 10 2016

Pictured clockwise from top left: Townes Van Zandt, Bob Morrison, Aaron Barker, Beth Nielsen Chapman

Nashville, TN -- Townes Van Zandt, Bob Morrison, Aaron Barker and Beth Nielsen Chapman will be inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in October, according to an announcement made Aug. 9 by Hall of Fame member Pat Alger, chair of the organization’s board of directors.

The four new inductees will join the 199 existing members of the elite organization when they are officially inducted during the 46th Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on Sunday, October 9, at the Music City Center.

“The strength and power of the Nashville Songwriting Community is legendary all over the world,” says Alger. “The legacy of the creative forebears of the songwriters currently making the noise in our town is annually recognized by the induction of a few of those great writers into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. This year we are extremely proud to welcome the class of 2016: Aaron Barker and Beth Nielsen Chapman in the songwriter category; Bob Morrison in the veteran songwriter category and the late Townes Van Zandt as our songwriter/artist.”

Aaron Barker’s songwriter credits include “Baby Blue” and “Love Without End, Amen” (George Strait) and “What About Now” (Lonestar). Beth Nielsen Chapman’s resume is known for “Nothing I Can Do About It Now” (Willie Nelson), “Strong Enough To Bend” (Tanya Tucker) and “This Kiss” (Faith Hill). Bob Morrison is the tunesmith behind “Lookin’ For Love” (Johnny Lee), “Whiskey, If You Were A Woman” (Highway 101) and “You Decorated My Life” (Kenny Rogers). Townes Van Zandt popularized many of his own compositions, including “If I Needed You,” “Pancho And Lefty” and “To Live Is To Fly.”

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala is one of the music industry’s premier events of the year. The evening features tributes and performances of the inductees’ songs by special guest artists. In recent years artists such as Garth Brooks, Jimmy Buffett, Ronnie Dunn, Emmylou Harris, Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Marty Stuart, Taylor Swift, Josh Turner and Trisha Yearwood have performed at or participated in the event. Fellow songwriter organization the Nashville Songwriters Association International also participates in the evening by presenting its annual awards for the year’s Best Song, Songwriter and Songwriter/Artist, as well as the Top 10 “Songs I Wish I Had Written” as determined by their professional songwriters division.

Tickets for the Hall of Fame Gala are $250 each. Select seating is available to the public and may be purchased as available by contacting Executive Director Mark Ford at hoftix@nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com or 615-460-6556.

Inductee Biographical Information

AARON BARKER spent the better part of two decades in a band that performed at military bases and public events across the U.S. During long stretches on the bus he began experimenting with writing songs. His first attempt, “Baby Blue,” was recorded by George Strait and topped the country chart in Billboard. Aaron soon began performing his original material in small clubs and cafes. One night after a long father-son talk he wrote “Love Without End, Amen.” Once again his song was recorded by George Strait and topped the country chart. After that, more Strait hits followed: “Easy Come, Easy Go,” “I’d Like To Have That One Back,” “I Know She Still Loves Me” and “I Can Still Make Cheyenne.” Aaron’s hits with other artists include “Not Enough Hours In The Night” by Doug Supernaw, “Watch This” and “You’re Beginning To Get To Me” by Clay Walker and “What About Now” by Lonestar. Aaron is also the writer and singer of many radio and television commercials for the Blue Bell Ice Cream Company, including “Have Yourself A Blue Bell Country Day” and “The Good Ol’ Days.” In 2007 he was inducted into the Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame.

BETH NIELSEN CHAPMAN is a Texas-born “Air Force brat” who was raised on military bases from New England to Germany. Adept on guitar and piano, she began performing as a teenager in Montgomery, Ala. She signed her first song contract in 1979, then recorded her debut solo LP in 1980. After she moved to Nashville in 1985, she worked as a session singer while her songs found acceptance in the pop and country fields through cuts by artists such as Bonnie Raitt, Neil Diamond, Michael McDonald and Bette Midler, as well as Pam Tillis, Crystal Gayle, Kathy Mattea and Emmylou Harris. Among Beth’s best-known songs are “Ain’t Necessarily So” and “Nothing I Can Do About It Now” by Willie Nelson, “Down On My Knees” by Trisha Yearwood, “Five Minutes” by Lorrie Morgan, “Happy Girl” by Martina McBride, “Here We Are” by Alabama, “Maybe That’s All It Takes” by Don Williams, “Simple Things” by Jim Brickman & Rebecca Lynn Howard and “Strong Enough To Bend” by Tanya Tucker. “This Kiss” by Faith Hill won 1999 Song of the Year with both ASCAP and the CMA. Beth has also been a regular visitor to the adult contemporary charts herself as an artist with 10 albums of her own.

BOB MORRISON is a Biloxi native who attended Mississippi State University on a track scholarship and graduated with a degree in nuclear engineering. While in college, he began writing songs and performing in clubs up and down the east coast which led to a record deal with Columbia Records in New York. In 1973 Bob moved to Nashville, where he signed with Combine Music and soon began getting cuts. In 1980, Bob won a Best Country Song Grammy for “You Decorated My Life” by Kenny Rogers. Also that year the film Urban Cowboy featured two of Bob’s songs: “Lookin’ For Love” by Johnny Lee and “Love The World Away” by Kenny Rogers. Other highlights from Bob’s catalog include “You’re The One” by The Oak Ridge Boys, “The Love She Found In Me” by Gary Morris, “Don’t Call Him A Cowboy” by Conway Twitty, “Are You On The Road To Loving Me Again” by Debby Boone, “Shine On (Shine All Your Sweet Love On Me)” by George Jones, “Whiskey, If You Were A Woman” by Highway 101 and “Tonight The Heartache’s On Me” by The Dixie Chicks. Bob was ASCAP’s Country Songwriter of the Year in 1978, 1980, 1981 and 1982. He was NSAI Songwriter of the Year in 1980.

TOWNES VAN ZANDT was a “songwriter’s songwriter” who is widely regarded as the most influential Texas songwriter of his generation. Born in Ft. Worth, Texas, to an oil-rich family, Townes rejected a life of privilege to begin his folk-singing career in Houston in 1965. In 1968 he was discovered by Mickey Newbury, who brought him to Nashville. Throughout the next quarter century Townes would live, write and record in Music City, creating cult favorites such as “For The Sake Of The Song,” “Waiting ’Round To Die,” “To Live Is To Fly,” “No Place To Fall,” “Rex’s Blues,” “St. John The Gambler,” “Tecumseh Valley” and “White Freight Liner Blues.” Though critically acclaimed as a recording artist, he remained largely unknown to the mainstream save for covers of his recordings such as “If I Needed You” by Emmylou Harris & Don Williams and “Pancho And Lefty” by Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard. Townes died Jan. 1, 1997, at age 52, after struggling with alcoholism throughout his career. In 2012, he was inducted into the Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame.

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July 27 Hits From The Hall To Feature Tom Douglas, Richard Leigh, Shane Minor At City Winery

July 19 2016

Come join us Wednesday evening (July 27) at City Winery Nashville. Our HITS FROM THE HALL show will feature songs and stories from Hall of Fame member TOM DOUGLAS (Class of 2014), Hall of Fame member RICHARD LEIGH (Class of 1994) and hit songwriter SHANE MINOR (“Chillin’ It”). Not only is this an awesome show; it’s also a fundraiser to benefit the non-profit Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. We need your support – GET YOUR SEATS TODAY!

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JULY 27 “HITS FROM THE HALL” AT CITY WINERY TO FEATURE
TOM DOUGLAS, RICHARD LEIGH, SHANE MINOR

Event features songwriters behind “Beautiful Mess” * “Brand New Girlfriend” * “Chillin' It” * “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” * “Meanwhile Back At Mama’s” * “Raise ’Em Up” * “Somewhere In My Broken Heart” * “The Greatest Man I Never Knew” * “The House That Built Me”

The songwriters behind “Chillin' It,” “Southern Voice” and “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” will perform at the third Hits From The Hall show of the spring/summer season on Wednesday, July 27, at City Winery Nashville. Hit songwriter Shane Minor will join Hall of Fame members Tom Douglas and Richard Leigh for the 7:00-9:00 p.m. show, which benefits the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF).

The mega-hit songwriters will share the stage as they perform hit singles they’ve written for artists such as Kenny Chesney, The Dixie Chicks, Crystal Gayle, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Parmalee, Cole Swindell and Keith Urban. Beyond stellar renditions of their own songs, the three writers will swap stories recounting how their hits were written and recorded to give the audience a rare glimpse inside the songs they know and love.

Tickets are $20 for downstairs seating; $30 for limited upstairs VIP seating. All seats are reserved and may be purchased at citywinery.com/nashville or by contacting the venue at (615) 324-1010. City Winery is located at 609 Lafayette St.

About Hits From The Hall:
Hits From The Hall is a fundraiser benefitting the non-profit Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, which honors Nashville’s rich legacy of songwriting excellence through preservation, celebration and education. The show combines Hall of Fame members with other great writers for an evening of classic songs and the stories behind them.

About the performers:

Tom Douglas (2014 Inductee - Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame)
After 13 years in Dallas, Texas, selling commercial real estate, Tom Douglas played “Little Rock” for producer Paul Worley at a 1993 songwriting seminar. A year later, the song was a Country hit for Collin Raye. Three years later, Douglas moved back to Nashville, and more hits followed. “The Gift” by Collin Raye w/ Jim Brickman & Susan Ashton earned a 1998 Dove Award for Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year. “I Run To You” by Lady Antebellum earned the 2009 CMA Single of the Year. “The House That Built Me” by Miranda Lambert earned the 2010 NSAI Song of the Year, the 2010 CMA Song of the Year and the 2011 ACM Song and Single of the Year. Other Tom Douglas songs include “Love’s The Only House” by Martina McBride, “Raise ’Em Up” by Keith Urban and the Tim McGraw hits “My Little Girl,” “Southern Voice” and “Meanwhile Back At Mama’s.”

Richard Leigh (1994 Inductee - Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame)
Virginia native Richard Leigh has had hits spanning four decades and nine #1 records. Leigh’s big break came in 1976, when Crystal Gayle recorded “I’ll Get Over You,” which topped the Country chart. In 1978 Gayle’s iconic recording of Leigh’s “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” not only topped the Country and Pop charts, it earned Leigh the Grammy Award for Best Country Song and the CMA Song of the Year. His “Somewhere In My Broken Heart,” written with and recorded by Billy Dean, was named the 1991 Song of the Year for both NSAI and the Academy Of Country Music. Other hits written by Leigh include “Only Here For A Little While” by Billy Dean, “The Greatest Man I Never Knew” by Reba McEntire “Come From The Heart” by Kathy Mattea, “That’s The Thing About Love” by Don Williams, “Life’s Highway” by Steve Wariner and “Cold Day In July” by The Dixie Chicks.

Shane Minor
California native Shane Minor is a former rodeo bull rider and Los Angeles police officer. After making the move to Nashville, he was signed in 1999 to Mercury Nashville Records, where his self-titled album produced three hit singles on the Country chart. His “Beautiful Mess” by Diamond Rio became his first #1 Country hit as a songwriter in 2002. Since then Shane’s songwriting credits include “You're in My Head” by Brian McComas, “She Thinks She Needs Me” by Andy Griggs, “Brand New Girlfriend” by Steve Holy, “Fall” by Clay Walker (also a hit by Kimberley Locke), “International Harvester” by Craig Morgan, “Live A Little” by Kenny Chesney, “Close Your Eyes” by Parmalee, and “Chillin' It” by Cole Swindell.

About the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame:
Induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF) is one of the nation’s most highly prized songwriting honor. Since 1970, nearly 200 of Music City’s top tunesmiths from all genres of music have been enshrined by the non-profit organization, which honors Nashville’s rich legacy of songwriting excellence through preservation, celebration and education. In 2013, NaSHOF realized a long-held dream with the opening of its Hall of Fame Gallery, located in downtown Nashville on the first floor of the Music City Center (201 5th Avenue South).

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June 21 Hits From The Hall To Feature Don Henry, Wendell Mobley, Mike Reid At City Winery

June 13 2016

Come join us Tuesday evening (June 21) at City Winery Nashville. Our HITS FROM THE HALL show will feature songs and stories from hit songwriters DON HENRY (“All Kinds Of Kinds”), WENDELL MOBLEY (“Fast Cars And Freedom”) and Hall of Fame member MIKE REID (Class of 2005). Not only is this an awesome show; it’s also a fundraiser to benefit the non-profit Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. We need your support – GET YOUR SEATS TODAY!

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JUNE 21 “HITS FROM THE HALL” AT CITY WINERY TO FEATURE
DON HENRY, WENDELL MOBLEY, MIKE REID

Event features songwriters behind “All Kinds Of Kinds” * “Beautiful Fool” * “Fast Cars And Freedom” * “How Forever Feels” * “I Can't Make You Love Me” * “Lost In The Fifties Tonight” * “Stranger In My House” * “Tattoos On This Town” * “Where've You Been"

The songwriters behind “All Kinds Of Kinds,” “Fast Cars And Freedom” and “I Can’t Make You Love Me” will perform at the second Hits From The Hall show of the spring/summer season on Tuesday, June 21, at City Winery Nashville. Hit songwriters Don Henry and Wendell Mobley will join Hall of Fame member Mike Reid for the 6:30-8:30 p.m. show, which benefits the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF).

The mega-hit songwriters will share the stage as they perform hit singles they’ve written for artists such as Alabama, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Kathy Mattea, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, Ronnie Milsap, Bonnie Raitt and Wynonna. Beyond stellar renditions of their own songs, the three writers will swap stories recounting how their hits were written and recorded to give the audience a rare glimpse inside the songs they know and love.

Tickets are $20 for downstairs seating; $30 for limited upstairs VIP seating. All seats are reserved and may be purchased at citywinery.com/nashville or by contacting the venue at (615) 324-1010. City Winery is located at 609 Lafayette St.

About Hits From The Hall:
Hits From The Hall is a fundraiser benefitting the non-profit Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, which honors Nashville’s rich legacy of songwriting excellence through preservation, celebration and education. The show combines Hall of Fame members with other great writers for an evening of classic songs and the stories behind them.

About the performers:

Don Henry
San Jose, Calif., native Don Henry mesmerizes audiences with his sometimes poignant, sometimes hilarious slice-of-life songs. In 1979 he moved to Nashville, where he spent four years copying tapes for music publisher Tree International before becoming a staff songwriter for the company. As a recording artist, Don is known for such self-penned songs as “Beautiful Fool,” “Harley” and “Mr. God.” His songwriting credits for other artists include “All Kinds Of Kinds” by Miranda Lambert, “Whole Lotta Holes” by Kathy Mattea and “If I Was Your Man” by Blake Shelton. Henry also co-wrote "Where've You Been" by Kathy Mattea; that song earned a 1990 Grammy Award for Best Country Song, as well as song of the year honors from the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association.

Wendell Mobley
Wendell Mobley began his music career in Celina, Ohio, writing and playing guitar for a local band. Soon other local bands began recording his songs, which encouraged Mobley to move to Nashville to pursue a songwriting career. Upon his arrival in Music City, Mobley auditioned for, and earned, a job as a guitar player Jack Greene’s band. A year later, Mobley took a job playing guitar for super group Alabama. After scoring his first major cut by Kenny Rogers, Mobley decided to stop touring and become a full-time writer. To date his songwriting credits include “Banjo,” “Fast Cars And Freedom,” “I Melt” and “Take Me There” by Rascal Flatts, “How Forever Feels” and “There Goes My Life” by Kenny Chesney, “Tattoos On This Town” by Jason Aldean and “How Country Feels” by Randy Houser.

Mike Reid (2005 Inductee - Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame)
An NCAA All-American and All-Pro NFL defensive lineman, Mike Reid has been as dominant in Country music as he was on the gridiron in the 1960s and ‘70s. The Altoona, Pennsylvania, native moved to Nashville in 1980 and signed with Ronnie Milsap's publishing company in 1982. Milsap quickly began recording Reid songs such as "Stranger In My House" (which won Reid a 1983 Grammy for Best Country Song) and "Lost In The Fifties Tonight" (which was named ASCAP's Country Song of the Year in 1986). Reid’s songwriting credits also include "Everywhere" by Tim McGraw, "I Wouldn't Be A Man" by both Don Williams and by Josh Turner, "To Be Loved By You" by Wynonna and the Pop hit "I Can't Make You Love Me" by Bonnie Raitt that has been covered dozens of times by artists such as George Michael, Kenny Rogers, Kelly Clarkson and Adele.

About the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame:
Induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF) is one of the nation’s most highly prized songwriting honor. Since 1970, nearly 200 of Music City’s top tunesmiths from all genres of music have been enshrined by the non-profit organization, which honors Nashville’s rich legacy of songwriting excellence through preservation, celebration and education. In 2013, NaSHOF realized a long-held dream with the opening of its Hall of Fame Gallery, located in downtown Nashville on the first floor of the Music City Center (201 5th Avenue South).

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May 25 Hits From The Hall To Feature Rodney Clawson, Sonny Curtis, Craig Wiseman At City Winery

May 24 2016

Come join us this Wednesday evening (May 25) at City Winery Nashville. Our HITS FROM THE HALL show will feature songs and stories from hit songwriter RODNEY CLAWSON (“Sippin' On Fire”) and Hall of Fame members SONNY CURTIS (Class of 1991) and CRAIG WISEMAN (Class of 2015). Not only is this an awesome show; it’s also a fundraiser to benefit the non-profit Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. We need your support – GET YOUR SEATS TODAY!

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New season of Hits From The Hall debuts in May

April 25 2016

We’re presenting a new collection of monthly “Hits From The Hall” shows at City Winery this spring/summer to help raise funds for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. The lead-off show on Wednesday, MAY 25, will feature Hall of Fame member CRAIG WISEMAN (Class of 2015), hit songwriter RODNEY CLAWSON and a surprise GUEST TBA. Other shows in the series will be Wednesday, JUNE 15, and Wednesday, JULY 27. All shows run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tickets will be available soon at http://www.citywinery.com/nashville/tickets.html. Come have a great time and support the Hall of Fame!

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Songwriting for Veterans

April 25 2016

On Feb. 26 the Hall of Fame and Belmont University co-sponsored a day-long songwriting retreat for veterans led by Operation Song™, an organization that helps veterans and active-duty military tell their stories through the process of songwriting. Five professional songwriters, including Hall of Fame member THOM SCHUYLER, teamed with Belmont songwriting degree students to write with veterans who served in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. Our participation was made possible by NaSHOF’s WAYLAND HOLYFIELD OUTREACH. For more on Operation Song™, visit their website at OperationSong.org.

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Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (2)

Tickets on sale NOW for Aug. 25 Hits From The Hall

August 10 2015

Go to www.citywinery.com/nashville/hitsfromthehall082515.html to get your seats for Hall of Fame members GARY BURR (“Nobody Wants To Be Lonely”) and ROGER COOK (“Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress”) with special guest JOSH KEAR (“Need You Now”), who will perform TUESDAY, AUG. 25, at CITY WINERY NASHVILLE (609 Lafayette St.) as the third installment of “Hits From The Hall,” a series of shows to help raise funds for the non-profit Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. The three mega-hit songwriters will share the stage as they perform and discuss hits they’ve written for artists such as Garth Brooks, Lady Antebellum, Tim McGraw, George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Don Williams and more. Tickets for the 6:30 p.m. show are $20 for downstairs seating; $30 for limited upstairs VIP seating. All seats are reserved. Don’t miss out on this fantastic evening of classic songs and the stories behind them!

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Get tickets now for June 23 Hits From The Hall

June 12 2015

Get tickets now to see Hall of Fame member Gretchen Peters (“Independence Day”) with Jim Collins (“Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”) and Shane McAnally (“Wild Child”) at “Hits From The Hall” on Tuesday, June 23, at City Winery Nashville (609 Lafayette St.). The three mega-hit songwriters will share the stage as they perform hits they’ve written for artists such as Jason Aldean Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Kacey Musgraves, George Strait, Trisha Yearwood and more. Beyond stellar renditions of their own songs, the writers will swap stories recounting how their hits were written and recorded to give the audience a rare glimpse inside the songs they know and love. Tickets for the 6:30 p.m. show are $20 for downstairs seating; $30 for limited upstairs VIP seating. All seats are reserved and may be purchased at http://www.citywinery.com/nashville/tickets/hitsfromthehall062315.html. Hits From The Hall is a fund raiser benefitting the non-profit Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. The show combines Hall of Fame members with other great writers for an evening of classic songs and the stories behind them.

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Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (3)

Tickets on sale now for April 14 “Hits From The Hall”

April 1 2015

Get tickets while they last for Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame members Mac Davis, Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin, who will perform at our inaugural “Hits From The Hall” show on Tuesday, April 14, at City Winery in Nashville (609 Lafayette St.). The 6:30 p.m. show will help raise funds for the Hall of Fame, so reserve your seats now at www.citywinery.com/nashville/tickets/nashhalloffame041415.html. .

Don’t miss out on this fantastic evening of classic songs and the stories behind them!

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Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (4)

HOF 2014 Inductees Announced

July 8 2014

Pictured clockwise l-r: John Anderson, Paul Craft, Tom Douglas, Gretchen PetersNashville, TN -- John Anderson, Paul Craft, Tom Douglas and Gretchen Peters will be inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in October, according to an announcement made today by Pat Alger, chair of the organization’s Board of Directors. The four new inductees will join the 192 existing members of the elite organization when they are officially inducted during the 44th Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony on Sunday, October 5th at the Music City Center."Here in Nashville where the music industry has always been built on a foundation of great songs written by legendary songwriters, each year only a few are elected to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame," said Alger. "This year we are very pleased to welcome the class of 2014: Tom Douglas and Gretchen Peters in the songwriter category; Paul Craft in the veteran songwriter category and John Anderson as our songwriter/artist."Tom Douglas’ songwriter credits include “I Run To You” (Lady Antebellum) and “The House That Built Me” (Miranda Lambert). Gretchen Peters’ resume is known for “Independence Day” (Martina McBride) and “The Secret Of Life” (Faith Hill). Paul Craft is the tunesmith behind “Dropkick Me, Jesus” (Bobby Bare) and “Hank Williams, You Wrote My Life” (Moe Bandy). John Anderson popularized many of his own compositions, including “Swingin’” and “Seminole Wind.” [Biographical information on each inductee follows this release] The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony is one of the music industry’s foremost events of the year. The evening features tributes and performances of the inductees’ songs by special guest artists. In recent years artists such as Garth Brooks, Jimmy Buffett, the Del McCoury Band, Emmylou Harris, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Barbara Mandrell, Michael McDonald, Ronnie Milsap, Blake Shelton, Marty Stuart, Taylor Swift, Steve Wariner, Gretchen Wilson and Trisha Yearwood have performed at or participated in the event. During the evening, NaSHOF’s sister organization, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), presents its annual awards for the year’s Best Song, Songwriter and Songwriter/Artist, as well as the Top 10 “Songs I Wish I Had Written,” as determined by their professional songwriters division. Tickets for the event are $250 each. Select seating is available to the public and may be purchased (as available) by contacting Executive Director Mark Ford at hoftix@nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com or 615-460-6556. About the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame:To the world, Nashville is synonymous with music and songwriting. Since 1970, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame has honored Music City’s top tunesmiths – some of the greatest writers ever to pick a guitar, play a piano or put pencil to paper in search of the perfect song. To date, the hall boasts 192 members from all genres of music who have reached the pinnacle of their craft, including such luminaries as Bill Anderson, Bobby Braddock, Garth Brooks, Felice & Boudleaux Bryant, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Johnny Cash, "Cowboy" Jack Clement, Rodney Crowell, Don & Phil Everly, Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs, Vince Gill, Merle Haggard, Tom T. Hall, Harlan Howard, Alan Jackson, Kris Kristofferson, Dave Loggins, Loretta Lynn, Bob McDill, Roger Miller, Bill Monroe, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, Paul Overstreet, Dolly Parton, Dottie Rambo, Jimmie Rodgers, Fred Rose, Mark D. Sanders, Don Schlitz, Cindy Walker, Jimmy Webb, Marijohn Wilkin, Hank Williams, Hank Williams, Jr. and Bob Wills.The Hall of Fame is owned and operated by the Nashville Songwriters Foundation Inc., a non-profit dedicated to the mission of educating, archiving and celebrating the songwriting profession uniquely associated with Nashville. In 2013, the Hall of Fame realized a long-held dream with the opening of a physical presence in Nashville’s new Music City Center. Engraved names adorn the steps from Songwriters Square at the corner of Fifth and Demonbreun that lead up to the Hall of Fame Gallery, which features songwriting memorabilia as well as touch screens that allow visitors to access information about the history of Nashville songwriting. Inductee Biographical InformationJOHN ANDERSON was born in Orlando, Fla., and raised in Apopka, Fla. Despite his teenage Rock band roots, he moved to Nashville in 1971 to pursue Country music. Working odd jobs during the day (such as being a roofer on the Grand Ole Opry House), he played clubs at night. By 1977, he signed with Warner Bros. Records and his self-titled debut album in 1980 helped signal the rise of the new traditionalist movement. Following several hits penned by other writers, John’s co-written “Swingin’” shot to #1 and became one of his signature hits in 1983. That song won the 1983 CMA Single of the Year and helped John garner that organization’s Horizon Award. Other John Anderson compositions from the ’80s include “Chicken Truck,” “Goin’ Down Hill,” “I Wish I Could Write You A Song” and “If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It.” Throughout the ’90s John scored hits with “Seminole Wind,” “Country ’Til I Die,” “I Wish I Could Have Been There” and “Bend It Until It Breaks.” John scored another hit with “Shuttin’ Detroit Down” by John Rich in 2009.Memphis-born PAUL CRAFT has a special niche in the Nashville songwriting community. He is one of Music Row’s most prolific providers of songs to the Bluegrass world. Among his 200 cuts in that genre are recordings by stellar artists such as Earl Scruggs, Ralph Stanley, The Lewis Family and The Nashville Bluegrass Band. The Osborne Brothers have recorded 10 Craft tunes; the Seldom Scene have recorded nine. In addition to creating wickedly humorous fare such as “It’s Me Again, Margaret” (Ray Stevens) and Country hits such as “Blue Heartache” (Gail Davies), “Brother Jukebox” (Mark Chesnutt) and “Come As You Were” (T. Graham Brown), Craft is one of only four songwriters to have a pair of solely-written songs nominated for a Best Country Song Grammy in the same year. He accomplished that feat in 1977 with “Dropkick Me, Jesus” (Bobby Bare) and “Hank Williams, You Wrote My Life” (Moe Bandy). Craft’s catalog also contains several “standards,” including“Midnight Flyer,” “Keep Me From Blowing Away” and “Teardrops Will Kiss The Morning Dew.”After graduating from Georgia State University in 1977, Atlanta-born TOM DOUGLAS sold advertising in his hometown before making the move to Nashville a few years later. After four years of futility, Tom and his wife, Katie, moved to Dallas, where they raised a family, and he enjoyed a successful career in commercial real estate. In 1993, at a songwriting seminar in Austin, Tom played “Little Rock” for producer Paul Worley. The following year, the song was a Country hit for Collin Raye and nominated for CMA Song of the Year. Three years later, Tom and family moved back to Nashville, and more hits followed. “The Gift” by Collin Raye w/ Jim Brickman & Susan Ashton earned a 1998 Dove Award for Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year. “I Run To You” by Lady Antebellum earned the 2009 CMA Single of the Year. “The House That Built Me” by Miranda Lambert earned the 2010 NSAI Song of the Year, the 2010 CMA Song of the Year and the 2011 ACMSong and Single of the Year. Other Tom Douglas songs include “Love’s The Only House” by Martina McBride, “Hello World” by Lady Antebellum, and the Tim McGraw hits “Grown Men Don’t Cry,” “My Little Girl,” “Let It Go” and “Southern Voice.”GRETCHEN PETERS was raised in the New York City suburb of Pelham, NY and in Boulder, CO. She performed in bands in the Boulder/Denver area before moving to Nashville in 1987. Her first big songwriting success was “The Chill Of An Early Fall,” recorded by George Strait in 1991. Much of Gretchen’s catalog is solo-written, such as her domestic violence saga “Independence Day,” which was a hit for Martina McBride in 1994 and named the 1995 CMA Song of the Year. The song was nominated for a Grammy, as was “You Don’t Even Know Who I Am,” her 1995 hit by Patty Loveless. Other hits include “The Secret Of Life” (Faith Hill), “Let That Pony Run” (Pam Tillis), “If Heaven” (Andy Griggs), “My Baby Loves Me” (Martina McBride) and “On A Bus To St. Cloud” (Trisha Yearwood). She also has a number of cuts with frequent collaborator/Canadian rocker Bryan Adams such as “This Side Of Paradise” and “Rock Steady” (a duet with Bonnie Raitt). Peters has also recorded eight albums as an artist.

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2014 Nominees for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Announced

April 25 2014

Eight songwriters and four songwriter/artists have been nominated for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Inductees will be announced in June, prior to the fall induction ceremony. This year’s nominees in the songwriter category are: Tom Douglas, Marcus Hummon, Tony Martin, Tim Nichols, Gretchen Peters, Steve Seskin, John Scott Sherrill and Sharon Vaughn. The nominees in the songwriter/artist category are: John Anderson, Rosanne Cash, Larry Gatlin and Amy Grant. Congratulations to all.

About the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame 2014 Nominees:

[Additional information on each nominee available here.]

Category 1 - Songwriters

TOM DOUGLAS

After graduating from Georgia State University in 1977, Atlanta-born Tom Douglas sold advertising in his hometown before making the move to Nashville a few years later. After four years of futility, Tom and his wife, Katie, moved to Dallas, where they raised a family, and he enjoyed a successful career in commercial real estate. In 1993, at a songwriting seminar in Austin, Tom played “Little Rock” for producer Paul Worley. The following year, the song was a Country hit for Collin Raye and nominated for CMA Song of the Year. Three years later, Tom and family moved back to Nashville, and more hits followed. “The Gift” by Collin Raye w/ Jim Brickman & Susan Ashton earned a 1998 Dove Award for Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year. “I Run To You” by Lady Antebellum earned the 2009 CMA Single of the Year. “The House That Built Me” by Miranda Lambert earned the 2010 NSAI Song of the Year, the 2010 CMA Song of the Year and the 2011 ACM Song and Single of the Year. Other Tom Douglas songs include “Love's The Only House” by Martina McBride, “Hello World” by Lady Antebellum, and the Tim McGraw hits “Grown Men Don't Cry,” “My Little Girl,” “Let It Go” and “Southern Voice.”

MARCUS HUMMON

Washington, D.C.-born Marcus Hummon has enjoyed a successful career as a songwriter, recording artist, producer, studio musician, playwright and author. A diplomat’s son, Marcus spent his youth in Africa and Italy. After several years playing in various bands, he found his way to Nashville. As a songwriter, Marcus has co-written hits such as “Cowboy Take Me Away” and “Ready To Run” by The Dixie Chicks, “Born To Fly” by Sara Evans, “One Of These Days” by Tim McGraw, “Only Love” by Wynonna, “The Cheap Seats” by Alabama and “Love Is The Right Place” by Bryan White. “Bless The Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts earned Marcus a 2005 Grammy for Best Country Song, as well as an NSAI Song of the Year nod. A 2007 version by Selah w/ Melodie Crittenden, was a Top 5 Christian song and earned NSAI’s 2007 NSAI Song of the Year. Also an accomplished composer/playwright, Marcus has staged productions at the New York New Musical festival (The Warrior in 2005, The Piper in 2006) and the prestigious Eugene O’Neill Summer Workshop (The Warrior in 2005, American Duet in 2006), among others.

TONY MARTIN

Born in Georgia and raised in Nashville, Tony Martin has been around Country songwriting his entire life. The son of classic Country composer Glenn Martin, Tony grew up at the feet of other stellar songwriters such as Sonny Throckmorton, Mickey Newbury and Hank Cochran. Tony was writing ditties and novelty songs when his father urged him to take his talent more seriously. When Tony subsequently came up with “Baby’s Gotten Good At Goodbye,” his father successfully pitched the song to George Strait. The song became Tony’s first #1 and the first of many other #1 songs throughout his songwriting career. Among his best-known songs are “Living And Living Well” (George Strait), “Banjo” (Rascal Flatts), “I’ll Think Of A Reason Later” (Lee Ann Womack), “Just To See You Smile” (Tim McGraw), “My Give A Damn’s Busted” (JoDee Messina), “No Place That Far” (Sara Evans), “Settle For A Slow Down” (Dierks Bentley), “Third Rock From The Sun” (Joe Diffie) and “You Look Good In My Shirt” (Keith Urban).

TIM NICHOLS

Tim Nichols was born in Portsmouth, Va., and raised in Springfield, Mo. After college, Tim and his band moved to Nashville. By 1984 he was signed to Ronnie Milsap’s publishing company. Tim’s first hit was 1990’s “I'm Over You” by Keith Whitley, which reached #3 on the Country chart shortly after his death in 1989. After a stint on BNA Records in the duo Turner-Nichols, Tim’s songwriting took off with hits such as “Brotherly Love” by Keith Whitley & Earl Thomas Conley, “Heads Carolina, Tails California” by Jo Dee Messina, “(This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing” by Trace Adkins, “I’ll Think Of A Reason Later” by Lee Ann Womack and “That'd Be Alright” by Alan Jackson. In 2004, his “Live Like You Were Dying” by Tim McGraw swept the awards with the 2004 Grammy for Best Country Song, the 2004 CMA Song & Single of the Year, the 2005 ACM Song and Single of the Year, the 2005 ASCAP Country Song of the Year and the 2005 BMI Country Song of the Year. Recent hits from Tim include “A Baby Changes Everything” by Faith Hill, “The Man I Want To Be” by Chris Young and “Cowboys And Angels” by Dustin Lynch.

GRETCHEN PETERS

Gretchen Peters was raised in the New York City suburb of Pelham, N.Y, and in Boulder, Colo. She performed in bands in the Boulder/Denver area before moving to Nashville in 1987. Her first big songwriting success was “The Chill Of An Early Fall,” recorded by George Strait in 1991. Much of Gretchen’s catalog is solo-written, such as her domestic violence saga “Independence Day,” which was a hit for Martina McBride in 1994 and named the 1995 CMA Song of the Year. The song was nominated for a Grammy, as was “You Don’t Even Know Who I Am,” her 1995 hit by Patty Loveless. Other hits include “The Secret Of Life” (Faith Hill), “Let That Pony Run” (Pam Tillis), “If Heaven” (Andy Griggs), “My Baby Loves Me” (Martina McBride) and “On A Bus To St. Cloud” (Trisha Yearwood). She also has a number of cuts with frequent collaborator/Canadian rocker Bryan Adams such as “This Side Of Paradise” and “Rock Steady” (a duet with Bonnie Raitt). Noted as one of the most intelligent and literate Country song crafters, Gretchen has also recorded eight albums as an artist.

STEVE SESKIN

New York-born Steve Seskin began his songwriting career when he moved to San Francisco in 1972. Upon the advice of Crystal Gayle, Steve visited Nashville in 1985 and began co-writing. He first hit the Country chart in 1990 with “Wrong” by Waylon Jennings. He has enjoyed particular success with both John Michael Montgomery (“Life's A Dance,” “If You've Got Love,” “No Man's Land”) and Neal McCoy (“No Doubt About It” and “For A Change”). His “Don't Laugh At Me” by Mark Wills was named the 1998 NSAI Song of the Year. The version by Peter, Paul and Mary became the impetus for the Operation Respect/Don’t Laugh at Me project, a curriculum designed to teach tolerance in schools. Other Steve Seskin hits include “Daddy's Money” by Ricochet, the Grammy-nominated “Grown Men Don't Cry” by Tim McGraw and “I Think About You” by Collin Raye. That song’s video was named the ACM’s 1997 Video of the Year, while the song and video were awarded by the Tennessee Task Force Against Domestic Violence. A successful performer and recording artist on his own, Steve is touring in support of his latest CD, Steve Seskin “Live,” his 17th recording released on his own record label.

JOHN SCOTT SHERRILL

John Scott Sherrill was born in New York City but grew up north of the metropolis in Mount Kisko, N.Y. Dropping out of college, he became a Folk singer in Boston, then a performer in a hippie band that played northeastern colleges. In 1975, he decided to travel to California, stopping in Nashville en route. When his van broke down in Music City, he stayed. He scored his first hit when Johnny Lee released “When You Fall In Love” in 1982. Working with a variety of collaborators, Sherrill has seldom been off the charts since. Among his BMI-award winning songs are “Wild And Blue” (John Anderson), “Some Fools Never Learn” (Steve Wariner), “That Rock Won’t Roll” (Restless Heart), “(Do You Love Me) Just Say Yes” (Highway 101), “The Church On Cumberland Road” (Shenandoah) and “No Man’s Land” (John Michael Montgomery). His “Nothin’ But The Wheel” has been recorded by Country’s Patty Loveless, the Bluegrass band Special Consensus and the Rock duo of Peter Wolf & Mick Jagger. In the late 1980s, Sherrill was a member of the Country group Billy Hill. Among his most recent successes are “How Long Gone” (Brooks & Dunn) and “Would You Go With Me” (Josh Turner).

SHARON VAUGHN

Sharon Vaughn is a Florida native who was originally brought to Nashville by Mel Tillis, who had heard her singing in a club in Orlando. On Music Row, she sang background vocals for Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton and B.J. Thomas, as well as jingles for Kentucky Fried Chicken, Coca-Cola and United Airlines. Her first notable success as a writer occurred in 1976 when Waylon Jennings recorded “MyHeroes Have Always Been Cowboys” on Wanted: The Outlaws, Country’s first Platinum LP. Her first hit came with the Oak Ridge Boys’ 1977 smash “Y’all ComeBack Saloon.” Since then, Sharon has written more than a dozen Top 40 Country hits for artists such as Mark Chesnutt (“Broken Promise Land”), Keith Whitley & Lorrie Morgan (“Til A Tear Becomes A Rose”), Reba McEntire (“I’m NotThat Lonely Yet”), Patty Loveless (“Lonely Too Long”), Randy Travis (“OutOf My Bones”), Trisha Yearwood (“Powerful Thing”) and Jimmy Buffett & Martina McBride (“Trip Around The Sun”). In 2008, she provided Pop tunes to famed American Idol alumni Clay Aiken and Jon Peter Lewis. The past few years, Sharon has been living and working in Stockholm, Sweden, where her song “ReleaseMe” by Agnes has become a hit in over 40 countries. In addition to more than 100 cuts over the past two years, Sharon has been writing songs for musical theatre.

Category 2 - Songwriter/artists

JOHN ANDERSON

John Anderson was born in Orlando, Fla., and raised in Apopka, Fla. Despite his teenage Rock band roots, he moved to Nashville in 1971 to pursue Country music. Working odd jobs during the day (such as being a roofer on the Grand Ole Opry House), he played clubs at night. By 1977, he signed with Warner Bros. Records and his self-titled debut album in 1980 helped signal the rise of the new traditionalist movement. Following several hits penned by other writers, John’s co-written “Swingin’” shot to #1 and became one of his signature hits in 1983. That song won the 1983 CMA Single of the Year and helped John garner that organization’s Horizon Award. Other John Anderson compositions from the ’80s include “Chicken Truck,” “Goin' Down Hill,” “I Wish I Could Write You A Song” and “If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It.” Throughout the ’90s John scored hits with “Seminole Wind,” “Country ’Til I Die,” “I Wish I Could Have Been There” and “Bend It Until It Breaks.” John scored another hit with “Shuttin' Detroit Down” by John Rich in 2009.

ROSANNE CASH

Rosanne Cash was born in Memphis to legendary Country artist Johnny Cash and his first wife Vivian Liberto. After her parents' divorce, she and her siblings moved to Ventura, Calif., to live with their mother. Upon her graduation from high school in 1973, Rosanne spent three years on her father's tour as a wardrobe assistant and background singer. In 1978 she recorded a demo with producer (and future husband) Rodney Crowell. After a debut album release in Germany, Rosanne later signed with Columbia Records in Nashville. She released an album in 1980, followed by her landmark release Seven Year Ache in 1981. The self-penned song, “Seven Year Ache,” became her first #1 record, as did her “Blue Moon With Heartache.” Co-writer Vince Gill hit with two of their songs during the ’80s: “If It Weren't For Him” and “Never Alone.” From that point, Rosanne’s albums would prove worthy vehicles for her considerable songwriting talent, as evidenced by “I Don't Know Why You Don't Want Me,” “Second To No One,” “Hold On” (the 1987 BMI Country Song of the Year), “If You Change Your Mind,” “What We Really Want” and “The Wheel.”

LARRY GATLIN

Larry Wayne Gatlin began his musical career at age 7 singing Gospel music in West Texas with his younger siblings. After college, Larry joined the Imperials and was performing with them in Las Vegas when he was discovered by Dottie West. Once she heard his songs, she sent him a plane ticket to Nashville and signed him to her publishing company. His early songs were recorded by her, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Elvis Presley (“Help Me”) and Johnny Rodriguez ( “I Just Can’t Get Her Out Of My Mind”); however, as an artist himself, Larry had 28 self-penned hits reach the Top 20 between 1975 and 1990. The vast amount of Larry’s catalog is solo-written. Among his signature songs are “All The Gold In California,” “I’ve Done Enough Dyin’ Today,” “Statues Without Hearts,” “I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love,” “Night Time Magic,” “Houston (Means I’m One Day Closer To You),” “The Lady Takes The Cowboy Every Time” and “Broken Lady” (1976 Grammy for Best Country Song). Larry starred on Broadway in The Will Rogers Follies in 1993. In recent years, his Gospel songs have been recorded by many artists. Larry was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006.

AMY GRANT

Perhaps no other artist has so completely defined and dominated a genre as has Amy Grant in Contemporary Christian Music (CCM). Signed to a recording contract at age 16, Amy became a CCM star by the late ’70s. Her 1982 breakthrough album, Age to Age, earned a Grammy and two Dove Awards and was the first Platinum Christian-music album. By the mid-’80s, she also began crossing over to Pop audiences with hits such as “Find A Way” (1985) and “Lead Me On” (1988). Her 1991 album, Heart in Motion, generated the multi-genre hits “Baby Baby,”“Every Heartbeat,”“Good For Me,” “I Will Remember You” and “That’s What Love Is For.” Another Amy song from this era, “Place In This World,” co-written with and recorded by Michael W. Smith, was named the GMA’s 1991 Song of the Year. Another Grant-Smith composition, “Thy Word,” has become a Hymnal standard. During her career, Amy has released four Christmas albums and co-wrote her signature “Tennessee Christmas.” She was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2003. In 2005, Amy starred in the reality TV series Three Wishes and won her sixth Grammy. In 2006, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Amy recently released her 23rd album since 1977, Somewhere Down The Road (2010).

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Hank Cochran Named to Country Music Hall of Fame

April 22 2014

The late Hank Cochran, a 1974 Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame inductee, has been named to the Country Music Hall of Fame's Class of 2014, along with Ronnie Milsap and Mac Wiseman.

Cochran's songwriting credits include hits such as “I Fall To Pieces,” "She’s Got You" and “Make The World Go Away.”

For more on the announcement: http://countrymusichalloffame.org/newsandupdates/posts/cma-to-announce-2014-country-music-hall-of-fame-inductees

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Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Member Kris Kristofferson Receives 2014 Lifetime Achievement Gram

February 5 2014

Known for hits such as “Me And Bobby McGee,” “Sunday Morning Coming Down” and many others, singer, songwriter and actor Kris Kristofferson, who was inducted into the NSHoF in 1977, performed with fellow ‘Highwaymen’ Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard at the 2014 Grammys. The trio performed together in honor of Kristofferson's lifetime achievement award.

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Songwriters Hall of Fame Member Phil Everly Passes Away

January 4 2014

Nashville, TN... The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame mourns the loss of 2001 inductee Phil Everly, who died Friday (Jan. 3, 2014) in Burbank, Calif., of complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He was 74. Half of the legendary music duo The Everly Brothers, Phil was the writer of the smash “When Will I Be Loved,” a Top 10 hit for the Everlys in 1960 and a Country chart-topper for Linda Ronstadt in 1975. “Hearts all over the world are broken with the sad news of Phil Everly’s passing,” said Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Board Chair and fellow HOF inductee Pat Alger. “Thirty years ago I was lucky enough to be chosen as the opening act for the Everly Brothers Reunion tour, and I got to see up-close how much Phil and Don and the Everly Brothers’ music meant to so many people. Phil was a warm, wonderful person – a true Southern gentleman with a great sense of humor and the voice of an angel. I have lost a dear friend, and the music community has lost one its most important native sons. Our hearts go out to his wife, Patti, his brother, Don, and all of his family, friends and fans.”

More on Phil is available at http://nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com/d-g/phil-everly.aspx.

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Ford Honored With 2013 Stephen Foster Award

November 25 2013

NaSHOF Executive Director Mark Ford is the recipient of the 2013 Stephen Foster Award, presented Nov. 20 by the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI).

Named in honor of the NaSHOF member known as America’s first professional songwriter, the award was presented to Ford in recognition of more than two decades of outstanding service to songwriters, the music industry and NSAI. Previous recipients include former Vice President Al Gore, Mike Dye, Butch Spyridon, Marijohn Wilkin, Harry Chapman, Connie Bradley and Lisa Harless.

For more on the event, go to www.musicrow.com

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NaSHOF Inducts Will Jennings, Layng Martine, Jr., Jeffrey Steele And Alabama’s Randy Owen

October 14 2013

NASHVILLE, TN.... Alabama front-man Randy Owen and hit songwriters Will Jennings, Layng Martine, Jr. and Jeffrey Steele were inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall Fame during the organization's 43rd Anniversary Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony, held last night at the Music City Center. The event celebrated the musical contributions of the newest inductees through star-studded performances of some of their biggest hits. Additionally, as reported earlier this week, Taylor Swift broke the record when the NSAI’s Songwriter/Artist of the Year award was presented to her for a record-breaking sixth time.

“With the opening of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gallery at the Music City Center earlier this year, 2013 marked a major milestone for the organization,” said Pat Alger, Hall of Fame member and Board Chair of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation. “We are honored to welcome our latest Hall of Fame members as the first new class to soon have their names added to the Gallery and engraved on Songwriters’ Square.”

Jeffrey Steele was inducted by Hall of Fame songwriter Bob DiPiero. Steele co-writers Al Anderson and Craig Wiseman, along with the Steele-produced Shuggah Pies, performed a medley of his songs that included “My Wish," "When The Lights Go Down,” “Unbelievable," "The Cowboy In Me,” “Hell Yeah” and “Love Is A Beautiful Thing.” Artist Aaron Lewis closed out the set with “What Hurts The Most."

Layng Martine, Jr. was inducted by Hall of Fame songwriter Wayland Holyfield. Hall of Fame songwriter Richard Leigh performed “The Greatest Man I Never Knew,” a song co-written with Martine. Longtime friend/Hall of Fame songwriter Ray Stevens closed out the set with renditions of “Way Down” and "Rub It In."

Will Jennings was inducted by his long time publisher Lance Freed. Striking Matches performed Jennings’ "Please Remember Me.” Legendary artist Steve Winwood, who was out of the country and unable to attend the ceremony, greeted the crowd gathered at Music City Center and performed “Higher Love” via a pre-recorded video. Music icon Emmylou Harris and Hall of Fame songwriter Vince Gill closed out the segment with “Tears In Heaven." Though not able to be present, Jennings thanked everyone via a pre-recorded video message while friend Charles Sussman accepted on Jennings’ behalf.

Randy Owen was inducted by country music historian Robert K Oermann, while Owen's wife Kelly offered up some insightful stories behind the songs. American Idol’s Kree Harrison performed “Feels So Right,” followed by Jamey Johnson with “My Home’s In Alabama” and Connie Smith with “Lady Down On Love.”

In a special tribute alongside the hall of fame inductions, Hall of Fame songwriters Don Schlitz and Thom Schuyler presented the Frances Williams Preston Mentor Award to Bluebird Café founder Amy Kurland.

The evening also featured a nod to the recently constructed Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gallery, housed in the Music City Center, and the introduction of the organization’s first executive director in its 43-year history, Mark Ford.

In addition to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductions, NaSHOF's sister organization, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), presented its annual Songwriter Achievement Awards.

The organization's professional songwriter members voted “I Drive Your Truck” by Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington andJimmy Yeary as their Song of the Year.

The Songwriter of the Year prize went to Rodney Clawson, co-writer of hits such as “Take A Little Ride”by Jason Aldean, “Crash My Party” and “Drunk On You” by Luke Bryan, “Did It For The Girl”by Greg Bates, “Feel Like A Rock Star”by Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw, “Get Your Shine On” and “Round Here”by Florida Georgia Line, “One Of Those Nights”by Tim McGraw and “Sure Be Cool If You Did”by Blake Shelton.

The Songwriter/Artist of the Year was presented for a record-breaking sixth time to Taylor Swift, who scored self-penned hits of her own, such as “Begin Again,” “I Knew You Were Trouble,” “Red” and “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” Swift’s accomplishment gives her the most wins in the history of that NSAI award.

Besides honoring the Song, Songwriter and Songwriter/Artist, the writers of NSAI's Professional Songwriters Division also singled out 10 songs and their writers for the organization's 2013 awards, informally dubbed "The Songs I Wish I'd Written." Recipients were: “Better Dig Two” (Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, Trevor Rosen / recorded by The Band Perry), “Cruise” (Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Joey Moi, Chase Rice, Jesse Rice / recorded by Florida Georgia Line), “Hard To Love” (Ben Glover, Billy Montana, John Ozier / recorded by Lee Brice),“Highway Don’t Care” (Mark Irwin, Josh Kear, Brad Warren, Brett Warren / recorded by Tim McGraw & Taylor Swift), “I Drive Your Truck” (Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, Jimmy Yeary / recorded by Lee Brice), “Like Jesus Does” (Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell / recorded by Eric Church), “Mama’s Broken Heart” (Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves / recorded by Miranda Lambert), “Merry Go ’Round ” (Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves, Josh Osborne / recorded by Kacey Musgraves), “Pontoon” (Barry Dean, Natalie Hemby, Luke Laird / recorded by Little Big Town) and “Wagon Wheel”, (Bob Dylan, Ketch Secor / recorded by Darius Rucker).

Pictured (l-r) are: Pat Alger, Layng Martine, Jr.,Randy Owen, Jeffrey Steele and Mark Ford.

Photo Credit: Bev Moser

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Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Names Mark Ford Its First Director

October 7 2013

Nashville, TN October 7, 2013 -- The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation (NaSHOF) announced today that industry veteran Mark Ford has been named to the newly created position of Executive Director. In his new post, Ford will be responsible for strategic planning, fund raising, education, operations and brand development for the non-profit.

“It's been a remarkable year for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation,” said Hall of Fame songwriter and NaSHOF Board Chair Pat Alger. "Following the celebration of the new Hall of Fame in the Music City Center, we are excited to welcome Mark as our organization's first Executive Director. His long-standing personal relationship with our music community - and songwriters especially - coupled with his knowledge, experience and commitment to the Hall of Fame, make him the ideal person to lead us into the future.”

Prior to joining the Foundation, the South Carolina native spent 23 years at the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), most recently in the position of Associate Executive Director. During his NSAI tenure, Ford worked closely with NaSHOF, directing the Foundation’s annual hall of fame induction dinner since 2001 and serving as that organization’s manager of affairs since 2004.

“I’m honored to represent this hall of fame and such an amazing group of songwriters,” said Ford. “The creative genius of these talented men and women has influenced American culture, added to the nation’s economy and launched countless careers – all while marking the most memorable moments of our lives. I look forward to working with Pat and the board to preserve and promote such a unique songwriting legacy.”

Ford can be reached at MarkFord@NashvilleSongwritersFOUNDATION.com or by phone at 615-256-3354.

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Amy Kurland To Be Presented With Frances Williams Preston Mentor Award At NaSHoF Ceremony

September 9 2013

Bluebird Café founder Amy Kurland will be presented with the Frances Williams Preston Mentor Award during the upcoming Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony on Oct. 13, 2013, it was announced today by Pat Alger, Chair of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation. The Mentor Award is presented each year to a dedicated individual who has nurtured songwriters and helped them master the art and craft of songwriting.

“Amy Kurland’s love and appreciation for songwriters is legendary,” said Alger. “As the founder of the Bluebird Café, she created a home for Nashville writers at every level of success to test their talents in front of a respectful and loyal audience. Amy was an early supporter of many of the most successful songwriters in town, many of whom are now members of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Her steadfast belief that an audience was just as interested in the people that created a song as they were in the singer who sang it is the enduring strength behind the Bluebird’s iconic success and it set the standard for songwriter nights all over Nashville. Like the Bluebird Café, Amy Kurland has become synonymous with the Nashville songwriting community and Music City itself.”

Kurland receives the award named for Frances W. Preston, who influenced and nurtured the careers of thousands of songwriters, performers and publishers in all genres of music during her five-decade career at BMI. Previous recipients of the award are music publisher Bob Beckham (2008), music publisher Bill Hall (2009), Preston (2010), music publisher David Conrad (2011) and music publisher Donna Hilley (2012).

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony is one of the music industry’s foremost events of the year. The evening features tributes and performances of the inductees’ songs by special guest artists. NaSHOF’s sister organization, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), also presents its annual awards for the year’s Best Song, Songwriter and Songwriter/Artist, as well as the Top 10 “Songs I Wish I Had Written,” as determined by the professional songwriters division.

The 43rd Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony ispresented by AT&T, and will take place at the Music City Center. Tickets for the event are $225 each. Seats are available to the public and may be purchased (as available) by contacting event director Mark Ford at hoftix@nashvillesongwriters.com or (615) 256-3354.

About the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame

To the world, Nashville is synonymous with music and songwriting. Since 1970, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame has honored Music City’s top tunesmiths – some of the greatest writers ever to pick a guitar, play a piano or put pencil to paper in search of the perfect song. To date, the hall boasts 188 members from all genres of music who have reached the pinnacle of their craft, including such luminaries as Bill Anderson, Bobby Braddock, Garth Brooks, Felice & Boudleaux Bryant, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Johnny Cash, "Cowboy" Jack Clement, Rodney Crowell, Don & Phil Everly, Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs, Vince Gill, Merle Haggard, Tom T. Hall, Harlan Howard, Alan Jackson, Kris Kristofferson, Dave Loggins, Loretta Lynn, Bob McDill, Roger Miller, Bill Monroe, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, Paul Overstreet, Dolly Parton, Dottie Rambo, Jimmie Rodgers, Fred Rose, Mark D. Sanders, Don Schlitz, Cindy Walker, Jimmy Webb, Marijohn Wilkin, Hank Williams, Hank Williams, Jr. and Bob Wills.

The Hall of Fame is funded and managed by the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to the mission of educating, archiving and celebrating the songwriting profession uniquely associated with Nashville. In 2013, the Hall of Fame realized a long-held dream with the opening of a physical presence in Nashville’s new Music City Center. The steps from Songwriters Square at the corner of Fifth and Demonbreun lead up to the Hall of Fame Gallery, which features songwriting memorabilia as well as touch screens that allow visitors to access information about the history of Nashville songwriting.

Amy Kurland

Amy Kurland is the retired owner and manager of the world-famous listening room The Bluebird Café, which she opened in 1982. For more than 25 years, she mentored many of Nashville's top songwriters and artists, including Don Schlitz, Ashley Cleveland, Tony Arata and Kathy Mattea.

“Mentoring is a strange word for what I did,” Kurland says. “It was more about providing people with a place to play, encouraging them and helping to advance their careers.” Since donating The Bluebird Café to the Nashville Songwriters Association International in 2008, Kurland has remained actively involved with the venue, while serving on the boards for local drug and alcohol recovery centers Discovery Place and 202 Friendship House.

Of her time running the Bluebird, Kurland says, “So many wonderful, ridiculous things have happened because of the Bluebird. The movie, the book, now the TV show. I'm just glad that the Bluebird magic, whatever that is, wasn't all about me. It never really was about me. It was just about that thing. But maybe I chose it by saying, 'We're going to feature songwriters and we're going to take it seriously.'”

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Randy Owen, Will Jennings, Layng Martine, Jr. and Jeffrey Steele To Be Inducted Into Nashville Songw

August 15 2013

Nashville, TN...... Will Jennings, Layng Martine, Jr., Randy Owen (Alabama) and Jeffrey Steele will be inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in October, according to an announcement made today by the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation (NaSHOF).

The four new inductees will join the 188 existing members of the elite organization when they are officially inducted during the 43rd Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremonyon Sunday, October 13th at the Music City Center. AT&T will again be a sponsor of the event.

“Among all the great songwriters who have put the music in Music City, only a few are elected to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame,” said Pat Alger, chair of the foundation’s board of directors. “This year we are delighted to bestow this honor upon Will Jennings and Jeffrey Steele in the songwriter category; Randy Owen in the songwriter/artist category, and Layng Martine Jr. in the veteran songwriter category.”

Will Jennings’ songwriter credits include “Up Where We Belong” (Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes) and “My Heart Will Go On” (Celine Dion). Jeffrey Steele’s resume is known for “The Cowboy In Me” (Tim McGraw) and “What Hurts The Most” (Rascal Flatts). Layng Martine, Jr. is the tunesmith behind “Rub It In” (Billy “Crash” Craddock) and “The Greatest Man I Never Knew” (Reba McEntire). Alabama front-man Randy Owen popularized many of his own compositions with the band, such as “Feels So Right” and “Fallin’ Again.”

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony is one of the music industry’s foremost events of the year. The evening features tributes and performances of the inductees’ songs by special guest artists. In recent years artists such as Garth Brooks, Jimmy Buffett, the Del McCoury Band, Emmylou Harris, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Barbara Mandrell, Michael McDonald, Ronnie Milsap, Blake Shelton, Marty Stuart, Taylor Swift, Steve Wariner, Gretchen Wilson and Trisha Yearwood have performed at or participated in the event. During the evening, NaSHOF’s sister organization, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), presents its annual awards for the year’s Best Song, Songwriter and Songwriter/Artist, as well as the Top 10 “Songs I Wish I Had Written,” as determined by the professional songwriters division.

Tickets for the event are $225 each. Seats are available to the public and may be purchased (as available) by contacting event director Mark Ford at hoftix@nashvillesongwriters.com or 615-256-3354.

About the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame:

To the world, Nashville is synonymous with music and songwriting. Since 1970, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame has honored Music City’s top tunesmiths – some of the greatest writers ever to pick a guitar, play a piano or put pencil to paper in search of the perfect song. To date, the hall boasts 188 members from all genres of music who have reached the pinnacle of their craft, including such luminaries as Bill Anderson, Bobby Braddock, Garth Brooks, Felice & Boudleaux Bryant, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Johnny Cash, "Cowboy" Jack Clement, Rodney Crowell, Don & Phil Everly, Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs, Vince Gill, Merle Haggard, Tom T. Hall, Harlan Howard, Alan Jackson, Kris Kristofferson, Dave Loggins, Loretta Lynn, Bob McDill, Roger Miller, Bill Monroe, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, Paul Overstreet, Dolly Parton, Dottie Rambo, Jimmie Rodgers, Fred Rose, Mark D. Sanders, Don Schlitz, Cindy Walker, Jimmy Webb, Marijohn Wilkin, Hank Williams, Hank Williams, Jr. and Bob Wills.

Inductee Biographical Information

East Texas native Will Jennings left a teaching job in 1971 to try his hand at songwriting in Nashville. Soon, after cuts by the Addrisi Brothers, Dobie Gray and Johnny Paycheck, Will celebrated his first #1 song with “Feelins'” by Conway Twitty & Loretta Lynn. Persuaded by a co-writer to move to Los Angeles, Will began a career of crafting lyrics for a string of Pop hits: “Looks Like We Made It” by Barry Manilow, “I’ll Never Love This Way Again” by Dionne Warwick, “Higher Love” by Steve Winwood and “Didn’t We Almost Have It All” by Whitney Houston. In 1982, “Up Where We Belong” by Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes earned an Oscar for Best Song. In 1992, “Tears In Heaven” by Eric Clapton earned a Grammy for Best Song. In 1998, “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion earned an Oscar for Best Song and a Grammy for Best Song. Will has also remained on the Country charts with hits such as “Many A Long And Lonesome Highway” by Rodney Crowell and “Please Remember Me” by Tim McGraw. Will was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York in 2006.

Jeffrey Steele was born in Burbank, Calif., to a musical family. By age 17, he was performing with local groups and playing keyboards at various gigs on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. From 1990-1996, he was the lead singer/bass player for the band Boy Howdy. After the group disbanded, Jeffrey embarked on a career as a solo artist/writer, moving to Nashville in 1994. Soon, his songs had become a staple on the Country chart: “Unbelievable” by Diamond Rio, “The Cowboy In Me” by Tim McGraw, “My Town” by Montgomery Gentry, “These Days” by Rascal Flatts, “Something To Be Proud Of” by Montgomery Gentry, “Brand New Girlfriend” by Steve Holy, “Me And My Gang” and “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts, and “Knee Deep” by the Zac Brown Band w/ Jimmy Buffett. “What Hurts The Most” by Rascal Flatts was BMI’s 2007 Country Song of the Year. Jeffrey was BMI’s Country Songwriter of the Year in 2003 and 2007. He was NSAI Songwriter of the Year in 2003, 2005 and 2006. He earned CMA Triple Play Awards (for three #1 songs in a year) in 2007 and 2010. In an eight-year period, Jeffrey has had more than 500 cuts, with 95 singles and sales of 50 million units.

From the start, Alabama made history in Country music. The band was one of the first “youth appeal” acts and helped Country music gain an increasingly larger share of the entertainment market. Lead singer Randy Owen, with cousins Teddy Gentry (his most frequent song collaborator) and Jeff Cook formed the group in 1969. By 1972, the band was playing professionally and beginning to write songs. With the addition of drummer Mark Herndon, Alabama was signed to RCA on the strength of the Owen/Gentry song “My Home’s In Alabama.” Other Randy Owen songs that comprise the cornerstone of the group’s repertoire include “Tennessee River,” “Mountain Music,” “Lady Down On Love” and “Feels So Right.” All these were solo written, as were landmarks such as “Face To Face” and “Tar Top.” In 1988, Randy’s “Fallin’ Again” was named BMI Country Song of the Year. Other co-written Alabama songs from Randy’s catalogue include “How Do You Fall In Love,” “Pass It On Down” and the band’s classic “Christmas In Dixie.” Randy has earned a dozen BMI awards for his songwriting. Along with the other band members, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005.

Layng Martine, Jr. is a Connecticut native whose first chart-topping song, “Rub It In,” was also Billy “Crash” Craddock’s first #1 song. That song would later become the long-running Glade television jingle “Plug It In.” In addition to #1 Pop singles in England and France, Layng also wrote “I Don’t Want To Be A One Night Stand,” Reba McEntire’s first career single in 1976. In 1977, Layng’s “Way Down” became a gold single for Elvis Presley and was at #1 on the day Elvis died. Other hits from Layng’s catalog include “The Greatest Man I Never Knew” and “I Don’t Think Love Ought To Be That Way” by Reba McEntire, “Should I Do It” by the Pointer Sisters, “I Wanna Go Too Far” by Trisha Yearwood, “Maybe She’s Human” by Kathy Mattea, “I Was Blown Away” by Pam Tillis and “I’m Gonna Love You Anyway” by Christy Lane. A longtime songwriter activist, Layng serves on the NSAI and NaSHOF boards.

Pictured clockwise l-r: Randy Owen, Jeffrey Steele, Will Jennings and Layng Martine, Jr.

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2013 Nominees for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Announced

January 1 2013

Eight songwriters and four artist/songwriters have been nominated for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees will be announced in the coming weeks, prior to the fall induction ceremony. This year’s nominees in the songwriter category are: Don Cook, Marcus Hummon, Mark James, Will Jennings, Dan Penn, John Scott Sherrill, Jeffrey Steele and Rafe Van Hoy. The nominees in the songwriter / artist category are: David Bellamy (The Bellamy Brothers), Ronnie Dunn (Brooks & Dunn), Toby Keith and Randy Owen (Alabama).

Category 1 – Songwriters

DON COOK

Don Kirby Cook was born in San Antonio, Texas. He was writing songs by age 12, recording his first demo by age 14 and playing various Houston coffeehouses throughout his teenage years. Three days after his graduation from the University of Texas, Don arrived in Nashville. He soon met publisher Don Gant, who signed him to a deal at Acuff-Rose Publishing. When Gant moved to Tree Publishing, Don followed. In his first year at Tree he had 11 cuts including “Cryin’ Again” a Top 3 for The Oak Ridge Boys and Don's first #1 as a songwriter, “Lady Lay Down” by John Conlee. Other hits followed in the ’80s, including “Julia” by Conway Twitty, “I Wish That I Could Hurt That Way Again” by T. Graham Brown, “Small Town Girl” by Steve Wariner and “Somebody’s Gonna Love You” by Lee Greenwood. In the early ’90s, Don co-wrote “Brand New Man,” the first single for Brooks & Dunn, and began to produce the duo, a collaboration that yielded the co-written #1 hits “My Next Broken Heart,” “Only In America” and “You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone,” among others.

MARCUS HUMMON

Washington, D.C.-born Marcus Hummon has enjoyed a successful career as a songwriter, recording artist, producer, studio musician, playwright and author. A diplomat’s son, Marcus spent his youth in Africa and Italy. After several years playing in various bands, he found his way to Nashville. As a songwriter, Marcus has co-written hits such as “Cowboy Take Me Away” and “Ready To Run” by The Dixie Chicks, “Born To Fly” by Sara Evans, “One Of These Days” by Tim McGraw, “Only Love” by Wynonna, “The Cheap Seats” by Alabama and “Love Is The Right Place” by Bryan White. “Bless The Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts earned Marcus a 2005 Grammy for Best Country Song, as well as NSAI Song of the Year. A 2007 version by Selah w/ Melodie Crittenden, was a Top 5 Christian song and earned NSAI’s 2007 NSAI Song of the Year. Also an accomplished composer/playwright, Marcus has staged productions at the New York New Musical festival (The Warrior in 2005, The Piper in 2006) and the prestigious Eugene O’Neill Summer Workshop (The Warrior in 2005, American Duet in 2006), among others.

MARK JAMES

Mark James grew up in Houston, Texas, along with B.J. Thomas, who was the first to make his songs hits. By the late 1960s, Mark was signed as a staff songwriter to Memphis producer Chips Moman’s publishing company. Moman produced Thomas’ versions of “The Eyes Of A New York Woman” and “Hooked On A Feeling” in 1968-69, and these became Mark’s debut songwriting successes. He issued his own version of “Suspicious Minds” (also produced by Moman) on Scepter Records in 1968 before Elvis Presley made it a smash the following year using the same arrangement. These songs, as well as hits such as “Sunday Sunrise” (Brenda Lee) and “Moody Blue” (Elvis Presley) were all created by Mark as a solo writer. Mark also co-wrote the hits “It’s Only Love” (B.J. Thomas) and “One Hell Of A Woman” (Mac Davis). Mark’s biggest hit came via Willie Nelson’s 1982 recording of “Always On My Mind.” A collaboration with fellow Memphians Johnny Christopher and Wayne Carson, that song – named 1982 Song of the Year for NSAI, the ACM and the CMA – earned the writers a pair of Grammys for Best Country Song and for Best Song.

WILL JENNINGS

East Texas native Will Jennings is a sometime Nashvillian whose songs have always been published on Music Row. In 1971, he left a teaching job to try his hand at songwriting in Nashville. Soon, after cuts by the Addrisi Brothers, Dobie Gray and Johnny Paycheck, Will celebrated his first #1 song with “Feelin’s” by Conway Twitty & Loretta Lynn. Persuaded by a co-writer to move to Los Angeles, Will began a career of crafting lyrics for a string of Pop hits: “Looks Like We Made It” by Barry Manilow, “I'll Never Love This Way Again” by Dionne Warwick, “Higher Love” by Steve Winwood and “Didn't We Almost Have It All” by Whitney Houston. In 1982, “Up Where We Belong” by Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes earned an Oscar for Best Song. In 1992, “Tears In Heaven” by Eric Clapton earned a Grammy for Best Song. In 1998, “My Heart Will Go On”by Celine Dion earned an Oscar for Best Song and a Grammy for Best Song. Will has also remained on the Country charts with hits such as “Many A Long And Lonesome Highway” by Rodney Crowell and “Please Remember Me” by Tim McGraw. Will was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York in 2006.

DAN PENN

As a young songwriter, Vernon, Ala., native Dan Penn tasted success in 1960 when Conway Twitty released his “Is A Bluebird Blue” as a single. In 1966, after several years in the Muscle Shoals, Ala., music scene, Dan moved to Memphis, where he formed a songwriting partnership with keyboardist Dewey Lyndon “Spooner” Oldham, who also had started off in Muscle Shoals. Together, the duo created many often-recorded R&B and Pop hits such as “I’m Your Puppet” (James & Bobby Purify), “It Tears Me Up” (Percy Sledge), “Cry Like A Baby” (the Box Tops), “Sweet Inspiration” (the Sweet Inspirations), “Out Of Left Field” (Percy Sledge), “Take Me (Just As I Am)” (Solomon Burke) and “Up Tight, Good Man” (Laura Lee). Outside the duo, Dan’s catalog includes songs such as “Do Right Woman - Do Right Man” (an R&B hit for Aretha Franklin) and the classic “The Dark End Of The Street” (an R&B hit for James Carr and a Country hit for Archie Campbell & Lorene Mann). Dan is a member of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame’s “Achievers” section.

JOHN SCOTT SHERRILL

John Scott Sherrill was born in New York City but grew up north of the metropolis in Mount Kisko, N.Y. Dropping out of college, he became a Folk singer in Boston, then a performer in a hippie band that played northeastern colleges. In 1975, he decided to travel to California, stopping in Nashville en route. When his van broke down in Music City, he stayed. He scored his first hit when Johnny Lee released “When You Fall In Love” in 1982. Working with a variety of collaborators, Sherrill has seldom been off the charts since. Among his BMI-award winning songs are “Wild And Blue” (John Anderson), “Some Fools Never Learn” (Steve Wariner), “That Rock Won’t Roll” (Restless Heart), “(Do You Love Me) Just Say Yes” (Highway 101), “The Church On Cumberland Road” (Shenandoah) and “No Man’s Land” (John Michael Montgomery). His “Nothin’ But The Wheel” has been recorded by Country’s Patty Loveless, the Bluegrass band Special Consensus and the Rock duo of Peter Wolf & Mick Jagger. In the late 1980s, Sherrill was a member of the Country group Billy Hill. Among his most recent successes are “How Long Gone” (Brooks & Dunn) and “Would You Go With Me” (Josh Turner).

JEFFREY STEELE

Jeffrey Steele was born in Burbank, Calif., to a musical family. By age 17, he was performing with local groups, and playing keyboards at various gigs on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. From 1990-1996, he was the lead singer/bass player for the band Boy Howdy. After the group disbanded, Jeffrey embarked on a career as a solo artist/writer, moving to Nashville in 1994. Soon, his songs had become a staple on the Country chart: “Unbelievable” by Diamond Rio, “The Cowboy In Me” by Tim McGraw, “My Town” by Montgomery Gentry, “These Days” by Rascal Flatts, “Something To Be Proud Of”by Montgomery Gentry, “Brand New Girlfriend” by Steve Holy, “Me And My Gang” by Rascal Flatts, “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts and “Knee Deep” by the Zac Brown Band w/ Jimmy Buffett. “What Hurts The Most” by Rascal Flatts was BMI’s 2007 Country Song of the Year. Jeffrey was BMI’s Country Songwriter of the Year in 2003 and 2007. He was NSAI Songwriter of the Year in 2003, 2005 and 2006. He earned CMA Triple Play Awards (for three #1 songs in a year) in 2007 and 2010. In an 8-year period, Jeffrey has had more than 500 cuts, with 95 singles and sales of 50 million units.

RAFE VAN HOY

Rafe Van Hoy was raised in Bristol, Tenn., where his postman father encouraged him to write songs from an early age. Upon high-school graduation in 1972, Rafe and his family moved to Nashville so that he could pursue a musical career. Curly Putman signed the teenager to Green Grass Music, which led to a songwriting contract with Tree International. Following his first major success in 1976 (“Golden Ring” by George Jones & Tammy Wynette), Rafe had 50 to 60 cuts a year for the next three years. Rafe’s song catalogue includes “Baby I Lied” (Deborah Allen), “Can I See You Tonight” (Tanya Tucker), “Friday Night Blues” (John Conlee), “Hurt Me Bad (In A Real Good Way)” (Patty Loveless), “I Wish That I Could Hurt That Way Again” (T. Graham Brown), “I’m Only In It For The Love” (John Conlee), “Let’s Stop Talkin’ About It” (Janie Fricke), “Old Flames Have New Names” (Mark Chesnutt), “Somebody’s Gonna Love You” (Lee Greenwood) and “What’s Forever For” (Michael Martin Murphey). To date, Rafe has 10 million-airplay songs, three two-million airplay songs and more than a dozen Top-10 hits.

Category 2 – Songwriter/Artists

DAVID BELLAMY (THE BELLAMY BROTHERS)

David Bellamy and his singing partner/brother, Howard, are natives of Darby, Fla. Their father was a Country musician, and they followed in his footsteps. David first tasted songwriting success in 1974 when Jim Stafford made a major hit of his “Spiders And Snakes.” The Bellamys got a recording contract the following year and burst upon the scene in 1976 with “Let Your Love Flow” (one of the few Bellamy songs David did not write); however, as the duo moved into Country music late in the decade, David began to provide the team with a steady stream of hits, topping the charts with “If I Said You Have A Beautiful Body,”“Sugar Daddy,” “Dancin’ Cowboys,” “For All The Wrong Reasons,” “Redneck Girl,” “I Need More Of You,” “Old Hippie” and “Kids Of The Baby Boom” — all written solo by David. Over the years, he has also written or co-written songs sung by Carl Perkins, Clint Black, Rod Stewart, Blake Shelton, Frankie Miller, Alan Jackson, Dolly Parton and others. To date, more than 35 David Bellamy songs have been placed on the Country charts.

RONNIE DUNN

Ronnie Dunn was born in Texas, but Tulsa, Okla., became his hometown. He began playing guitar and performing in Country bands when he was in his teens. After winning the Marlboro Talent Search, Arista Records expressed interest in him. The label teamed him with singer-songwriter Kix Brooks, and the two worked as Brooks & Dunn from 1991-2011. The mega-duo sold millions of records and was named CMA Vocal Duo 14 times. The Brooks & Dunn hits “Neon Moon,” “Hard Workin’ Man,” “She Used To Be Mine,” “She’s Not The Cheatin’ Kind” and “Little Miss Honky Tonk” were all written solo by Ronnie, as was “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” which was named ACM Song of the Year in 1992. Ronnie was BMI’s Country Songwriter of the Year in 1996 and 1998. Co-written Brooks & Dunn hits includesongs such as “Brand New Man,” “My Next Broken Heart” and “Believe,” which was the CMA and ACM Song of the Year in 2006. His songs have also been recorded by Reba McEntire, Shenandoah, Jennifer Hudson, Jerry Audley and Asleep At The Wheel. In 2011, Ronnie resumed his solo career as a singer-songwriter with “Cost Of Livin’.” Ronnie was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in 2003.

TOBY KEITH

Oklahoma native Toby Keith received his first guitar at age eight. After high-school graduation, he worked in the oil fields by day and played with his band at night. In the early ’90s, one of his demo tapes found its way to producer Harold Shedd, who signed him to a deal with Mercury Records. In 1993, Toby’s solo-written debut single, “Should’ve Been A Cowboy,” reached #1 on the Country chart. To date, he has placed some 50 compositions on the Country charts as an artist, including “You Ain't Much Fun,“How Do You Like Me Now?!,”“You Shouldn’t Kiss Me Like This,” “Beer For My Horses,” “I Love This Bar,” “American Soldier,” “A Little Too Late” and “God Love Her.” “As Good As I Once Was” was BMI’s 2006 Country Song of the Year. Among his many awards, he was BMI’s 2001 Songwriter of the Year, 2004 Writer/Artist of the Year and 2006 Songwriter of the Year. He was NSAI’s 2003, 2004, 2006 Songwriter/Artist of the Year. NSAI’s Songwriter/Artist of the Decade (2000-2009), Toby was recently honored with the 2013 Songwriter Icon award by the National Music Publishers Association.

RANDY OWEN (ALABAMA)

Alabama made history as the first modern star band in Country music. It was one of the first “youth appeal” acts and helped Country music gain an increasingly large share of the entertainment market. Lead singer Randy Owen, with cousins Teddy Gentry (his most frequent song collaborator) and Jeff Cook formed the group in 1969. By 1972, the band was playing professionally and beginning to write songs. With the addition of drummer Mark Herndon, the band was signed to RCA on the strength of the Owen/Gentry song “My Home’s In Alabama.” Other Randy Owen songs that comprised the cornerstone of the group’s repertoire include “Tennessee River,” “Mountain Music” and “Feels So Right.” All these were solo written, as were such landmarks as “Face To Face” and “Tar Top.” In 1988, Randy’s “Fallin’ Again” was named BMI Country Song of the Year. Randy has earned a dozen BMI awards for his songwriting. Along with the other band members, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005.

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Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (13)

NaSHOF Sees 15,000 Visitors On First Day As Music City Center Opens Its Doors to the Public

May 20 2013

It was an emotional and momentous grand opening day on May 19th for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gallery as an estimated 15,000 people visited the newly opened Music City Center, now home to the exhibit that celebrates Nashville songwriters. Forty years after a small group of songwriters conceived of having a space where people could actually see a Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame exhibit is now a reality.

“It’s a big day for the Nashville songwriting community,” said Pat Alger, Hall of Fame member and chair of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation. “It took a lot of devoted volunteers a long time to get this done, but after seeing the Hall of Fame Gallery with people standing around it, appreciating the work and using the touch screen displays to learn about the writers behind the songs, I’d say it was well worth it.”

During the May 19th grand opening event, several Hall of Fame members, including Alger ("Small Town Saturday Night" & “Unanswered Prayers"), were on hand to talk with the visitors, as well as perform a few of their biggest song hits. The Hall of Famers participating were Bill Anderson ("The Tips Of My Fingers & "Whiskey Lullaby"), Rory Bourke ("I Know A Heartache When I See One" & "Shadows In The Moonlight"), Bobby Braddock ("He Stopped Loving Her Today" & "I Want To Talk About Me"), Sonny Curtis ("I'm No Stranger To The Rain" & "I Fought The Law (And The Law Won)"), Larry Henley (“Wind Beneath My Wings” & ‘Til I Get It Right”), Don Schlitz ("The Gambler" & "Forever And Ever Amen") and Thom Schuyler ("16th Avenue" & "Love Will Turn You Around").

The Hall of Fame Gallery is located in the Music City Center lobby adjacent to Sixth Avenue and facing Demonbreun Street. It features songwriting artifacts as well as three 55” touch screens that will allow visitors to access sound, video and other digital information about the history of Nashville-associated songwriting and the 188 current members of the Hall of Fame. The names of Hall of Fame members, who come from every genre of music, are engraved in a special outdoor Songwriters Square at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Demonbreun, and on the stone steps leading from Fifth Avenue up to the interior display.

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation is a non-profit organization that celebrates and archives the contributions made by its members, as well as educates the public about those contributions. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation has a long-term agreement with the Convention Center Authority of Nashville and Davidson County to manage and maintain the Hall of Fame Gallery and Songwriters Square.

About the Music City Center

The Music City Center, Nashville’s new convention center, will feature 1.2 million square feet total, a 350,000 square foot exhibit hall, a 57,000 square foot ballroom and parking for 1,800 cars, while achieving LEED Silver certification. It is designed to be a gathering spot for residents and the hundreds of thousands of visitors seeing Nashville for the first time, just steps from the Ryman Auditorium and the Broadway honky tonks, the musical venues that have launched thousands of careers and help generate the city’s nickname. The Music City Center sits on a 19-acre site in downtown Nashville.

About the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame

To the world, Nashville is synonymous with music and songwriting. Songwriters in particular have found a nurturing home in this culturally rich, diverse and growing city. To acknowledge and celebrate those who create the songs, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame was established in 1970, and currently boasts 188 members. Each year, four additional writers are inducted into the elite Hall of Fame, which claims members from all genres of music, underscoring Nashville's musical diversity in the songwriting world. For most of its 42 years, the Hall of Fame has been a virtual one. Now with the opening of the new, state of the art Music City Center, The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame finally becomes a physical reality. The Hall of Fame is funded and managed by the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation, dedicated to the mission of educating, archiving and celebrating the songwriting community that is uniquely associated with Nashville.

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame includes such songwriting luminaries as Bobby Braddock, Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Rodney Crowell, Hal David, Don & Phil Everly, Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs, Vince Gill, Harlan Howard, Alan Jackson, Bob McDill, Roger Miller, Bill Monroe, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Carl Perkins, Dottie Rambo, Jimmie Rodgers, Don Schlitz, Cindy Walker, Jimmy Webb, Hank Williams, Sr. and Hank Williams, Jr. More information is available at: http://www.nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com/.

Photo Caption

Several members of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame were on hand for the grand opening of the gallery. Pictured (l-r) are: Mark D. Sanders, Gary Burr, Pat Alger, Kenny O'Dell, Sonny Curtis, Rory Bourke and Larry Henley.

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Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (14)

Grand Opening of the Music City Center and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame May 19 - 20 in Nas

May 5 2013

Music City Center festivities include the grand opening of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and several members of the Hall of Fame will make appearances during festivities on Sunday. Songwriters will greet visitors from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame located on the main floor near the corner of Sixth Avenue and Demonbreun Street.

Among the members of the Songwriters Hall of Fame who plan to make appearances are Bill Anderson (“The Tips Of My Fingers” and “Whiskey Lullaby”), Sonny Curtis (“I'm No Stranger To The Rain” and “I Fought the Law (and the Law Won)”), Bobby Braddock (“He Stopped Loving Her Today” and “I Want to Talk About Me”), Rory Bourke (“I Know a Heartache When I See One” and “Shadows in the Moonlight”),Thom Schuyler (“16th Avenue” and “Love Will Turn You Around”), Pat Alger (“Small Town Saturday Night” and “Unanswered Prayers”) and Don Schlitz (“The Gambler” and “Forever and Ever Amen”).

“The grand opening festivities are a perfect opportunity for everyone to meet several of our Hall of Fame members who have written some of the biggest and most popular songs of the last several decades,” said Pat Alger, a Hall of Fame member and chairperson of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation. “We will be on hand to sing a couple of our hits and say hello to the fans that helped make them famous. The songwriting community here helps make Nashville a unique international music center, and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame is proud to have its new home in the Music City Center.”

Mayor Dean invites all Nashvillians to be a part of this special weekend in our city’s history. All activities are free and open to the public.

Music City Center Grand Opening, May 19-20, Schedule of Events:

Sunday, May 19

1:30 p.m.: Walk with the Mayor, starting at Walk of Fame Park and ending at the entrance of Music City Center at Fifth and Demonbreun, where Mayor Karl Dean will lead walkers into Music City Center.

2 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Public Preview Tours and Open House

•Live music throughout the building, featuring the Grammy-winning Nashville Symphony at 3 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom and Songwriters Hall of Fame from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

•Family-friendly activities in the Exhibit Hall, including a zip line

•Light refreshments

3 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Live Music on the Plaza featuring Phil Vassar and 10 Out of Tenn

Monday, May 20

9 a.m.: Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony with Mayor Karl Dean, Fifth and Demonbreun

10 a.m.: State of Metro, Grand Lobby outside the Exhibit Hall, Level 3

5 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Public Open House

6 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Grand Opening Concert featuring Sheryl Crow; The Time Jumpers featuring Vince Gill; the Fisk Jubilee Singers; and Mikky Ekko

“I invite all Nashvillians to be a part of this special weekend in our city’s history,” Mayor Dean said. “I’m especially pleased that the Nashville Symphony and the Songwriters Hall of Fame will be a part of the festivities. The diversity of music they represent is at the very heart of who we are as Music City and is a key reason we are so attractive to the visitor and convention industry.”

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ole Presents Check to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation

April 5 2013

Board members from the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation (NaSHOF) were recently gifted with a $50,000 contribution from ole to benefit the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame exhibit. It has been 40 years in the making but the Songwriters Hall of Fame will finally have a physical home in the new Music City Center. Both open their respective doors in mid May of this year. Said Hall of Fame Foundation chair Pat Alger, "ole Music Publishing, the Majorly Indie, came through in a major way for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame capital campaign with a $50,000 contribution. Robert Ott, Lou Ragagnin and Gilles Godard believe that being a part of the Nashville community means supporting worthy ideas that celebrate the unique contributions of our artists and songwriters. We are proud to have them as the only independent publisher on our wall of benefactors."

Pictured (l-r) are: NaSHOF treasurer Mike Dye; ole CEO Robert Ott, NaSHOF vice chair Ken Paulson, Alger, ole COO Lou Ragagnin and ole CCO Gilles Godard.

Photo Credit: Steve Lowry

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The CMA Foundation Donates $250,000 to Help Construct the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame at the

January 31 2013

The CMA Foundation is donating $250,000 to help construct the first-ever physical Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame at the new Music City Center. The announcement was made today by CMA Board Chairman and member of The CMA Foundation Troy Tomlinson during the annual CMA Triple Play Awards and Songwriters Luncheon at Marathon Music Works in Nashville.

“Songwriters are an important constituency group for the Country Music Association,” said Tomlinson. “For the CMA Foundation to see fit to honor the songwriters in order to preserve the legacy of their work and creative impact on the format, speaks to the very heart of why the CMA Foundation was created.”

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame consists of two elements. The actual Hall of Fame inside the Music City Center will feature graphic displays and artifacts as well as a state-of-the-art interactive, digital exhibit. Outside the Music City Center’s Hall of Fame lobby will be a “Songwriters Square” complex, consisting of an exterior plaza and stair-step walkway that will be engraved with the names of Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame members, the year they were inducted, and the title of their most well-known composition. The project will be unveiled when the Music City Center officially opens this summer.

“Honoring the accomplishments of our songwriting community is important to CMA,” said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “The CMA Foundation’s decision to fund this important initiative is just another example of our commitment to preserving the legacy and recognizing excellence in our songwriter community.”

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame was established in 1970 and boasts 188 members representing all genres of music. For 42 years, the Hall of Fame has been a virtual one, until the announcement that it would occupy space in the Music City Center. Members include Bobby Braddock, Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Rodney Crowell, Hal David, CMA Board member Bob DiPiero, Bob Dylan, Don and Phil Everly, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, Vince Gill, Harlan Howard, Alan Jackson, Bob McDill, Roger Miller, Bill Monroe, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Carl Perkins, Dottie Rambo, Jimmie Rodgers, Don Schlitz, Cindy Walker, Jimmy Webb, Hank Williams Sr., and Hank Williams, Jr.

“As a past songwriter member of the CMA Board, it is so inspiring to have the CMA Foundation help honor the songwriters whose timeless songs are the bedrock of our Country Music industry,” said Pat Alger, a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and Chair of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation Board. “The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation is truly grateful for this generous contribution – it exemplifies the CMA Foundation’s commitment to enriching the heritage of all of its members.”

“We are truly overwhelmed at this lead gift from the CMA Foundation as the ultimate show of respect and admiration for songwriters,” said John Van Mol, 2011-12 Chairman of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation Board and CEO of DVL Public Relations & Advertising. “It is a big and important exclamation point as we continue to work on securing long-term operating funds so this Hall of Fame can be enjoyed for generations to come.”

“This is a wonderful opportunity for us to outreach to this important constituent group and demonstrate our appreciation for the outstanding talent and undeniable contributions made by our songwriters to the popularity and vitality of Country Music,” said Kitty Moon Emery, Chair of The CMA Foundation Board of Directors.

CMA created The CMA Foundation (a nonprofit 501c3) in 2011. The Foundation exists to provide financial support to worthwhile causes that are important to CMA and the Country Music community. The group places special emphasis on serving the needs of CMA’s core constituents and nonprofit organizations with initiatives that preserve the legacy of the format, support music education, and respond to other needs identified by CMA.

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Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation Elects New Board Members and 2013 Officers

January 11 2013

Nashville, TN January 11, 2013 -- The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation (NaSHOF) has elected Pat Alger as its new chair and Ken Paulson its new vice-chair. Layng Martine, Jr and Mike Dye remain the board’s secretary and treasurer, respectively. The announcement was made today by the organization’s outgoing chair, John Van Mol. For the complete list of board members, see below.

“After years of hard work by so many former and current board members and through the generosity of numerous friends and music industry leaders, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame will at last become a physical reality,” said Alger. “At this exciting time, it is a tremendous honor to be elected Chair of this all-volunteer board, made up of these great songwriters and dynamic business leaders. There is still a lot of work to do and money left to raise, but what an incredible team we have in place to do it.”

Board of DirectorsPat Alger: Songwriter, Hall of Fame memberSteve Bogard: Songwriter, Director of the Copyright ForumMike Dye: CEO of Mercury Supply CompanyKye Fleming: Songwriter, Hall of Fame MemberRich Hallworth: CEO of CorizonWayland Holyfield: Songwriter, Hall of Fame MemberDavid L. Maddox: Assistant Professor of Music Business, Belmont UniversityLayng Martine, Jr: SongwriterRobert K. Oermann: Nashville entertainment journalist, music critic, author and historianKen Paulson: President and CEO of the First Amendment CenterDr. Bo Thomas: Vice-President for University Advancement, Belmont UniversityTroy Tomlinson: President and CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing NashvilleMike Vaden: Director of Decosimo/VadenJohn Van Mol: CEO of DVL Public Relations & Advertising

About the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation

To the world, Nashville is synonymous with music and songwriting because each art is crafted and perfected in the town known as Music City. Songwriters in particular have found a nurturing home in this culturally rich, diverse and growing city. To acknowledge and celebrate those who create the songs, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame was established in 1970, and currently boasts 188 members. Annually, at a joint dinner with the Nashville Songwriters Association International, four additional writers are inducted into the elite Hall of Fame, which claims members from all genres of music, underscoring Nashville's musical diversity in the songwriting world. For 42 years, the Hall of Fame has been a virtual one, until the announcement that it would occupy an actual space in the new, state-of-the-art Music City Center, scheduled to open summer of 2013. In addition to funding and operating the Hall of Fame, the broader mission of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation is to educate, archive and celebrate the songwriters that are uniquely associated with the Nashville music community. Plans include an expanded digital museum on its website and an educational partnership with the Belmont University Songwriting Program at its Music Row location, adjacent to the historic Quonset Hut in the shared space donated by Mike Curb.

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame includes such songwriting luminaries as Bobby Braddock, Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Rodney Crowell, Hal David, Bob Dylan, Don & Phil Everly, Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs, Vince Gill, Harlan Howard, Alan Jackson, Bob McDill, Roger Miller, Bill Monroe, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Carl Perkins, Dottie Rambo, Jimmie Rodgers, Don Schlitz, Cindy Walker, Jimmy Webb, Hank Williams, Sr. and Hank Williams, Jr. More information is available at http://www.nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com/.

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NaSHOF Members among 2013 Songwriters Hall of Fame Nominees

October 12 2012

October 12, 2012 Nashville, TN…Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer members Bobby Braddock, Vince Gill, Randy Goodrum, and Bob McDill have been nominated for induction into the 2013 Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York City.

Also up for the 2013 election in the performance category is NaSHOF member, Jimmy Buffet.

Established in 1969, the Songwriters Hall of Fame honors those whose work represents a spectrum of the most beloved songs from the world’s popular music songbook.

The 44th Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Dinner will take place June 13, 2013 at the New York City Marquee.

About the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation

Established in 1970, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit foundation dedicated to honoring and preserving the songwriting legacy uniquely associated with the Nashville music community. The Hall boasts 184 members, including songwriting luminaries such as Bill Anderson, Bobby Braddock, Garth Brooks , Felice & Boudleaux Bryant, Johnny Cash, Vince Gill, Tom T. Hall, Harlan Howard, Alan Jackson, Kris Kristofferson, Loretta Lynn, Bob McDill, Roger Miller, Bill Monroe, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Dottie Rambo, Don Schlitz, Cindy Walker, Marijohn Wilkin, Hank Williams Sr. and Hank Williams Jr.

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NaSHOF Inducts Tony Arata, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Larry Henly, Kim Williams

October 8 2012

Presented by AT&T, the event celebrated the musical contributions of the newest inductees through star-studded performances of some of their biggest hits.

“It was an evening worthy of these great songwriters and the contributions they have made to put the music in Music City,” said John Van Mol, Chairman of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation. “The evening also capped a week of major news for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. We announced last week that the Hall of Fame will soon have a physical home in the brand new Music City Center, where people will be able to see, hear and learn about the contributions and work of Nashville’s best songwriters.”

Van Mol added that the Songwriters Hall of Fame will open when the new Music City Center opens in the spring of 2013 and that Sunday’s inductees will be a part of the new exhibit along with the 184 celebrated songwriters who preceded them into the Hall of Fame. Additionally, Van Mol announced the official launch of a capital campaign to ensure the continued funding of the exhibit. Early contributions from Foundation Board members, ASCAP, BMI, SESAC and music publishers Sony/ATV, Universal and Warner Chappell, among other music industry leaders, have already laid the groundwork for construction to begin at the Music City Center. More support is being solicited from donors both inside and outside the music industry to assure the exhibit’s completion and long-term success.

Larry Henley was the first of this year’s inductees to be honored and was inducted by Richard Leigh, another Hall of Fame member. Bekka Bramlett and Billy Burnette performed a medley of the Henley songs “Til I Get It Right,” “Is It Still Over,” “Lizzie And The Rainman” and “He's A Heartache.” Country artist Trisha Yearwood closed out the set with "The Wind Beneath My Wings."

Superstar Garth Brooks then took the stage to welcome his friend and co-writer Kim Williams into the elite organization. In a one man tour de force, Brooks performed a medley of Williams’ songs that included “Papa Loved Mama,” “New Way To Fly” and “Three Wooden Crosses." Brooks was himself inducted into the Hall of Fame last year.

Next up, hit recording artist and songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter was inducted by Hall of Fame songwriter Don Schlitz. Marc Cohn took the stage to perform “The Hard Way” and was followed by Yearwood, who sang “He Thinks He’ll Keep Her.”The final inductee of the evening was Tony Arata, who was welcomed by Hall of Fame songwriter Pat Alger. Songwriter friends Fred Knobloch, Jelly Roll Johnson and Pete Wasner performed a medley of the Arata compositions “Here I Am,” "Holding My Own” "The Change” and "I Used To Worry." Garth Brooks took the stage once more and closed the evening with “The Dance."

In a special tribute alongside the hall of fame inductions, Kix Brooks, Don Cook and Paul Worley announced that the 2012 recipient of the Frances Williams Preston Mentor Award was the late Donna Hilley, former president and chief executive officer of Sony/ATV Nashville. Accepting on behalf of Ms. Hilley were her daughters Vickie Arney, Debbie Tenpenny and Whitney Stewart.

In addition to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductions, NaSHOF's sister organization, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), presented its annual Songwriter Achievement Awards.

The organization's professional songwriter members voted "I Will Always Love You" by Dolly Parton as their Song of the Year. The song was a mainstay at radio this year following the untimely death of superstar Whitney Houston in February.

The Songwriter/Artist of the Year was presented for the fifth time in six years to Taylor Swift, who scored self-penned hits of her own, such as “Sparks Fly,” “Ours,” “If This Was A Movie,” “The Story Of Us,” “Superman,” “Safe And Sound” and “Eyes Open.”The Songwriter of the Year prize went to Dallas Davidson, co-writer of hits such as “We Owned The Night” and “Just A Kiss” by Lady Antebellum, “I Don't Want This Night To End” and “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” by Luke Bryan, “If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away” by Justin Moore, “Where I Come From” by Montgomery Gentry, “This Ole Boy” by Craig Morgan, “Take It Off” by Joe Nichols and “A Buncha Girls” by Frankie Ballard.Besides honoring the Song, Songwriter and Songwriter/Artist, the writers of NSAI's Professional Songwriters Division also singled out 10 songs and their writers for the organization's 2012 awards, informally dubbed "The Songs I Wish I'd Written." Recipients were: “A Woman Like You” (Phil Barton, Johnny Bulford, Jon Stone / recorded by Lee Brice), “Better Than I Used To Be” (Ashley Gorley, Bryan Simpson / recorded by Tim McGraw), “Cost Of Livin'” (Phillip Coleman, Ronnie Dunn / recorded by Ronnie Dunn), “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” (Will Hoge, Eric Paslay / recorded by the Eli Young Band), “Fly Over States” (Michael Dulaney, Neil Thrasher / recorded by Jason Aldean), “I Will Always Love You” (Dolly Parton / recorded by Whitney Houston), “Just Fishin'” (Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell, Ed Hill / recorded by Trace Adkins), “Red Solo Cup” (Brett Beavers, Jim Beavers, Brad Warren, Brett Warren / recorded by Toby Keith), “Springsteen” (Eric Church, Jeff Hyde, Ryan Tyndell / recorded by Eric Church) and “You And Tequila” (Matraca Berg, Deana Carter / recorded by Kenny Chesney w/ Grace Potter).

PHOTO ID (l-r): John Van Mol, chairman of the board, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation; Gregg Morton, President of AT&T of Tennessee and inductees Tony Arata, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Larry Henley and Kim Williams.

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Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (18)

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Established in Music City Center

October 4 2012

(NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Mayor Karl Dean joined Hall of Fame songwriters Wayland Holyfield, Pat Alger and Kye Fleming today, along with officials from the Music City Center, to announce the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame will be permanently housed in the new convention center.

The Hall of Fame will be located in the lobby adjacent to Sixth Avenue and facing Demonbreun Street, and will feature songwriting artifacts as well as three 55” touch screens that will allow visitors to access sound, video and other digital information about the history of Nashville-connected songwriting and all 184 members of the Hall of Fame. The names of Hall of Fame members, who come from every genre of music, will be engraved in a special outdoor Songwriters Square at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Demonbreun, and on the stone steps leading from Fifth Avenue up to the interior display.

“The music industry is a vital part of Nashville’s unique culture, and songwriters are often the ‘unsung heroes’ of the business,” Mayor Dean said. “This location at the Music City Center is a fitting space to honor songwriters and their creativity, and it gives both local residents and visitors from out of town yet another reason to stop by our new convention center.”

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation is a non-profit organization that celebrates and archives the contributions made by its members, as well as educating the public about those contributions. The Hall of Fame has a long-term agreement with the Convention Center Authority of Nashville and Davidson County that requires the Hall of Fame Foundation to be responsible for the cost of design, construction, installation, upkeep, repair and maintenance of its exhibit and related premises.

“For the first time in the long history of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, we have the opportunity to have a ‘place’ for the Hall to be, where Hall of Famers, friends and fans can see, hear, and learn about the men and women who have literally put the music in Music City,” said John Van Mol, chairman of the Foundation’s board of directors. “’It all begins with a song’ is a basic truth of the Nashville music industry, and now millions of visitors and millions more around the world will learn about songs and songwriting through the new website that will accompany the Hall.”

The Hall of Fame Foundation will launch a capital campaign October 7 at its annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony. Van Mol said early contributions from Foundation Board members, ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and leading Nashville publishing companies Sony/ATV, Warner Chappell and Universal among other music industry leaders, have already laid the groundwork for construction at the Music City Center. The organization is looking for further support from donors both inside and outside the music industry.

The Convention Center Authority issued a Request for Proposals for a permanent lobby exhibit in early July, and the Hall of Fame Foundation selected Tuck-Hinton Architects as designer for its entry. Applicants were evaluated on criteria including design complementary to Music City Center architecture and interior design, exhibit operating and maintenance plan, organization capacity to complete work in a timely manner, and participation by small or service disabled veteran businesses.

“We are truly excited this partnership has worked out so well,” said Marty Dickens, chair of the Convention Center Authority. “This is the latest addition to what is becoming an ever more exciting corridor of our city, with the Music City Center, the Omni Nashville Hotel, and the Country Music Hall of Fame.”

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame is expected to be complete and open for visitors when the Music City Center opens in the spring of 2013.

About the Music City Center

The Music City Center, Nashville’s new convention center will feature 1.2 million square feet total, a 350,000 square foot exhibit hall, a 57,000 square foot ballroom, and parking for 1,800 cars, while achieving LEED Silver certification. It is designed to be a gathering spot for residents and the hundreds of thousands of visitors seeing Nashville for the first time, just steps from the Ryman Auditorium and the Broadway honky tonks, the musical venues that have launched thousands of careers and help generate the city’s nickname. The Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County voted to approve the construction project in January 2010. The Music City Center is now under construction on a 19-acre site downtown.

(strong>About the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame

To the world, Nashville is synonymous with music and songwriting. Each are arts crafted and perfected in the town known as Music City. Songwriting and songwriters in particular have found a nurturing home in this culturally rich, diverse and growing city. To acknowledge and celebrate those who create the songs, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame was established in 1970, and currently boasts 184 members. Each year, additional writers are inducted into the elite Hall of Fame, which claims members from all genres of music, underscoring Nashville's musical diversity in the songwriting world. For 42 years, the Hall of Fame has been a virtual one, until the announcement that it would, indeed, become a physical reality and housed in the new, state of the art Music City Center. The Hall of Fame will be funded and operated by the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation, which has principal purposes to educate, archive and celebrate songwriting that is uniquely associated with the Nashville music community.

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame includes such songwriting luminaries as Bobby Braddock, Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Rodney Crowell, Hal David, Bob Dylan, Don & Phil Everly, Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs, Vince Gill, Harlan Howard, Alan Jackson, Bob McDill, Roger Miller, Bill Monroe, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Carl Perkins, Dottie Rambo, Jimmie Rodgers, Don Schlitz, Cindy Walker, Jimmy Webb, Hank Williams, Sr. and Hank Williams, Jr. More information is available at http://www.nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com/.

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Donna Hilley Is Recipient of the Frances Williams Preston Mentor Award

September 10 2012

The late Donna Hilley, a groundbreaking executive in the music publishing business, is the recipient of the 2012 Frances Williams Preston Mentor Award, it was announced today by the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation. The honor will be acknowledged at the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction ceremony on October 7, 2012.

Hilley, who as chief operating officer of Tree International negotiated its purchase by Sony, later became president and chief executive officer of Sony/ATV Nashville, where she worked for more than 30 years.

“Donna was a truly amazing woman who rose from typist at a radio station to be one of the most successful music publishing executives ever,” said John Van Mol, chairman of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation. “Several of our Hall of Fame songwriters have commented that she was a true friend to, and great defender of songwriters, a mentor in every sense of the word.”

Hilley receives the award named for Frances W. Preston, who influenced and nurtured the careers of thousands of songwriters, performers and publishers in all genres of music during her five-decade career at BMI. Previous recipients of the award are music publisher Bob Beckham (2008), music publisher Bill Hall (2009), Preston (2010) and music publisher David Conrad (2011).

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony is one of the music industry’s foremost events of the year. As previously announced, this year’s inductees are Tony Arata, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Larry Henley and Kim Williams. The evening features tributes and performances of the inductees’ songs by special guest artists. NaSHOF’s sister organization, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), also presents its annual awards for the year’s Best Song, Songwriter and Songwriter/Artist, as well as the Top 10 “Songs I Wish I Had Written,” as determined by the professional songwriters division.

The 42nd Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony is presented by AT&T, and will take place at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel. Tickets for the event are $225 each. A limited number of seats are available to the public this year and may be purchased by contacting event director Mark Ford at 615 256 3354 or hoftix@nashvillesongwriters.com.

About the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame: Established in 1970, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame boasts 184 members, including Bobby Braddock, Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Rodney Crowell, Bob Dylan, Don & Phil Everly, Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs, Vince Gill, Harlan Howard, Alan Jackson, Bob McDill, Roger Miller, Bill Monroe, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Carl Perkins, Dottie Rambo, Jimmie Rodgers, Don Schlitz, Cindy Walker, Jimmy Webb, Hank Williams, Sr. and Hank Williams, Jr. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit foundation dedicated to honoring and preserving the songwriting legacy of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. The NaSHOF’s principal purposes are to educate, archive and celebrate songwriting that is uniquely associated with the Nashville music community. More information is available at http://www.nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com/.

Donna Hilley Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Donna Hilley worked at Sony/Tree for 32 years and served as President and CEO from 1994 until her retirement in 2005. Based in Nashville, she guided Sony/ATV Tree's expansion into non-country areas such as film, television, advertising, music and Broadway musicals while maintaining Sony/ATV Tree's leadership in the country field.

She began working with Tree/Cross Keys in 1973, negotiating the company's acquisition of more than 60 major catalogs, including those of Jim Reeves, Conway Twitty, Buck Owens and Merle Haggard, as well as Tree's sale to Sony. Hilley was also instrumental in moving the worldwide administrative headquarters of Sony/ATV to Nashville. In 2002, she orchestrated Sony/ATV’s acquisition of Acuff-Rose Music Publishing.

In 1994, she was named to the ASCAP Board and elected to the National Music Publisher's Association Board. She served as Chairman of the Country Music Association Board; served on the Board of Directors for the Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, was a Board Member of Baptist Hospital; served on the Board of Trustees for Belmont University; served on the Board for Operation Smile; was a member of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce Board of Governors; as well as president of Leadership Music and the Nashville Symphony Association, where she was Chairman of the Music Industry Committee for the Symphony Ball.

In 1996, Hilley was named "One of Nashville's Top 10 Most Powerful People in the Music Industry” and in 1995, was named "One of Nashville's Top 25 Most Influential Women" by Nashville Life Magazine. In 1992, Entertainment Weekly Magazine ranked Hilley #4 in its "Ten Most Powerful People in Country Music." She was bestowed with the Belmont University School of Music Applause Award in 1992 for her service to the college community and music industry.

In 1999, she was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and elected into the YWCA Academy for Women of Achievement. As a tribute to Hilley in 2009, Belmont University established the Donna Hilley Endowed Scholarship in Leadership for students.

The woman who was herself an influence on and mentor to so many people died on June 20, 2012.

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NaSHOF to Induct Tony Arata, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Larry Henley, Kim Williams

August 20 2012

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation (NaSHOF) announced today its 2012 inductees into its Hall of Fame: Tony Arata, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Larry Henley and Kim Williams. Arata and Williams were named in the Songwriter category; Carpenter was elected in the Songwriter/Artist category; and Henley will be inducted in a new Veteran Songwriter category.

The four new inductees will be welcomed into the elite songwriting community by their peers and leaders in the Nashville music community at the 42nd Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony, presented by AT&T, on Sunday, October 7, at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel.

“Among all the great songwriters who have put the music in Music City, only a select few are elected to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame,” said John Van Mol , chairman of the foundation’s board of directors. “We are delighted to accord this honor to Tony, Kim and Mary Chapin, and pleased as well to recognize Larry as the first inductee in the Veteran Songwriter category.”

This past year, the Foundation created a Veteran Songwriter selection process to run parallel to regular Hall of Fame balloting. Instead of being voted on by professional songwriters and Hall of Fame members on the regular ballot, those in the Veteran category (whose first significant songs appeared 30 or more years ago) are considered by a special committee of Hall of Famers and other contemporaries most familiar with their work.

Tony Arata’s songwriter credits include hits such as “The Dance” (Garth Brooks ) and “Here I Am” (Patty Loveless). Kim Williams’ resume is known for hits such as “Three Wooden Crosses” (Randy Travis) and “Ain’t Goin’ Down Till The Sun Comes Up” (Garth Brooks ). Larry Henley is the tunesmith behind the smash “The Wind Beneath My Wings” (Gary Morris, Bette Midler) and “’Til I Get It Right” (Tammy Wynette ). Mary Chapin Carpenter popularized many of her own compositions such as “Down At The Twist And Shout” and “I Feel Lucky.” [Biographical information on each inductee follows this release.]

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony is one of the music industry’s foremost events of the year. The evening features tributes and performances of the inductees’ songs by special guest artists. NaSHOF’s sister organization, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), also presents its annual awards for the year’s best Song, Songwriter and Songwriter/Artist, as well as the Top 10 “Songs I Wish I Had Written,” as determined by the professional songwriters division.

Tickets for the event are $225 each. A limited number of seats are available to the public this year and may be purchased (as available) by contacting event director Mark Ford at hoftix@nashvillesongwriters.com or 615-256-3354.

About the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame:

Established in 1970, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame boasts 184 members, including songwriting luminaries such as Bobby Braddock, Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash , Rodney Crowell, Bob Dylan , Don & Phil Everly, Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs, Vince Gill , Harlan Howard , Alan Jackson , Bob McDill , Roger Miller , Bill Monroe , Roy Orbison , Dolly Parton , Carl Perkins , Dottie Rambo , Jimmie Rodgers , Don Schlitz , Cindy Walker , Jimmy Webb , Hank Williams, Sr. and Hank Williams, Jr. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit foundation dedicated to honoring and preserving the songwriting legacy of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. The NaSHOF’s principal purposes are to educate, archive and celebrate songwriting that is uniquely associated with the Nashville music community. More information is available at http://www.nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com/.

Inductee Biographical Information

Tony Arata

Born and raised in the Savannah, Ga., area, Tony Arata paid his dues in regional bands performing everything from Bluegrass to Rock ’n’ Roll while in college as a journalism major. He was discovered in an Atlanta nightclub by a representative of the Noble Vision record company. As a result, the label’s Jim Glaser recorded Tony’s first hit as a writer, 1983’s “The Man In The Mirror.” Tony also recorded his own LP for the label. The songwriter moved to Nashville in 1986 and signed with Dennis Morgan’s publishing company. In 1990, “The Dance” (Garth Brooks — 1990 ACM Song of the Year) became his first #1 hit. Among Tony’s best-known songs are “A Handful Of Dust” and “Here I Am” (Patty Loveless), “Dreaming With My Eyes Open” (Clay Walker), “I’m Holding My Own” and “You Can’t Get There From Here” (Lee Roy Parnell) and Garth Brooks’ “The Change,” “Why Ain’t I Running” and “That’s The Way I Remember It” (as Chris Gaines).

Kim Williams

Kim Williams grew up near Rogersville, Tenn., where he was playing guitar by age 7 and writing songs by age 11. He played in bands throughout his youth, then settled into a career as a factory technician. After an industrial accident in 1974, Kim began making frequent trips to Nashville for treatment. Those years re-kindled his love of songwriting, and by 1989, he had his first hit — “If The Devil Danced In Empty Pockets” by Joe Diffie. Since then, Kim’s songs have been recorded by Garth Brooks (“Ain’t Goin’ Down Till The Sun Comes Up,” “It’s Midnight Cinderella,” “Papa Loved Mama” and “She’s Gonna Make It”), Reba McEntire (“The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter”), Kenny Chesney (“Fall In Love”), Brooks & Dunn (“Honky Tonk Truth”), Rascal Flatts (“While You Loved Me”) and Randy Travis (“Three Wooden Crosses” - named Song of the Year for NSAI, the CMA, the ACM and the GMA in 2003/2004). Kim was ASCAP’s Country Songwriter of the Year in 1994.

Larry Henley

Texas native Larry Henley is one of only a handful of Music City composers to win a Grammy for Song of the Year (for “The Wind Beneath My Wings,” featured in the 1988 film Beaches). Henley is also distinctive in that he has had major success on both the Country and Pop charts. He first achieved fame in the 1960s Pop group The Newbeats, but by the 1970s he was forging a second career as a songwriter in Nashville with hits such as “If It’s All Right With You” (Dottie West) and “The World Needs A Melody” (the Carter Family w/ Johnny Cash), followed by “’Til I Get It Right” (Tammy Wynette), “Lizzie And The Rainman” (Tanya Tucker), “He’s A Heartache (Looking For A Place To Happen)” (Janie Fricke) and “Is It Still Over?” (Randy Travis). In addition to the Grammy, “The Wind Beneath My Wings” was the ACM’s 1983 Song of the Year and the CMA’s 1984 Song of the Year. Henley was NSAI Songwriter of the Year in 1983.

Mary Chapin Carpenter

Mary Chapin Carpenter was born in Princeton, N.J., but grew up in Japan and Washington, D.C. From an early age, she was fascinated with music. By her late teens, she was a regular performer in D.C. clubs. After graduating from Brown University, Mary Chapin began strongly emphasizing her original songs in her performances. Soon, her talent perked up ears in Nashville and by the 1990s, her Folk-Pop style was enthusiastically embraced by Country radio. Her best-known self-penned songs as an artist include “Down At The Twist And Shout,” “He Thinks He’ll Keep Her,” “I Feel Lucky,” “I Take My Chances,” “Never Had It So Good,” “Not Too Much To Ask,” “Shut Up And Kiss Me,” “Something Of A Dreamer,” “Tender When I Want To Be” and “The Hard Way.” Her songs have also been recorded by Joan Baez, Wynonna, Cyndi Lauper, Terri Clark, The Dixie Chicks, Art Garfunkel, Maura O’Connell and Trisha Yearwood. In 2006, Mary Chapin signed with Rounder Records and has since issued four critically applauded collections for its Zoe Records imprint.

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Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation Elects Board Officers

June 14 2012

Nashville, TN June 11, 2012 -- Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Pat Alger and Mike Dye, a longtime supporter of the Nashville songwriting community, have been elected to officer positions on the board of directors of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF).

Alger is the newly elected vice president, while Dye was named treasurer and finance chair. They will serve along with John Van Mol, chairman, and Layng Martine, secretary, who were re-elected to their positions.

Also serving on the Board of Directors are:

Steve Bogard, songwriter and Director of The Copyright Forum at Belmont University; Kye Fleming , Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member; Wayland Holyfield , Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member; Ken Paulson, President and Chief Executive Officer/First Amendment Center; Dr. Bethel Thomas, Vice President of University Advancement, Belmont University; Troy Tomlinson, President and CEO of Sony/ATV Music Nashville; and Mike Vaden, Director, Decosimo/Vaden.

Ex-officio board members are attorney David L. Maddox (Counsel), David L. Maddox & Associates, P.C., and author/entertainment journalist Robert K. Oermann (Historian). Nashville Songwriters Association International’s Mark Ford serves as Manager of Affairs.

About the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation

Established in 1970, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit foundation dedicated to honoring and preserving the songwriting legacy uniquely associated with the Nashville music community. The Hall boasts 184 members, including songwriting luminaries such as Bill Anderson, Bobby Braddock, Garth Brooks, Felice & Boudleaux Bryant, Johnny Cash, Vince Gill, Tom T. Hall, Harlan Howard, Alan Jackson, Kris Kristofferson, Loretta Lynn, Bob McDill, Roger Miller, Bill Monroe, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Dottie Rambo, Don Schlitz, Cindy Walker, Marijohn Wilkin, Hank Williams Sr. and Hank Williams Jr.

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NaSHOF Announces Date Change for 42nd Anniversary Dinner and Induction Ceremony

May 21 2012

Nashville, TN May 21, 2012 -- Due to a conflict with another major music industry event, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame announced today its 42nd Anniversary Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony will now take place on Sunday, October 7, 2012, at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel.

John Van Mol, chairman of the organization, said the songwriters moved two weeks earlier than their previously announced date of October 21 to accommodate a schedule conflict with another organization that involved artist contractual tour commitments. “Many of the same music industry people would want to attend both events, and since we had more flexibility, our board felt it was in the best interest of all to change our date,” Van Mol said.

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame dinner is one of the highlights of the Nashville Awards season and honors Nashville-connected writers who create the songs that define country music and other genres as well. The 2012 inductees will be announced in the coming months. Last year’s honorees included Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, John Bettis, Thom Schuyler and Allen Shamblin.

About the 2012 Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony

Each year, the Hall of Fame Dinner features tributes and performances of inductees’ songs by special guest artists. In recent years artists such as Garth Brooks, Jimmy Buffett, the Del McCoury Band, Emmylou Harris, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Kris Kristofferson, Raul Malo, Barbara Mandrell, Michael McDonald, Ronnie Milsap, Bonnie Raitt, Blake Shelton, George Strait, Marty Stuart, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Steve Wariner, Jimmy Wayne, Gretchen Wilson and Trisha Yearwood have performed at or participated in the event. Also that same evening, NaSHOF’s sister organization, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), presents its annual awards for the year’s best Song, Songwriter of the Year and Songwriter/Artist of the Year, as well as the Top 10 “Songs I Wish I Had Written,” as determined by its professional songwriters membership.

About the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation

Established in 1970, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit foundation dedicated to honoring and preserving the songwriting legacy uniquely associated with the Nashville music community. The Hall boasts 184 members, including songwriting luminaries such as Bill Anderson, Bobby Braddock, Garth Brooks, Felice & Boudleaux Bryant, Johnny Cash, Vince Gill, Tom T. Hall, Harlan Howard, Alan Jackson, Kris Kristofferson, Loretta Lynn, Bob McDill, Roger Miller, Bill Monroe, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Dottie Rambo, Don Schlitz, Cindy Walker, Marijohn Wilkin, Hank Williams Sr. and Hank Williams Jr.

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2011 Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Photos

October 29 2011

NEED TO ATTACH VIDEO

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Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (20)

NaSHOF Inducts Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, John Bettis, Thom Schuyler, and Allen Shamblin

October 17 2011

Country superstars Garth Brooks and Alan Jackson and hit songwriters John Bettis, Thom Schuyler and Allen Shamblin were inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall Fameduring the organization's 41st Anniversary Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony, held last night at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel. Presented by AT&T, the event celebrated the musical contributions of the newest inductees through star-studded performances of some of their biggest hits before a capacity audience of 1,000 plus."We are honored to recognize extraordinary songwriting talent as personified by John Bettis, Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Thom Schuyler and Allen Shamblin, and we are proud to salute the unique way each of them has brought their music to Music City and the world,” said John Van Mol, Chairman of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation. “Our 2011 inductees now take their rightful place alongside the all-time greats of Nashville songwriting." Garth Brooks was inducted by manager Bob Doyle and producer/Hall of Fame songwriter Allen Reynolds. "The greatest award in the music business is to be called a songwriter," Brooks said to the audience. Five songwriter friends performed a medley of songs they co-wrote with Brooks: Hall of Fame songwriter Pat Alger “The Thunder Rolls;” Kent Blazy “If Tomorrow Never Comes;” Stephanie Davis “We Shall Be Free;” Victoria Shaw “The River” and Jenny Yates “When You Come Back To Me Again.” Alan Jackson got a laugh out of the audience by saying when he first moved to Nashville to pursue music, "I was just stupid enough not to be scared...but it's been going pretty good." He was inducted by Capitol Nashville label head Mike Dungan. The Wrights presented a medley of Jackson’s songs, including “Good Time,” “Remember When,” “Chattahoochee,” “Don’t Rock the Jukebox” and “Here In The Real World,” before four time NSAI Songwriter/Artist of the Year Taylor Swift took the stage to perform “Where Were You." John Bettis, who called his induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame "the greatest honor I've ever gotten," was inducted by co-writer Michael Clark. Brett James and Wayne Kirkpatrick performed a medley of the Bettis compositions “Heartland,” “Yesterday Once More,” “Slow Hand” and “Human Nature.” Country music legend Lynn Anderson ended the set with “Top Of The World." In his acceptance speech, Thom Schuyler thanked Nashville "for receiving so many poets from around the world and making them feel at home." He was inducted by co-writer/Hall of Fame songwriter Don Schlitz. Schuyler co-writers Fred Knobloch, Tony Arata and Jelly Roll Johnson performed a medley of the Schuyler songs: "Love Will Turn You Around," "Long Line of Love," "Old Yellow Car” and “Years After You.” Following the medley, country artist Lacy J. Dalton walked the audience down "16th Avenue." Allen Shamblin was inducted by co-writer/Hall of Fame songwriter Mike Reid. When thanking the audience, Shamblin said, "if I've done anything right in this town, it's because of the people around me. This means more than I can ever say." Country artist Lionel Cartwright performed a medley of Shamblin-penned songs, including “He Walked On Water,” “Don't Laugh At Me” and “The House That Built Me.” Wynonna closed out the set with " I Can't Make You Love Me." In a special tribute alongside the Hall of Fame inductions, Rondor Music President Lance Freed presented the Frances Williams Preston Mentor Award to legendary music publisher David Conrad. The publisher said he was both surprised and honored when he learned he was to be given the Mentor Award, adding "just to be on the safe side, I went out and mentored the heck out of people after I heard I was getting this honor." In addition to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductions, NaSHOF's sister organization, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), presented its annual Songwriter Achievement Awards. The organization's professional songwriter members voted "If I Die Young," by Kimberly Perry, as their Song of the Year. The Songwriter of the Year prize went to Chris DuBois, co-writer of such hits as Brad Paisley’s “Anything Like Me,” “Old Alabama” and “Water.” The Songwriter/Artist of the Year was presented for the fourth time in five years to Taylor Swift, who scored self-penned hits of her own, including “Back To December” and “Mean.” Besides honoring the Song, Songwriter and Songwriter/Artist, the writers of NSAI's Professional Songwriters Division also singled out 10 songs and their writers for the organization's 2011 awards, informally dubbed "The Songs I Wish I'd Written." Recipients were:“American Honey” (Cary Barlowe, Hillary Lindsey, Shane Stevens / recorded by Lady Antebellum)“Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not" (Jim Collins, David Lee Murphy / recorded by Thompson Square)“Hello World” (Tom Douglas, Tony Lane, David Lee / recorded by Lady Antebellum)“Homeboy” (Casey Beathard, Eric Church / recorded by Eric Church)“Honey Bee” (Rhett Akins, Ben Hayslip / recorded by Blake Shelton)“If I Die Young” (Kimberly Perry / recorded by The Band Perry)“Mean” (Taylor Swift / recorded by Taylor Swift)“Pretty Good At Drinkin' Beer” (Troy Jones / recorded by Billy Currington)“The Boys Of Fall” (Casey Beathard, Dave Turnbull / recorded by Kenny Chesney)“Who Are You When I'm Not Looking” (Earl Bud Lee, John Wiggins / recorded by Blake Shelton). PICTURED (l-r) are: Inductees Alan Jackson and Thom Schuyler, Mentor Award winner David Conrad and inductees John Bettis, Allen Shamblin and Garth Brooks.Photo Credit: Bev Moser

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Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (21)

David Conrad To Be Presented With Frances Williams Preston Mentor Award

September 26 2011

David Conrad To Be Presented With Frances Williams Preston Mentor AwardAt Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony

Nashville, TN September 26, 2011 -- Legendary music publisher David Conrad will be presented with the Frances Williams Preston Mentor Award during the upcoming Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony on October 16th, it was announced today by John Van Mol, Chairman of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation. Conrad is one of the industry’s most influential and respected executives.

"David is everything a songwriter could want in a mentor: honesty and integrity, character and class,” Van Mol said. “As a music publisher, he loved the songs and he loved the writers, and served as their coach, teacher, psychologist, friend and business partner. Writers were always proud to have their work go out into the world represented by David Conrad, and this award is well-deserved recognition of his outstanding character and care for those in the songwriting profession."

Conrad receives the award named for Frances W. Preston, who influenced and nurtured the careers of thousands of songwriters, performers and publishers in all genres of music during her five-decade career at BMI. Previous recipients of the award are music publisher Bob Beckham (2008), music publisher Bill Hall (2009) and Preston (2010).

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony is one of the music industry’s foremost events of the year. The evening features tributes and performances of the inductees’ songs by special guest artists. As previously announced, this year’s inductees are John Bettis, Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Thom Schuyler and Allen Shamblin.

NaSHOF’s sister organization, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), also presents its annual awards for the year’s Best Song, Songwriter and Songwriter/Artist, as well as the Top 10 “Songs I Wish I Had Written,” as determined by the professional songwriters division.

The 41st Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony is presented by AT&T, and will take place at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel. Tickets for the event are $200 each. A limited number of seats are available to the public this year and may be purchased by contacting event director Mark Ford at 615 256 3354 or hoftix@nashvillesongwriters.com.

About the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame:

Established in 1970, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame boasts 171 members, including songwriting luminaries such as Johnny Cash, Rodney Crowell, Bob Dylan, Don & Phil Everly, Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs, Vince Gill, Harlan Howard, Bob McDill, Roger Miller, Bill Monroe, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Carl Perkins, Dottie Rambo, Jimmie Rodgers, Cindy Walker, Jimmy Webb, Hank Williams, Sr. and Hank Williams, Jr. It was announced in September 2007 that the future home of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame will be the historic building at 34 Music Square East, former home of the Quonset Hut, Columbia Studio A, Columbia and Epic Records and Sony Music Nashville. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame will become the first organization honoring songwriters to emerge from a virtual entity to one with a physical location.

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit foundation dedicated to honoring and preserving the songwriting legacy of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. The NaSHOF’s principal purposes are to educate, archive and celebrate songwriting that is uniquely associated with the Nashville music community. More information is available at / .

David Conrad

David Conrad’s career spans more than 35 years in the music publishing business. He has played a major role in the development of Nashville as one of the world's primary songwriting capitols.

In 1973, he was hired as general manager for Charley Pride's PiGem/Chess Music, where he worked with coowner and producer Tom Collins. Conrad managed a staff of 15 songwriters and was involved in the development of such awardwinning tunesmiths as Kent Robbins, Dennis Morgan, Kye Fleming and Archie Jordan. He was also involved in the careers of and selected material for Ronnie Milsap, Barbara Mandrell and Steve Wariner.

In 1981, Conrad opened the Nashville office of Almo/Irving Music. Through his direction, the company became a leader in cultivating songwriting of all genres, having placed songs not only on the country music charts but those of pop, adult contemporary and R&B as well.

Through his publishing years at Almo/Irving, Conrad worked with a diverse roster of songwriters and artists that include Pat Alger, John Anderson, Max D. Barnes, Jimmy Buffett, Kye Fleming, Patti Griffin, Nanci Griffith, Emmylou Harris, Wayland Holyfield, Waylon Jennings, Will Jennings, Paul Kennerley, Fred Knobloch, Mark Knopfler, Mike Reid, Kent Robbins, Annie Roboff, Don Schlitz, Thom Schuyler, Gary Scruggs, Allen Shamblin, Bruce Springsteen, Marty Stuart, Gillian Welch, Paul Williams and Craig Wiseman.

Contact for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation:Jennifer Bohler/Alliance615 292 5804jenny@jb-alliance.com For the Nashville Songwriters Association International:Mark Ford615 256 3354MarkFord@NashvilleSongwritersFOUNDATION.com<

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Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (22)

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Announces Inductees for 2011

August 20 2011

NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME TO INDUCT FIVE

JOHN BETTIS, GARTH BROOKS, ALAN JACKSON, THOM SCHUYLER, ALLEN SHAMBLIN

TAKE THEIR HONORS ON OCTOBER 16

NASHVILLE, TN August 22, 2011 -- The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation (NaSHOF) today announced this year’s inductees for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame: from the Songwriter category, hit writers John Bettis, Thom Schuyler and Allen Shamblin; from the Songwriter/Artist category, Country superstars Garth Brooks and Alan Jackson.

The five new inductees will be welcomed into the elite songwriting community by their peers at the 41st Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony, presented by AT&T, on Sunday, October 16th at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel.

“These five very talented individuals are among an era of powerhouse writers and artists who propelled country music to unparalleled heights beginning in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and also made substantial contributions to popular and rock music," said John Van Mol, chairman of NaSHOF. "We look forward to a fantastic evening of recognition for our inductees, and great entertainment for all who attend."

Van Mol said the NaSHOF board of directors decided to increase the number of inductees this year to five from the traditional three, as has been done in some years in the past. "Songwriters and songwriter/artists with ties to Nashville have made our city the songwriting capital of the world," Van Mol said. "This year's inductees have greatly enhanced that reputation and are richly deserving of Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame honors."

Bettis’ songwriter credits include Pop/Country crossover hits such as “Top Of The World” (The Carpenters, Lynn Anderson) and “Slow Hand” (The Pointer Sisters, Conway Twitty). Schuyler’s resume is known for hits such as “Love Will Turn You Around” (Kenny Rogers) and “A Long Line Of Love” (Michael Martin Murphey). Shamblin is the tunesmith behind “I Can’t Make You Love Me” (Bonnie Raitt) and “The House That Built Me” (Miranda Lambert). Brooks popularized many of his own compositions such as “The Thunder Rolls” and “The River.” Jackson created hits from many of his self-penned songs such as “Chattahoochee” and “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning).”

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony is one of the music industry’s foremost events of the year. The evening features tributes and performances of the inductees’ songs by special guest artists. NaSHOF’s sister organization, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), also presents its annual awards for the year’s best Song, Songwriter and Songwriter/Artist, as well as the Top 10 “Songs I Wish I Had Written,” as determined by the professional songwriters division.

Tickets for the event are $200 each. A limited number of seats are available to the public this year and may be purchased by contacting event director Mark Ford at hoftix@nashvillesongwriters.com or 615-256-3354.

About the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame:

Established in 1970, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame boasts 179 members, including songwriting luminaries such as Johnny Cash, Rodney Crowell, Bob Dylan, Don & Phil Everly, Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs, Vince Gill, Harlan Howard, Bob McDill, Roger Miller, Bill Monroe, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Carl Perkins, Dottie Rambo, Jimmie Rodgers, Cindy Walker, Jimmy Webb, Hank Williams, Sr. and Hank Williams, Jr. It was announced in September 2007 that the future home of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame will be the historic building at 34 Music Square East, former home of the Quonset Hut, Columbia Studio A, Columbia and Epic Records and Sony Music Nashville. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame will become the first organization honoring songwriters to emerge from a virtual entity to one with a physical location. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit foundation dedicated to honoring and preserving the songwriting legacy of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. The NaSHOF’s principal purposes are to educate, archive and celebrate songwriting that is uniquely associated with the Nashville music community. More information is available at http://nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com/.

Inductee Biographical Information:

A 2011 inductee into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York, John Bettis is the only songwriter of his generation who has repeatedly topped the Pop, Country, R&B and Adult Contemporary charts. His biggest Country hits include “Heartland” (George Strait), “Only One Love In My Life” (Ronnie Milsap) and “One Of A Kind Pair Of Fools” (Barbara Mandrell). His successes on the Pop hit parade include “One Moment In Time” (Whitney Houston), “Human Nature” (Michael Jackson) and “Crazy For You” (Madonna). “Top Of The World” topped both charts (Lynn Anderson, The Carpenters), as did his Nashville-written “Slow Hand” (The Pointer Sisters, Conway Twitty), while The Carpenters’ “I Need To Be In Love” and “Yesterday Once More” topped the AC charts. The California native has been co-writing in Nashville since 1971 and has been a full-time resident since 1996.

Certified by the RIAA as the #1 selling solo artist in US history, Garth Brooks has sold more than 128 million albums and is the only solo artist in RIAA history to have six albums top the 10 million mark. His most recent release The Ultimate Hits has been certified 5x platinum. His body of work includes groundbreaking albums No Fences, Ropin’ The Wind, The Hits and Double Live – all of which helped propel country music as a genre to the front pages of newspapers and magazines worldwide. Since breaking onto the charts in 1989, Brooks has covered a variety of styles, including working class blues, honky tonk, bluegrass and arena rock. As a songwriter his credits include “If Tomorrow Never Comes,” “The Thunder Rolls,” “Unanswered Prayers” and “We Shall Be Free,” to name a few. Brooks has received every accolade the recording industry can bestow on an artist, including two Grammys®, 17 American Music Awards, 11 Country Music Association Awards, 18 Academy of Country Music Awards, five World Music Awards, 12 People’s Choice Awards, and 36 Billboard Music Awards. He was named Artist of the ‘90s at the 1997 Blockbuster Entertainment Awards, received the Artist Achievement Award at the 1997 Billboard Music Awards, was named Artist of the Decade at the American Music Awards in 2000 and the Academy of Country Music Awards in 1999. In 2001, in the midst of one of the most successful careers in music history, Brooks retired and moved back to Oklahoma to raise his children. In 2008, Brooks headlined President Obama's Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial. In 2009, Brooks emerged out of retirement and entered a five-year performing relationship with Las Vegas resort developer, Steve Wynn. He recently finished an astonishing nine concerts to raise $5 million for the flood relief efforts in Nashville, Tennessee.

Alan Jackson’s songs are distinguished by straightforward, honest and back-to-basics Country sincerity. He has written or co-written 24 #1 songs for himself, including “Remember When,” “Good Time,” “Drive (For Daddy Gene),” “Don’t Rock The Jukebox,” “Where I Come From” and the career highlights “Chattahoochee” and “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning).” “Chattahoochee” won a CMA Song of the Year award. “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” won Song of the Year honors from the CMA, the ACM and the Grammys. He was ASCAP’s Country Songwriter of the Year in 1993, 1994 and 1998; Jackson was ASCAP’s Country Songwriter/Artist of the Year in 2002, 2003, 2008 and 2009; and in 2010 he was honored with the prestigious ASCAP Founders Award. Jackson was NSAI’s Songwriter/Artist of the Year in 1991, 1992, 2002, 2007 and 2008. In addition, he has penned or co-written hits for other artists, notably the #1 songs “A Better Class Of Losers” (Randy Travis) and “If I Could Make A Living” (Clay Walker). The Georgia native is a three-time CMA Entertainer of the Year and a member of the Grand Ole Opry – in fact, he’s one of the most-honored singer-songwriters of the last 20 years, with a total of two Grammys, 16 CMA Awards and 17 ACM Awards to his credit. Jackson’s songs span 13 studio albums, three hits collections, two holiday albums and a critically-acclaimed gospel album with combined global sales of nearly 60-million. He was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 2001. One of country music’s most-prolific songwriters, Jackson’s latest hit is “Long Way to Go,” the first single from his forthcoming debut album on EMI Records Nashville and his own ACR (Alan’s Country Records) venture. Recent credits also include “You’d Be Lonesome, Too,” from the new Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams project, spearheaded by Bob Dylan. Jackson completed the song based on original unfinished lyrics by the legend.

During his Nashville career, Bethlehem, PA native Thom Schuyler has worn many hats — A&R executive at RCA; recording artist for Capitol Records (solo) and for MTM Records (as a member of the trios S-K-O [Schuyler, Knobloch & Overstreet] and S-K-B [Schuyler, Knobloch & Bickhardt]) and songwriting instructor at Belmont University. Additionally, he is often credited as a founder of Nashville’s popular “in the round” style of songwriter showcases. After moving to Music City in 1978, Thom was signed to Eddie Rabbitt’s publishing company. In 1982, Thom’s “Love Will Turn You Around” (Kenny Rogers) was named ASCAP Country Song of the Year. Other songwriting credits include “I Don’t Know Where To Start” (Eddie Rabbitt), “A Long Line Of Love” (Michael Martin Murphey), “My Old Yellow Car” (Dan Seals), “I Fell In Love Again Last Night” (The Forester Sisters), “Years After You” (John Conlee) and “Love Out Loud” (Earl Thomas Conley). His “Point of Light” (Randy Travis) was the theme song for President George H.W. Bush’s volunteerism campaign. “16th Avenue” (Lacy J. Dalton) is the unofficial anthem of Music Row’s songwriting community.

Allen Shamblin was born in Tennessee but raised near Houston, Texas. He moved to Music City in 1987. He is noted for heartfelt sentimentality in such hit titles as “He Walked On Water” (Randy Travis), “In This Life” (Collin Raye) and “Life’s A Dance” (John Michael Montgomery), as well as hits such as “Thinkin’ Problem” (David Ball), “Walk On Faith” (Mike Reid) and “We Were In Love” (Toby Keith). His co-written “Don’t Laugh At Me” (Mark Wills) won NSAI’s 1998 Song of the Year. Among his Contemporary Christian cuts is the Dove-Award winner “It’s In God’s Hands Now” (Anointed). His biggest successes have come with Bonnie Raitt’s Grammy-nominated Pop rendition of “I Can’t Make You Love Me” and “The House That Built Me” (Miranda Lambert), which was named 2010 Song of the Year by NSAI, the ACM and the CMA.

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15 Nominated for Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame

June 20 2011

Five highly successful artists and ten songwriters whose work has been recorded by some of the biggest names in popular and country music have been nominated for one of the nation's highest songwriting honors – induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Garth Brooks, Larry Gatlin, Amy Grant, Alan Jackson, and Townes Van Zandt are the 2011 nominees in the Songwriter/Artist category. John Bettis, Robert Byrne, J.J. Cale, Jan Crutchfield., Mark James, Dan Penn, Gretchen Peters, Thom Schuyler, Allen Shamblin and John Scott Sherrill are the Songwriter category nominees.

"This is an amazing group of songwriters and songwriter/artists," said John Van Mol, chair of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation (NaSHOF), which owns and administers the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. "Every one of them is extremely worthy of induction, and it is our honor to place each of their names in nomination."

Van Mol said the ballot seeks to recognize songwriters whose first significant works achieved commercial success and/or artistic recognition at least 20 years ago and who have “positively impacted and been closely associated with the Nashville Music Community and deemed to be outstanding and significant.” This year’s inductees will be announced in the coming weeks before the dinner, he added.

The 10 Songwriter Category nominees reflect multiple genres and eras:

John Bettis (“Slow Hand” by Conway Twitty/The Pointer Sisters * “Top Of The World” by The Carpenters/Lynn Anderson),Robert Byrne [1954-2005] (“Two Dozen Roses” by Shenandoah * “Rose Bouquet” by Phil Vassar),J.J. Cale (“Cocaine” by Eric Clapton * “Call Me The Breeze” by Lynyrd Skynyrd),Jan Crutchfield (“Statue Of A Fool” by Jack Greene/Brian Collins/Ricky Van Shelton * “Dream On Little Dreamer” by Perry Como),Mark James (“Suspicious Minds” by Elvis Presley * “Always On My Mind” by Willie Nelson),Dan Penn (“I’m Your Puppet” by James & Bobby Purify * “The Dark End Of The Street” by James Carr/Archie Campbell & Lorene Mann), Gretchen Peters (“Independence Day” by Martina McBride * “The Chill Of An Early Fall” by George Strait),Thom Schuyler (“16th Avenue” by Lacy J. Dalton * “Love Will Turn You Around” by Kenny Rogers),Allen Shamblin (“I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt * “The House That Built Me” by Miranda Lambert),John Scott Sherrill (“Nothin’ But The Wheel” by Patty Loveless * “Would You Go With Me” by Josh Turner).

The five nominees in the Songwriter/Artist category enjoyed some of their greatest successes with their own compositions:

Garth Brooks (“If Tomorrow Never Comes” * “Unanswered Prayers” * “The Thunder Rolls”),Larry Gatlin (“Broken Lady” * “Statues Without Hearts” * “All The Gold In California”),Amy Grant (“Baby Baby” * “Every Heartbeat” * “Tennessee Christmas”),Alan Jackson (“Don’t Rock The Jukebox” * “Chattahoochee” * “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)”),Townes Van Zandt[1944-1997] (“If I Needed You” * “Pancho And Lefty” * “White Freight Liner Blues”).

Two Songwriters and one Songwriter/Artist will be inducted at the NaSHOF's annual Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony to be held Sunday, Oct. 16, at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel. Tickets for the event will go on sale in late August.

About the 2011 Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Ballot

The ballot was recommended to the board by the NaSHOF's Hall of Fame Nominating Committee, which is comprised of Hall of Fame members and Music Row historians. Votes are cast by Hall of Fame members and Professional Songwriter members of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), as well as the boards of the NaSHOF and NSAI.

About the 2011 Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony

One of the music industry’s foremost events of the year, the Hall of Fame Dinner features tributes and performances of inductees’ songs by special guest artists. In recent years artists such as Garth Brooks, Jimmy Buffett, the Del McCoury Band, Emmylou Harris, Toby Keith, Kris Kristofferson, Barbara Mandrell, Michael McDonald, Ronnie Milsap, Bonnie Raitt, Blake Shelton, George Strait, Marty Stuart, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Steve Wariner, Gretchen Wilson and Trisha Yearwood have performed at or participated in the event. Also that same evening, NaSHOF’s sister organization, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), presents its annual awards for the year’s best Song, Songwriter and Songwriter/Artist, as well as the Top 10 “Songs I Wish I Had Written,” as determined by its professional songwriters.

About the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation

Established in 1970, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit foundation dedicated to honoring and preserving the songwriting legacy uniquely associated with the Nashville Music Community. The Hall boasts 179 members, including songwriting luminaries such as Bill Anderson, Bobby Braddock, Felice & Boudleaux Bryant, Johnny Cash, Vince Gill, Tom T. Hall, Harlan Howard, Kris Kristofferson, Loretta Lynn, Bob McDill, Roger Miller, Bill Monroe, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Dottie Rambo, Don Schlitz, Cindy Walker, Marijohn Wilkin, Hank Williams Sr. and Hank Williams Jr.

About the 2011 Nominees

SONGWRITER category:

JOHN BETTIS

A 2011 inductee into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York,John Bettis is the only songwriter of his generation who has repeatedly topped the Pop, Country, R&B and Adult Contemporary charts. His biggest Country hits include “Heartland” (George Strait), “Only One Love In My Life” (Ronnie Milsap) and “One Of A Kind Pair Of Fools” (Barbara Mandrell). His successes on the Pop hit parade include “One Moment In Time” (Whitney Houston), “Human Nature” (Michael Jackson) and “Crazy For You” (Madonna). “Top Of The World” topped both charts (Lynn Anderson, The Carpenters), as did his Nashville-written “Slow Hand” (The Pointer Sisters, Conway Twitty), while The Carpenters’ “I Need To Be In Love” and “Yesterday Once More” topped the AC charts. The California native has been co-writing in Nashville since 1971 and has been a full-time resident since 1996.

ROBERT BYRNE (1954-2005)

Robert Byrne was a native of Detroit, Mich., who initially rose to prominence in the 1970s as a writer and record producer in Muscle Shoals, Ala. He won the American Song Festival contest in 1977 with “Bound To Know The Blues” and in 1978 with “I’ll Love Your Leavin’ Away” before recording a solo LP for Mercury Records in 1979. During his career, Robert wrote approximately 300 songs. His credits include hits by Earl Thomas Conley (“I Can’t Win For Losin’ You,” “What I’d Say”), the Forester Sisters (“Men”), Shenandoah (“Two Dozen Roses,” “See If I Care”), Lorrie Morgan (“I Didn’t Know My Own Strength”) and Phil Vassar (“Rose Bouquet”). Robert won six BMI Awards. In addition to many Country versions of his songs, he was also recorded by Helen Reddy, Johnny Rivers, Englebert Humperdinck, Roy Orbison, The Captain & Tennille, The Carpenters, Thelma Houston and Dr. Hook. He was found dead at the age of 50 in his Nashville home on June 26, 2005.

J.J. CALE

Famed for his Bluesy, rootsy, laid-back style, Oklahoma native John Weldon Cale moved to Nashville in 1959 and found work as a guitarist with touring Grand Ole Opry troupes. After stints in Los Angeles and Tulsa, J.J. returned to Music City in 1970 to record his debut album. In 1972, he built his own studio in Nashville, where he continued to record and live part-time throughout the ’70s and early ’80s. Both Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler have acknowledged J.J.’s influence as a guitarist, with the former making international hits of J.J.’s “After Midnight” and “Cocaine.” Over the years J.J.’s various albums have yielded “Crazy Mama” (a Pop hit for him in 1972), “Call Me The Breeze” (turned into a Rock standard by Lynyrd Skynyrd), “Clyde” (a Top-10 Country hit for Waylon Jennings in 1980), “Any Way The Wind Blows” (Brother Phelps in 1995) and “The Sensitive Kind” (Santana in 1981), as well as the oft-covered “I Got The Same Old Blues,” “Magnolia” and “Travelin’ Light.” As an artist, J.J. has released 16 albums since 1971, including the Grammy-winning collaboration with Clapton, The Road to Escondido (2006) and Roll On (2009).

JAN CRUTCHFIELD

Jan Crutchfield has been providing material to Country singers for more than five decades. The Kentucky native originally moved to Nashville as a performer. He was a member of the RCA act the Country Gentlemen, which later became the Escorts. Throughout the 1960s and ’70s, he also worked as the professional manager at the famed Cedarwood Publishing company. Many of his songs have been hits multiple times by multiple artists. “Statue Of A Fool” was a Top 10 single three times in 20 years (Jack Greene, Brian Collins, Ricky Van Shelton). “Sweet Misery” was a Top 20 hit twice in four years (Jimmy Dean, Ferlin Husky), earning two Country awards and one Pop award from BMI. “Tear Time” was a Top 20 hit twice in 10 years (Wilma Burgess, Dave & Sugar). One of Jan’s best-known songs,“Dream On Little Dreamer,” was a Pop hit for Perry Como in 1965 that spawned a flurry of cuts and was featured two decades later in the 1987 film Good Morning, Vietnam. Jan enjoyed special success with Lee Greenwood during the 1980s, including “It Turns Me Inside Out” (Lee’s first single, which earned a CMA Song nomination in 1982), “Going, Going, Gone,” “She’s Lying” and “It Should Have Been Love By Now” (a duet with Barbara Mandrell). Other hits included “I’m Living In Two Worlds” (Bonnie Guitar) and “This Little Girl Of Mine” (Faron Young).

MARK JAMES

Mark James grew up in Houston, Texas, along with B.J. Thomas, who was the first to make his songs hits. By the late 1960s, Mark was signed as a staff songwriter to Memphis producer Chips Moman’s publishing company. Moman produced Thomas’ versions of “The Eyes Of A New York Woman” and “Hooked On A Feeling” in 1968-69, and these became Mark’s debut songwriting successes. He issued his own version of “Suspicious Minds” (also produced by Moman) on Scepter Records in 1968 before Elvis Presley made it a smash the following year using the same arrangement. These songs, as well as hits such as “Sunday Sunrise” (Brenda Lee) and “Moody Blue” (Elvis Presley) were all created by Mark as a solo writer. Mark also co-wrote the hits “It’s Only Love” (B.J. Thomas) and “One Hell Of A Woman” (Mac Davis). Mark’s biggest hit came via Willie Nelson’s 1982 recording of “Always On My Mind.” A collaboration with fellow Memphians Johnny Christopher and Wayne Carson, that song – named 1982 Song of the Year for NSAI, the ACM and the CMA – earned the writers a pair of Grammys for Best Country Song and for Best Song.

DAN PENN

As a young songwriter, Vernon, Ala., native Dan Penn tasted success in 1960 when Conway Twitty released his song “Is A Bluebird Blue” as a single. In 1966, after several years in the Muscle Shoals, Ala., music scene, Dan moved to Memphis, where he formed a songwriting partnership with keyboardist Dewey Lyndon “Spooner” Oldham, who also had started off in Muscle Shoals. Together, the duo created many often-recorded R&B and Pop hits such as “I’m Your Puppet” (James & Bobby Purify), “It Tears Me Up” (Percy Sledge), “Cry Like A Baby” (the Box Tops), “Sweet Inspiration” (the Sweet Inspirations), “Out Of Left Field” (Percy Sledge), “Take Me (Just As I Am)” (Solomon Burke) and “Up Tight, Good Man” (Laura Lee). Outside the duo, Dan’s catalog includes songs such as “Do Right Woman - Do Right Man” (an R&B hit for Aretha Franklin) and the classic “The Dark End Of The Street” (an R&B hit for James Carr and a Country hit for Archie Campbell & Lorene Mann). Today, Dan is a member of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame’s “Achievers” section.

GRETCHEN PETERS

Born in New York and raised in Colorado, Gretchen Peters joined Nashville’s songwriting community in 1988. Her “Independence Day" (Martina McBride) was named the CMA Song of the Year in 1995. Other catalog highlights include “The Chill Of An Early Fall” (George Strait), “The Secret Of Life” (Faith Hill), “Let That Pony Run” (Pam Tillis), “You Don’t Even Know Who I Am” (Patty Loveless), “If Heaven” (Andy Griggs), “My Baby Loves Me” (Martina McBride) and “On A Bus To St. Cloud” (Trisha Yearwood). She also has a number of cuts with frequent collaborator/Canadian rocker Bryan Adams such as “This Side Of Paradise” and “Rock Steady”, (a duet with Bonnie Raitt). Noted as one of the most intelligent and literate Country song crafters, Gretchen has also recorded seven albums as an artist.

THOM SCHUYLER

During his Nashville career, Bethlehem, Penn., native Thom Schuyler has worn many hats — A&R executive at RCA; recording artist for Capitol Records (solo) and for MTM Records (as a member of the trios S-K-O [Schuyler, Knobloch & Overstreet] and S-K-B [Schuyler, Knobloch & Bickhardt]); songwriting instructor at Belmont University. Additionally, he is often credited as a founder of Nashville’s popular “in the round” style of songwriter showcases. After moving to Music City in 1978, Thom was signed to Eddie Rabbitt’s publishing company. In 1982, Thom’s “Love Will Turn You Around” (Kenny Rogers) was named ASCAP Country Song of the Year. Other songwriting credits include "I Don’t Know Where To Start” (Eddie Rabbitt) “A Long Line Of Love" (Michael Martin Murphey), “My Old Yellow Car” (Dan Seals), “I Fell In Love Again Last Night” (The Forester Sisters), “Years After You” (John Conlee) and “Love Out Loud” (Earl Thomas Conley). His “Point of Light” (Randy Travis) was the theme song for President George H.W. Bush’s volunteerism campaign. “16th Avenue” is the unofficial anthem of Music Row’s songwriting community.

ALLEN SHAMBLIN

Allen Shamblin was born in Tennessee but raised near Houston, Texas. He moved to Music City in 1987. He is noted for heartfelt sentimentality in such hit titles as “He Walked On Water” (Randy Travis), “In This Life” (Collin Raye) and “Life’s A Dance” (John Michael Montgomery), as well as hits such as “Thinkin’ Problem” (David Ball), “Walk On Faith” (Mike Reid) and “We Were In Love” (Toby Keith). His co-written “Don’t Laugh At Me” (Mark Wills) won NSAI’s 1998 Song of the Year. Among his Contemporary Christian cuts is the Dove-Award winner “It’s In God’s Hands Now” (Anointed). His biggest successes have come with Bonnie Raitt’s Grammy-nominated Pop rendition of “I Can’t Make You Love Me" and “The House That Built Me” (Miranda Lambert), which was named 2010 Song of the Year by NSAI, the ACM and the CMA.

OHN SCOTT SHERRILL

John Scott Sherrill was born in New York City but grew up north of the metropolis in Mount Kisko, N.Y. Dropping out of college, he became a Folk singer in Boston, then a performer in a hippie band that played northeastern colleges. In 1975, he decided to travel to California, stopping in Nashville en route. When his van broke down in Music City, he stayed. He scored his first hit when Johnny Lee released “When You Fall In Love” in 1982. Working with a variety of collaborators, Sherrill has seldom been off the charts since. Among his BMI-award winning songs are “Wild And Blue” (John Anderson), “Some Fools Never Learn” (Steve Wariner), “That Rock Won’t Roll” (Restless Heart), “(Do You Love Me) Just Say Yes” (Highway 101), “The Church On Cumberland Road” (Shenandoah) and “No Man’s Land” (John Michael Montgomery). His “Nothin’ But The Wheel” has been recorded by Country’s Patty Loveless, the Bluegrass band Special Consensus and the Rock duo of Peter Wolf & Mick Jagger. In the late 1980s, Sherrill was a member of the Country group Billy Hill. Among his most recent successes are “How Long Gone” (Brooks & Dunn) and “Would You Go With Me” (Josh Turner).

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SONGWRITER/ARTIST category:

GARTH BROOKS

Native Oklahoman Garth Brooks is among the biggest-selling recording stars in music history. Among his many chart-topping hits are 10 that he co-wrote, including “If Tomorrow Never Comes," “Unanswered Prayers,” “The Thunder Rolls,” “The River,” “That Summer,” “We Shall Be Free” and “Ain’t Going Down (’Til The Sun Comes Up).” He also co-wrote Chris LeDoux’s “Whatcha Gonna Do With A Cowboy” and a pair of his own duets with Trisha Yearwood — “Like We Never Had A Broken Heart” and “In Another’s Eyes.” He was ASCAP’s Country Songwriter of the Year in 1993 and 1994 and NSAI’s 1992 Songwriter/Artist of the Year. This four-time CMA Entertainer of the Year and Grand Ole Opry cast member is a 2011 inductee into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York. He arrived in Nashville in 1987 and enjoyed almost all of his success as a resident before returning to Oklahoma in 2005.

LARRY GATLIN

Larry Wayne Gatlin began his musical career singing Gospel music in West Texas with his siblings. He joined the Imperials and was performing in Las Vegas with the group when he was discovered by Dottie West. After hearing his songs, she sent him a plane ticket to Nashville and signed him to her publishing company. His early songs were recorded by her, as well as Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson and Elvis Presley. Gatlin also wrote two of Johnny Rodriguez’s biggest hits, “If Practice Makes Perfect” and “I Just Can’t Get Her Out Of My Mind.” Gatlin wrote 17 Top-10 hits for himself and his brothers in the 1970s and 1980s, including “Broken Lady” (1976 Grammy for Best Country Song), “Statues Without Hearts,” “I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love,” “Night Time Magic,” “All The Gold In California,” “Houston Means I’m One Day Closer To You,” “The Lady Takes The Cowboy Every Time” and “She Used To Be Somebody’s Baby.” In recent years, his Gospel songs have been recorded by many artists. To date, he has earned 21 BMI Awards.

AMY GRANT

Perhaps no other artist has so completely defined and dominated a genre as has Amy Grant in Contemporary Christian Music (CCM). Signed to a recording contract at age 16, Amy became a CCM star by the late ’70s. Her 1982 breakthrough album, Age to Age, earned a Grammy and two Dove Awards and was the first Platinum Christian-music album. By the mid-’80s, she also began crossing over to Pop audiences with hits such as “Find A Way” (1985) and “Lead Me On” (1988). Her 1991 album, Heart in Motion, generated the multi-genre hits “Baby Baby,” “Every Heartbeat,” “Good For Me,” “I Will Remember You” and “That’s What Love Is For.” Another Amy song from this era, “Place In This World,” co-written with and recorded by Michael W. Smith, was named the GMA’s 1991 Song of the Year. Another Grant-Smith composition, “Thy Word,” has become a Hymnal standard. During her career, Amy has released four Christmas albums and co-wrote her signature “Tennessee Christmas.” She was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2003. In 2005, Amy starred in the reality TV series Three Wishes and won her sixth Grammy. In 2006, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Amy recently released her 23rd album since 1977, Somewhere Down The Road (2010).

ALAN JACKSON

Alan Jackson’s songs are distinguished by straightforward, honest and back-to-basics Country sincerity. He has written 15 #1 songs for himself, including “Remember When,” “Good Time,” “Drive (For Daddy Gene),” “Don’t Rock The Jukebox,” “Where I Come From” and the career highlights “Chattahoochee” and “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning).” “Chattahoochee” won a CMA Song of the Year award. “Where Were You” won Song of the Year honors from the CMA, the ACM and the Grammys. He was ASCAP’s Country Songwriter of the Year in 1993, 1994 and 1998. He was ASCAP’s Country Songwriter/Artist of the Year in 2002, 2003, 2008 and 2009. He was NSAI’s Songwriter/Artist of the Year in 1991, 1992, 2002, 2007 and 2008. In addition, he has penned hits for other artists, notably “A Better Class Of Losers” (Randy Travis), “If I Could Make A Living”(Clay Walker) and “I Can’t Do That Anymore” (Faith Hill). A Nashvillian since 1985, the Georgia native is a three-time CMA Entertainer of the Year winner and a member of the Grand Ole Opry cast. He was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 2001.

TOWNES VAN ZANDT (1944-1997)

Although not a “hit” composer, Townes Van Zandt is regarded as a “songwriter’s songwriter” and a cult figure whose legend continues to grow. Born in Ft. Worth, Texas, to an oil-rich family, Townes began his Folk-singing career in Houston in 1965. He was discovered in 1968 by Mickey Newbury, who brought him to Nashville to record his debut discs. In 1975, Townes was featured prominently in the documentary film Heartworn Highways and served as a mentor to notables such as Jerry Jeff Walker, Guy Clark, Richard Dobson and Steve Earle. Moving to Nashville in 1976, Townes continued to struggle with alcoholism and drug addiction throughout his career. He died Jan. 1, 1997, at age 52. Among his best-known songs are “If I Needed You” (a hit for Emmylou Harris & Don Williams) and “Pancho And Lefty” (a hit for Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard), as well as his “Nothin’,” “Mr. Mudd And Mr. Gold,” “No Place To Fall,” “Rex’s Blues,” “Snowing On Raton,” “St. John The Gambler,” “Tecumseh Valley” and “White Freight Liner Blues.” Various Townes’ tributes include a posthumous 2006 documentary film, four biographical books, the 2001 all-star CD Poet and Steve Earle’s 2009 CD Townes.

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2011 Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony

April 11 2011

The 41st Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony will take place Sunday, October 16, 2011 at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel, according to an announcement made today by John Van Mol, Chairman of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation. The annual event is one of the highlights of the Nashville Awards season and honors those who create the songs that define country music.

This year’s inductees will be announced in the coming months. Last year’s honorees included Pat Alger, Steve Cropper, Paul Davis and Stephen Foster. The ceremony also features some of music’s biggest names paying tribute to the inductees and attending the event. In years past such country music luminaries as Garth Brooks, Toby Keith, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Jimmy Buffett, Gretchen Wilson, Jimmy Wayne, the Del McCoury Band, Barbara Mandrell and Raul Malo, to list but a few, have performed at or attended the event.

Established in 1970, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame boasts 179 members, including songwriting luminaries such as Max T. Barnes, Johnny Cash, Rodney Crowell, Bob Dylan, Don and Phil Everly, Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs, Vince Gill, Harlan Howard, Bob McDill, Roger Miller, Bill Monroe, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Carl Perkins, Dottie Rambo, Jimmie Rodgers, Cindy Walker, Jimmy Webb, Hank Williams, Sr. and Hank Williams, Jr.

Induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a songwriter associated with the Nashville music community. In 2010 the Hall of Fame inducted Pat Alger, Steve Cropper, Paul Davis and Stephen Foster, with an honorary induction to Sir Paul McCartney.

Check back soon for more details on the 2011 Induction Ceremony.

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Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Member Charlie Louvin Passes Away

January 26 2011

Louvin’s career spanned 6 decades, starting in the 1940’s when he performed with his brother, Ira. He and Ira had their first #1 hit in 1956, with “I Don’t Believe You’ve Met My Baby.” Recently, Charlie had begun recording again, his 2007 album – his first in 10 years, earned a Grammy nomination and he released his latest album, 'The Battles Rage' on November 9.

During his career, Charlie won 2 Grammies, received the "Living Legend" award from the Major Independent Record Labels, and has received more than 12 BMI performance awards.

He is survived by his wife Betty, and three sons, Charlie Jr. (Sonny), Glenn and Kenneth.

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Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation Elects New Board Members

January 11 2011

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation (NaSHOF) has elected newly inducted Hall of Fame songwriter Pat Alger and veteran songwriter and publisher Steve Bogard to its 2011/2012 Board of Directors. The Board also elected John Van Mol to serve as Chairman of the Foundation. Van Mol will succeed Roger Murrah, who steps down after five years of dedicated service to the organization as Chairman.

“It’s certainly an honor and a privilege to serve the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation,” said Van Mol, CEO of Dye, Van Mol & Lawrence. “I’m grateful to have the opportunity to build upon the great work of the Foundation and will do my very best to uphold, honor and expand the legacy of the legendary songwriters the Hall of Fame represents.

"Additionally, we're very pleased to welcome Pat Alger and Steve Bogard to our board," said Van Mol. "Pat and Steve exemplify the exceptional talent, ingenuity and perseverance it takes to have successful and impressive careers in the music industry and I expect them to be excellent additions to the board.”

The NaSHOF Board also elected its 2011 officers. In addition to Van Mol serving as Chair, other officers are: Vice Chair Wayland Holyfield, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member; Treasurer Pete Fisher, Vice President/General Manager, Grand Ole Opry, Gaylord Entertainment and Secretary Layng Martine, Jr., songwriter.

Also serving on the Board of Directors are: Mike Dye, Managing Partner, GroupXcel; Kye Fleming, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member; Becky Judd, Executive Assistant to Mike Curb, Curb Records; Dr. Bethel Thomas, Vice President of University Advancement, Belmont University; Troy Tomlinson, President and CEO of Sony/ATV Music Nashville and Mike Vaden, Director, Decosimo/Vaden. Ex-officio members serving on the board are entertainment attorney David L. Maddox (Counsel), David L. Maddox & Associates, P.C. and author/entertainment journalist Robert K. Oermann (Historian). Jeff Skillen is the board's Director of Development, while Nashville Songwriter Association International’s Mark Ford serves as Manager of Affairs.

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. is a non- profit foundation that owns and operates the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. The NaSHOF's principal purposes are to educate, archive, celebrate and honor the legacy of songwriting that is uniquely associated with the Nashville music community.

Established in 1970, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame boasts 179 members, including songwriting luminaries such as Max T. Barnes, Johnny Cash, Rodney Crowell, Bob Dylan, Don and Phil Everly, Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs, Vince Gill, Harlan Howard, Bob McDill, Roger Miller, Bill Monroe, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Carl Perkins, Dottie Rambo, Jimmie Rodgers, Cindy Walker, Jimmy Webb, Hank Williams, Sr. and Hank Williams, Jr. Induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a songwriter associated with the Nashville music community. In 2010 the Hall of Fame inducted Pat Alger, Steve Cropper, Paul Davis and Stephen Foster, with an honorary induction to Sir Paul McCartney.

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2010 Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

October 19 2010

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Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Inducts Pat Alger, Steve Cropper, late Pop/Country star Paul Davi

October 18 2010

Hit songwriters Pat Alger and Steve Cropper, late Pop/Country star Paul Davis and America’s first professional songwriter, Stephen Foster, were inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall Fame during the organization's 40th Anniversary Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony, held last night at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel. Presented by AT&T, the event celebrated the musical contributions of the newest inductees through star-studded performances of some of their biggest hits. "How fitting it is for us to recognize these incredibly gifted songwriters in this manner. If there was a way to calculate the emotional effect their songs have had on our lives, it would boggle our minds," said Roger Murrah, Chairman of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation (NaSHOF).

Stephen Foster was inducted by Tamara Saviano, Grammy winning producer of Beautiful Dreamer: The Songs of Stephen Foster. Mockingbird Sun performed a medley of some of Foster’s most recognizable songs, including “Oh Susanna,” “Farewell My Lilly Dear,” “Beautiful Dreamer” and “My Old Kentucky Home.” Americana artist Jim Lauderdale closed out the set with “Hard Times Come Again No More.” Accepting for Foster was Blair School of Music Professor of Musicology Dale Cockrell.

Hall of Fame songwriter Paul Overstreet inducted Paul Davis. Longtime friends J. Fred Knobloch, Kyle Lehning, Ed Seay, Ronn Price, Anthony Martin and Jennifer Kimball performed a medley of hits including: “Cool Night,” “I Go Crazy,” “Ride ‘Em Cowboy,” “‘65 Love Affair,” “Bop” and “Sweet Life” before Tanya Tucker took the stage to perform “Love Me Like You Used To." Davis’ son Jonathan, accepted for his father.

Steve Cropper was inducted by music legend Tony Brown. Tyler Bryant performed a medley of the Cropper compositions including “Green Onions” and "In The Midnight Hour." Longtime friend T. Graham Brown closed out the set with his performance of “(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay."

Pat Alger was inducted by Hall of Fame songwriter Allen Reynolds. One of country music’s most soulful singers Jimmy Wayne performed a medley of the Alger songs “Goin’ Gone,” “True Love” and “Small Town Saturday Night.” Music icon Garth Brooks closed out the set with performances of "Unanswered Prayers," "That Summer" and "The Thunder Rolls."

In a special tribute alongside the hall of fame inductions, Foundation Board Member Layng Martine, Jr. presented the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation Mentor Award to longtime BMI CEO Frances Preston, which, in her honor, has been named the Frances Williams Preston Mentor Award.

“When it comes to music industry executives, Frances is an icon,” said Murrah. “She’s loved and respected around the world and has certainly done more than her share of mentoring others, so it is only fitting that this award be named for her.”

In addition to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductions, NaSHOF's sister organization, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), presented its annual Songwriter Achievement Awards.

The organization's professional songwriter members voted "The House That Built Me," by Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin, as their Song of the Year. The Songwriter of the Year prize went to Chris DuBois, co-writer of hits such as Brad Paisley’s “Then” and “Welcome To The Future,” as well as Craig Morgan’s “This Ain’t Nothin’.”

The Songwriter/Artist of the Year was presented for the third time in four years to Taylor Swift, who scored self-penned hits of her own, such as “Fifteen,” “Love Story” and “You Belong With Me.”

Besides honoring the Song, Songwriters and Songwriter/Artists, the writers of NSAI's Professional Songwriters Division also singled out 10 songs and their writers for the organization's 2010 awards, informally dubbed "The Songs I Wish I'd Written." (Because of a tie this year, 11 songs were honored.) Recipients were “A Little More Country Than That” (Rory Lee Feek, Don Poythress, Wynn Varble / recorded by Easton Corbin); “Big Green Tractor” (Jim Collins, David Lee Murphy / recorded by Jason Aldean); “I Run To You” (Tom Douglas, Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott / recorded by Lady Antebellum); “Need You Now” (Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott / recorded by Lady Antebellum); “Red Light” (Dennis Matkosky, Melissa Peirce, Jonathan Singleton / recorded by David Nail); “Southern Voice” (Bob DiPiero, Tom Douglas / recorded by Tim McGraw); “The Climb” (Jessi Alexander, Jon Mabe / recorded by Miley Cyrus); “The House That Built Me” (Tom Douglas, Allen Shamblin / recorded by Miranda Lambert); “Use Somebody” (Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill, Nathan Followill / recorded by Kings Of Leon); “White Liar” (Natalie Hemby, Miranda Lambert / recorded by Miranda Lambert); “You Belong With Me” (Liz Rose, Taylor Swift / recorded by Taylor Swift).

In addition to the annual awards, NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison and NSAI President Steve Bogard presented the President’s Choice Award to Nashville’s Mayor Karl Dean for his support of and dedication to songwriters.

The evening was presented by AT&T and Bronze Sponsors Bug Music, Inc. and Fontanel Mansion & Farm.

PHOTO (L--R): Hall of Fame Inductees Pat Alger and Steve Cropper; Mentor Award Winner Frances Preston; AT&T President/Tennessee Gregg Morton and Roger Murrah, Chairman of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation.

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Frances Preston to be Presented with Mentor Award

September 28 2010

Frances Preston will be presented with the Mentor Award during the upcoming Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony on October 17th, 2010, it was announced today by Roger Murrah, Chairman of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation. Preston is one of the industry’s most influential and beloved executives.

"Frances is the consummate mentor," said Murrah. "She has mentored an industry of dreamers and professionals. The award could not be going to a more deserving person."

Frances W. Preston influenced and nurtured the careers of thousands of songwriters, performers and publishers in all genres of music during her five-decade career at BMI. In 1958 she opened a Nashville office for BMI, the first performing rights entity with a full-time presence in the South, and her championing of young talent and support of the fledgling music business community helped establish Nashville as a creative center.

Mrs. Preston was promoted to vice president in 1964, reportedly the first woman corporate executive in Tennessee, and was named president and CEO of BMI in 1986, serving in that role until 2004. Her numerous awards and accolades include induction to the Country Music and Gospel Music Halls of Fame, CMA’s Irving Waugh Award of Excellence, a National Trustees Award from the Recording Academy, Person of the Year at MIDEM (the highest international award accorded to a music industry executive), and the President’s Award from the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI).

Recognized around the world as a vigilant defender of the rights of music creators, she is also known as a tenacious and effective community volunteer, particularly through her service as president of the board of directors of the T. J. Martell Foundation for Leukemia, Cancer and AIDS Research, as well as namesake of the Frances Williams Preston Research Laboratories at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony is one of the music industry’s foremost events of the year. The evening features tributes and performances of the inductees’ songs by special guest artists. NaSHOF’s sister organization, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), also presents its annual awards for the year’s Best Song, Songwriter and Songwriter/Artist, as well as the Top 10 “Songs I Wish I Had Written,” as determined by the professional songwriters division.

The 40th Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony is presented by AT&T, and will take place at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel. Tickets for the event are $200 each. A limited number of seats are available to the public this year and may be purchased by contacting event director Mark Ford at 615 256 3354 or hoftix@nashvillesongwriters.com.

About the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame:Established in 1970, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame boasts 171 members, including songwriting luminaries such as Johnny Cash, Rodney Crowell, Bob Dylan, Don & Phil Everly, Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs, Vince Gill, Harlan Howard, Bob McDill, Roger Miller, Bill Monroe, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Carl Perkins, Dottie Rambo, Jimmie Rodgers, Cindy Walker, Jimmy Webb, Hank Williams, Sr. and Hank Williams, Jr. It was announced in September 2007 that the future home of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame will be the historic building at 34 Music Square East, former home of the Quonset Hut, Columbia Studio A, Columbia and Epic Records and Sony Music Nashville. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame will become the first organization honoring songwriters to emerge from a virtual entity to one with a physical location. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit foundation dedicated to honoring and preserving the songwriting legacy of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. The NaSHOF’s principal purposes are to educate, archive and celebrate songwriting that is uniquely associated with the Nashville music community. More information is available at http://www.nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com/.

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Sir Paul McCartney Receives Honorary Induction to Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame

September 7 2010

Photo Caption: Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation Chairman and Bug Music Senior Vice President, Nashville, Roger Murrah (l), and CMA board member and member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Bob DiPiero (r), present Paul McCartney with the honor.

Sir Paul McCartney was presented an Honorary Induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame just minutes prior to his acclaimed performance at Nashville's the Bridgestone Arena on July 26, it was announced today by Roger Murrah, board chairman of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation.

"We are honored to bestow on Music City’s visiting guest, Sir Paul McCartney, an Honorary Induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame." Murrah said. "Creative exchanges constantly occur between music genres from around the world. In this way, Nashville songwriters have influenced Paul and, with his amazing body of work, Paul has certainly influenced Nashville songwriters."

Two of Nashville’s most talented and award winning songwriters, as well as members of the Songwriters Hall of Fame in their own right, concur.

"Paul’s songs have always been an inspiration to me," noted 2009 inductee Kye Fleming. "I still have my original Meet The Beatles LP. It is in my office right now. I bought it when I was 13...coincidence that I started writing songs when I was 14? I don't think so! ‘nuff said."

Gary Burr, who was inducted in 2005, noted, "what I learned from Paul McCartney: every time I write a song and get to the bridge I try to make the bridge strong enough and different enough that it could have been another song's chorus. That's what Paul always seemed to be able to do. Whether it's going to a minor chord unexpectedly or changing the rhythm, he always pushed that extra mile in his writing. When you are writing a song in G and go to the E minor for the bridge ....you are not trying very hard. ...and you are NOT channeling Paul McCartney."

Painted and etched into glass, the plaque that was presented reads "In celebration of the art of songwriting and the creative spirit shared by you and our members to which you have so richly contributed, we the board of directors do hereby present to you Sir Paul McCartney an Honorary Induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, July 26th, 2010.

More than 70 Paul McCartney songs have been recorded by Music City artists. The following listing is just a tiny fraction of his hundreds of Nashville-oriented “cuts.”

“Across the Universe”Bill Lloyd 2004“All My Loving”Mundo Earwood 1982, top-60 countrySuzy Bogguss 1995“All You Need Is Love”The Anita Kerr Singers 1967“And I Love Her”Chet Atkins 1966Pat Coil & Phil Keaggy 2005“And Your Bird Can Sing”The Charles River Valley Boys 1966“Baby’s in Black”Flynnville Train 2007“Band on the Run”Owsley 1999“Because”Dan Dugmore 2003“Blackbird” Adrian Belew 1993Collin Raye 2000The Zac Brown Band 2010“Can’t Buy Me Love”Brenda Lee 1964Shenandoah 1995Rod McGaha 1999“Come Together”Delbert McClinton 1995Johnny Jones 2001“Don’t Let Me Down”Dillard & Clark 1969Charles Walker 2001“Eight Days a Week”Lorrie Morgan 1989The Larry Stephenson Band 1991“Eleanor Rigby”Bobbie Gentry 1968Country Gazette 1978“The Fool on the Hill”Ray Stevens 1969Charlie McCoy 1989Kirk Whalum 2008“For No One”Emmylou Harris 1975Maura O’Connell 1991“From Me To You”The Crickets 1964Debby Boone 1977“Get Back”Jessi Colter 1976Steve Wariner 1995The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band 2004“Got to Get You Into My Life”Beegie Adair 2008“A Hard Day’s Night”Dave Dudley 1968“Help!”The Newbeats 1965The Allman Joys 1973Dolly Parton 1979Little Texas 1995“Here, There and Everywhere”Emmylou Harris 1975The Nashville Mandolin Ensemble 2003Jack Jezzro 2008“Hey Jude”Ray Stevens 1969John Hartford 1970Earl Scruggs 1971Jessi Colter 1976Pete Drake 1999“I Don’t Want to Spoil the Party”Rosanne Cash 1989, #1 country“I Feel Fine”Sweethearts of the Rodeo 1989, top-10 country“I Saw Her Standing There”Jerry Lee Lewis 2006“I Want to Hold Your Hand”Homer & Jethro 1964, top-50 country“I Will”Eddy Arnold 1975Alison Krauss & Tony Furtado 1992Kathy Mattea 1994“If I Fell”Don Williams & Pozo Seco Singers 1970Sammy Kershaw 1995Reba McEntire 2001“I’ll Cry Instead”Chet Atkins 1966“I’ll Follow the Sun”Floyd Cramer 1965David Ball 1995“I’m Down”New Grass Revival 1989Fred James 2001The Kentucky HeadHunters 2005“I’m Happy Just to Dance with You”Anne Murray 1980, top-20 country“I’m Only Sleeping”Lobo 1974Rosanne Cash 1995“In My Life”Susan Ashton & Gary Chapman 1995David Allan Coe 1999Ray Price 2000Johnny Cash 2002“I’ve Just Seen a Face”Pure Prairie League & Vince Gill 1974Dickey Lee 1977Calamity Jane 1982 top-40 countryThe Forester Sisters 1988Leon Russell & New Grass Revival 2001“Julia”Dan Dugmore 2003“Junior’s Farm”Paul McCartney & Wings 1974“Lady Madonna”Area Code 615 1969Buck Owens 1976Tommy Emmanuel 1986“Let ‘Em In”Chet Atkins 1981“Let it Be”Jan Howard 1970Gary Scruggs 1970Collin Raye 1995Anne Murray 1999Roscoe Shelton 2001“The Long and Winding Road”Olivia Newton-John 1976John Berry 1995“Love Me Do”Sam Levine 2008“Michelle”Bobby Goldsboro 1966Boots Randolph 1968Bela Fleck & The Flecktones 1991“Mother Nature’s Son”John Denver 1972Evan Marshall 1990“Mull of Kintyre”Glen Campbell 1983George Hamilton IV 2003“Norwegian Wood”Waylon Jennings 1966Vassar Clements 1973“Nowhere Man”Red Knuckles & The Trailblazers 1993Randy Travis 1995“Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da”Wanda Jackson 1973Jim Horn 2001“Oh Darling”Bela Fleck & The Flecktones 1995Earl Gaines 2001“One After 909”Willie Nelson 1995“Paperback Writer”Kenny Rogers 1974Herb Pedersen 1976Kris Kristofferson 1995“Please Please Me”The Crickets 1964Sonny Curtis 1964“Sally G”Paul McCartney & Wings 1975, top-50 countryLloyd Green 1976“She Loves YouBrenda Lee 1964Chet Atkins 1966“She’s a Woman”Chet Atkins 1966“Silly Love Songs”Pat Coil 2005“Step Inside Love”Charlie McCoy 1989“Strawberry Fields Forever”Terri Hollowell 1979The Nashville Superpickers 1995“Things We Said Today”Dwight Yoakam 1992“This Boy”Delbert McClinton 1965“Ticket to Ride”Glen Campbell 1965Hayseed Dixie 2006“We Can Work it Out”The Dillards 1979Phil Keaggy 1995“What Goes On”The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band 1970The Seldom Scene 1988“When I’m 64”John Denver 1969“Why Don’t We Do it in the Road”Fred James 2001“With a Little Help From My Friends”Earl Scruggs 1971The Nashville Mandolin Ensemble 2003“With a Little Luck”Pat Coil 2005“A World Without Love”The Mavericks 1999“Yellow Submarine”The Charles River Valley Boys 1966“Yesterday”Willie Nelson 1966Jeannie Seely 1966Jim Ed Brown 1966Wilma Burgess 1967Marty Robbins 1968Ray Price 1968Tammy Wynette 1968The Country Gentlemen 1970Billie Jo Spears 1979, top-60 countryRoy Drusky 1980Cristy Lane 1986Merle Haggard 1987Billy Dean 1995LeAnn Rimes 1997Freddy Fender 2004“You Won’t See Me”Anne Murray 1974, top-10 pop“You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away”Waylon Jennings 1967The Kentucky HeadHunters 1994

Established in 1970, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame boasts 176 members, including songwriting luminaries such as Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, Johnny Cash, Rodney Crowell, Bob Dylan, Don and Phil Everly, Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs, Bob DiPiero, Harlan Howard, Bob McDill, Roger Miller, Bill Monroe, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Carl Perkins, Dottie Rambo, Jimmie Rodgers, Cindy Walker, Jimmy Webb, Hank Williams, Sr. and Hank Williams, Jr. Induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame is the highest honor that can be given to a songwriter associated with the Nashville music community. In 2009 the Hall of Fame inducted Kye Fleming, Mark D. Sanders, and Tammy Wynette.

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit foundation that owns and operates the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. The principal purposes of the Foundation are to educate, archive, celebrate and honor the legacy of songwriting that is uniquely associated with the Nashville music community.

Photo by: MJ Kim

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Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame to Induct Pat Alger, Steve Cropper, Paul Davis, and Stephen Foste

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation (NaSHOF) is pleased to announce this year’s inductees for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame: from the Songwriter category, hit writers Pat Alger and Steve Cropper ; from the Songwriter/Artist category, the late Pop/Country star Paul Davis; and by special induction, America’s first professional songwriter Stephen Foster.

The four new inductees will be welcomed into the elite songwriting fraternity by their peers at the 40th Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony, presented by AT&T, on Sunday, October 17, at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel.

“Pat, Steve, Paul and certainly Mr. Foster have all written remarkable songs that we’ve lived our lives by through the years, and all of them are so deserving as Hall of Fame inductees,” said Roger Murrah, Chairman of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation. “Stephen Foster was writing songs before we even had genres.”Alger’s songwriter credits include hits such as “Goin’ Gone” (Kathy Mattea) and “The Thunder Rolls” (Garth Brooks). Cropper’s resume is known for Pop/R&B classics such as “(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay” (Otis Redding) and “In The Midnight Hour” (Wilson Pickett). Davis popularized many of his own compositions, “I Go Crazy” and “Sweet Life.” Foster, regarded as America’s first professional songwriter, is remembered for Civil-War-era compositions such as “Camptown Races” and “Oh! Susanna.”

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony is one of the music industry’s foremost events of the year. The evening features tributes and performances of the inductees’ songs by special guest artists. NaSHOF’s sister organization, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), also presents its annual awards for the year’s Best Song, Songwriter and Songwriter/Artist, as well as the Top 10 “Songs I Wish I Had Written,” as determined by the professional songwriters division.

Tickets for the event are $200 each. A limited number of seats are available to the public this year and may be purchased by contacting event director Mark Ford at 615-256-3354 or hoftix@nashvillesongwriters.com.

About the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame:Established in 1970, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame boasts 171 members, including songwriting luminaries such as Johnny Cash, Rodney Crowell, Bob Dylan, Don & Phil Everly, Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs, Vince Gill, Harlan Howard, Bob McDill, Roger Miller, Bill Monroe, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Carl Perkins, Dottie Rambo, Jimmie Rodgers, Cindy Walker, Jimmy Webb, Hank Williams, Sr. and Hank Williams, Jr. It was announced in September 2007 that the future home of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame will be the historic building at 34 Music Square East, former home of the Quonset Hut, Columbia Studio A, Columbia and Epic Records and Sony Music Nashville. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame will become the first organization honoring songwriters to emerge from a virtual entity to one with a physical location. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit foundation dedicated to honoring and preserving the songwriting legacy of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. The NaSHOF’s principal purposes are to educate, archive and celebrate songwriting that is uniquely associated with the Nashville music community. More information is available at http://www.nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com.

Inductee Biographical Information:

Pat Alger was born in Long Island City, N.Y., but was raised in his mother’s birthplace of LaGrange, Ga. While in college in the ’60s, Pat started writing songs and performing at Atlanta folk clubs. Moving to Woodstock, N.Y. in the ’70s, he made three albums with the Woodstock Mountain Revue for Rounder Records and a duet album with guitarist Artie Traum. Pat had his first hit with Folk-Pop artist Livingston Taylor (“First Time Love”) in 1980, then decided to move to Nashville. Slowly, established artists like Mickey Gilley, Dolly Parton, Brenda Lee and the Everly Brothers began to record his material, followed by new artists like Kathy Mattea (“Goin’ Gone” and “She Came From Fort Worth”), Nanci Griffith (“Lone Star State Of Mind”) and Hal Ketchum (“Small Town Saturday Night”). Pat’s songwriting collaborations with Garth Brooks yielded four #1 records for him (“The Thunder Rolls,” “Unanswered Prayers,” “What She’s Doing Now” and “That Summer”), as well as the Trisha Yearwood hit “Like We Never Had A Broken Heart.” In 1991, Pat was named NSAI Songwriter of the Year. In 1992, he was ASCAP’s Country Songwriter of the Year.

Rising to prominence in the studios of Memphis, Missouri native Steve Cropper’s first successes were instrumentals he wrote for his bands The Mar-Keys and Booker T. & The MGs. Steve became the “house” guitarist at Stax Records and was soon contributing to hits by Sam & Dave, Carla Thomas, Eddie Floyd, Johnnie Taylor, Rufus Thomas, Wilson Pickett and Otis Redding. Steve’s classics include “(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay,” “In The Midnight Hour,” “Green Onions,” “Knock on Wood,” “See Saw,” “634-5789 (Soulsville, USA)” and “Time Is Tight.” These were all Pop and R&B hits that have been frequently covered by Nashville artists. In the 1970s, Steve recorded and toured with Levon Helm and The Blues Brothers. He moved to Nashville in 1988. Along with the other MGs, he was inducted into the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. In 2008, he teamed up with fellow Nashvillian Felix Cavaliere to record Nudge It Up a Notch, which was nominated for a Grammy and consists of recent songs the two co-wrote.

The late Paul Davis (1948-2008) was a native of Meridian, Miss. who achieved fame both as a hit vocalist and a hit songwriter. Beginning his career as an R&B songwriter in Jackson, Miss. at Malaco Records, Paul was later discovered by producer/songwriter Bert Berns and signed as an artist to Berns’ Bang Records in 1969. Between 1970 and 1982, Paul had a string of self-penned hits that fared particularly well on the Adult Contemporary charts: “I Go Crazy,” “Sweet Life” and “Do Right.” Signing with Arista Records in 1981, his successes continued with “Cool Night” and “’65 Love Affair.” In 1984, Paul decided to pursue songwriting full-time in Nashville, where he scored hits with Dan Seals (“Bop” and “Meet Me In Montana” [duet with Marie Osmond]), Tanya Tucker (“Love Me Like You Used To” and “Down To My Last Teardrop”) and Lorrie Morgan (“Back In Your Arms Again”). Though not a prolific writer, a strikingly high percentage of Paul’s songs became enormously successful throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He died suddenly of a heart attack on April 22, 2008, the day after his 60th birthday.

Nashville’s songwriters trace their professional lineage back to Stephen Foster (1826-1864), widely regarded as America’s first professional songwriter. Though most of his songs were no doubt composed during the last two decades of his 38-year life, Foster’s copyrights continue to endure nearly 150 years after his death – national standards such as “Beautiful Dreamer,” “Camptown Races,” “Hard Times Come Again No More,” “Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair,” “My Old Kentucky Home,” “Oh! Susanna” and “Old Folks At Home,” perhaps better known as “Way Down Upon The Swanee River.” Two of his songs have been named official state songs -- “My Old Kentucky Home” for Kentucky; “Old Folks At Home” for Florida.

Foster not only struggled to support his family by writing songs as a vocation, he established the very idea that writing songs full-time could be a vocation. Foster sold his early songs outright for a few dollars apiece. Once he was established as a songwriter, the Pennsylvania native was able to bargain for what are known as royalties today, payment for the sale of each piece of sheet music. This marked a turning point for songwriters, which was later cemented with the passage of the 1909 copyright law.

Though Foster died before the end of the Civil War with a scrap of lyric and fewer than 50 cents in his pocket, his songs have been covered by a Who’s Who of music legends, among them The Beatles, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, even Spike Jones. Nashville particularly has been well represented in Foster’s catalogue thanks to numerous recordings from luminaries such as Chet Atkins, Gene Autry, David Ball, Suzy Bogguss, Johnny Cash, Floyd Cramer, Crystal Gayle, Don Gibson, Nanci Griffith, Emmylou Harris, Grandpa Jones, Alison Krauss, Jerry Lee Lewis, Raul Malo, Roy Orbison, John Prine, Charlie Rich, Marty Robbins, Hank Snow, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Sons of the Pioneers, Porter Wagoner and Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys.

To date, three Hollywood movies have been made about Foster’s life (1935, 1939, 1952). In 1970, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York. In 2005, Beautiful Dreamer, a Nashville-produced compilation album of 18 Foster songs, won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album.

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Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Member Hank Cochran Passes Away

July 16 2010

1974 Hall Of Fame Inductee, Hank Cochran, known for his many hits including “I Fall To Pieces,” "She’s Got You" and “Make The World Go Away,” died peacefully at his home in Hendersonville, TN on July 15, surrounded by his family and friends.The night before he passed away, Cochran visited with friends Jamey Johnson, Billy Ray Cyrus and Buddy Cannon, who dropped by to sing songs with him.Cochran is survived by wife Suzi and four children. A private memorial will be held and a public service will follow. Details will be forthcoming. The family asks for privacy at this time and, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation.

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Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Presents Flood Victims Benefit at Fontanel

January 22 2010

Nashville’s newest outdoor concert venue, The Woods at Fontanel, Anchor Trailways & Tours and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation will present Songwriters Sing for Nashville, a benefit for flood relief, on Saturday, July 17, 2010 from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m.

The special concert, and the first event at the beautiful amphitheatre, will bring together one of the most impressive groups of Hall of Fame songwriters ever assembled on one stage for an evening of wonderful music for a great cause.

“We’re honored to share this exciting occasion with our friends at The Woods at Fontanel and Anchor Trailways & Tours,” said Roger Murrah, hit songwriter and Board Chairman of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation. “What a pleasure it will be to join our efforts and resources to help relieve those who are still trying to recover from the Nashville flood. Our performing hall of fame members will be inspired by this great cause and the beautiful grounds surrounding this new venue to sing their classic songs from their hearts.”

Songwriters slated to join Murrah on stage include Matraca Berg, Kye Fleming, Dallas Frazier, Dickey Lee, Dennis Morgan, Hugh Prestwood, Mark D. Sanders, Don Wayne, Jim Weatherly, Mike Reid, and a few surprise guests are likely to hit the stage.

All ticket proceeds and all receipts from the day’s tours at the Fontanel Mansion will be donated to First Tennessee Bank for flood relief. “Just the thought of these incredibly gifted songwriters performing together on one stage is almost too good to be true,” said Marc Oswald, co-owner of Fontanel and manager of country stars Gretchen Wilson, John Rich and others. “It should come as no surprise that the Hall of Fame songwriters are donating all of the proceeds from this show to the victims of Nashville’s historic flood. We really wanted the first ever performance at The Woods amphitheatre to be special. And we got our wish.”

Tickets to Songwriters Sing for Nashville , a benefit for flood relief, will be $20.00 per person and can be purchased immediately at www.ticketmaster.com. Children 12 and under are admitted free.

At the press conference on The Woods stage today, Anchor Trailways and Tours presented a check in the amount of $10,000 to get the flood relief fund started so people in need can begin to apply and get much needed help. Anchor Trailways and Tours, who provides transportation for the Mansion at Fontanel tours also announced they will be donating their services on the day of the concert.

Walter Hunt, Nashville Metropolitan Councilman for the 3rd District, explained the process of applying for funds from the account established at First Tennessee Bank during today’s press conference. Applications will be available at most First Tennessee Banks in the Nashville area, and donations can also be made at any First Tennessee location. The certified public accounting firm of Hoskins and Company, Harvey Hoskins, CEO, will assess the needs and forward the application to First Tennessee Bank for payment on a case-by-case basis. The intention of the fund is to assist families affected by last month’s floods with short-term bills including, but not limited to, mortgage and rent payments, utility bills, etc. “With the ongoing traumatic stress, financial strain and frustration people have had to endure because of the flood disaster, it is so worthwhile and an honor to assist people of the 3rd District and the city of Nashville,” said Councilman Hunt. “It is also a wonderful opportunity to work with the Fontanel owners, songwriters and the Fontanel team.”

About the Fontanel Mansion & Farm: The Fontanel Mansion, a 27,000 square foot log home formerly owned by Country Music Hall of Fame® member Barbara Mandrell, will open to the public on June 7, 2010. Located less than 15 minutes from downtown Nashville, TN.

The Woods at Fontanel is an outdoor music venue surrounded by the woods of the Fontanel property. This new venue showcases major artists in an intimate format that no one will have a chance to see anywhere else. For more information visit www.fontanelmansion.com.

Pictured above (L to R): Marc Oswald co-owner of Fontanel Mansion and Farm, Karen Graves of First Tennessee Bank, Councilman Walter Hunt, Ken Hoskins CPA, John Stancil of Anchor Trailways & Tours, Vice Mayor Diane Neighbors, Alex Marks of Tower Investments, Jared Stancil of Anchor Trailways & Tours, Tom Morales of TomKats, Inc. and Roger Murrah of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation.

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Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Elects New Board Member and 2010 Officers

January 21 2010

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation (NaSHOF) has elected newly inducted Hall of Fame songwriter, Kye Fleming to its 2010/2011 Board of Directors.

"We're very pleased to welcome Kye to our board," said Roger Murrah, Chairman of the NaSHOF Board, Bug Music Senior Vice President, Nashville, and a 2005 inductee into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. "Kye exemplifies the exceptional talent and long-standing resilience it takes to have a successful and impressive career as a songwriter."

The NaSHOF Board also elected its 2010 officers. Murrah will serve a fifth term as Chair. Other officers are: Vice Chair - Wayland Holyfield, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member; Vice Chair - John Van Mol, CEO of Dye, Van Mol & Lawrence; Treasurer - Pete Fisher, Vice President/General Manager, Grand Ole Opry, Gaylord Entertainment; and Secretary - Layng Martine, Jr., songwriter.

Also serving on the Board of Directors are: Mike Dye, Managing Partner, GroupXcel; Lisa Harless, Sr. VP, Private Client Services of Regions Bank; Kelli Gabriel, Senior Vice President, Shoemaker Financial; Becky Judd, Executive Assistant to Mike Curb, Curb Records; Bo Thomas, Ph.D., Vice President for University Advancement, Belmont University; Troy Tomlinson, President and CEO of Sony/ATV Music Nashville; and Mike Vaden, Director, Decosimo/Vaden. Ex-officio members serving on the board are entertainment attorney David L. Maddox (Counsel), David L. Maddox & Associates, P.C., and author/entertainment journalist Robert K. Oermann (Historian). Jeff Skillen is the board's Director of Development, while Nashville Songwriter Association International’s Mark Ford serves as Manager of Affairs.

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit foundation that owns and operates the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. The NaSHOF's principal purposes are to educate, archive, celebrate and honor the legacy of songwriting that is uniquely associated with the Nashville music community.

Established in 1970, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame boasts 176 members, including songwriting luminaries such as Max T. Barnes, Johnny Cash, Rodney Crowell, Bob Dylan, Don and Phil Everly, Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs, Vince Gill, Harlan Howard, Bob McDill, Roger Miller, Bill Monroe, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Carl Perkins, Dottie Rambo, Jimmie Rodgers, Cindy Walker, Jimmy Webb, Hank Williams, Sr. and Hank Williams, Jr. Induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a songwriter associated with the Nashville music community. In 2009 the Hall of Fame inducted Kye Fleming, Mark D. Sanders, and Tammy Wynette.

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Congratulations Hall of Fame Members on Your 2010 Grammy Nominations!

January 20 2010

Four Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Members have been nominated in the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards:

Mac McAnally is nominated in the “Best Country Collaboration with Vocals” category for “Down the Road“(with Kenny Chesney).

Bobby Braddock , is nominated in the “Best Country Song”category for “People are Crazy,’” his thirteenth number one song.

Two Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Members are nominated in the new “Best Americana Album” category: Winner Willie Nelson , for Willie And The Wheel (with Asleep At The Wheel) and Bob Dylan for Together Through Life.

Congratulations to all the nominees!

The Grammy Awards will be televised on CBS, January 31, 2010.

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Kris Kristofferson Honored as BMI Icon

November 26 2009

1977 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, Kris Kristofferson was honored by BMI at the 57th BMI Country Awards. The annual event celebrates country music’s elite songwriters at the performing rights organization’s Music Row offices. Hosted by BMI President & CEO Del Bryant, BMI Vice President Writer/Publisher Relations; Jody Williams and BMI Assistant Vice President Writer/Publisher Relations; Clay Bradley, in addition to toasting the writers and publishers of the past year’s 50 most-performed country songs from the BMI repertoire, the highlight of the evening was the tribute to newly crowned BMI Icon Kris Kristofferson, featuring performances by Patty Griffin, Vince Gill, and Willie Nelson.

With the penetration of a poet and the humbling grace of a troubadour, Kris Kristofferson built a legendary career most recognized for its versatility, authenticity, and sheer brilliance. He has received 48 BMI Country and Pop Awards for his compositions including “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down,” “Why Me” “Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again)” “Me and Bobby McGee” “Help Me Make It Through the Night” which garnered seven BMI Country and four BMI Pop Awards, and “For the Good Times” which won a BMI Country Award each consecutive year between 1971 and 1979 as well as five BMI Pop Awards between 1970 and 1974. Eight of his compositions have generated substantially more than one million performances, and three Grammys line his shelves. While he wrote most of his masterpieces alone, his co-writers include giants Shel Silverstein, Marijohn Wilkin, and Fred Foster.

He has starred in numerous films, including Lone Star, the Blade trilogy, Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid, A Star Is Born, for which he garnered the Golden Globe trophy for Best Motion Picture Actor and Songwriter, and for which he received an Oscar nomination for Original Song Score. Along with Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Johnny Cash, Kristofferson also formed the Highwaymen. Still recording, now for New West Records, his latest album entitled “Closer to the Bone” was released in late September 2009. A Rhodes Scholar capable of choosing virtually any path, Kristofferson decided to write songs, and for that, purveyors and lovers of American music are eternally grateful.

Shown in photo (Left to Right): BMI President Del Bryant, Kris Kristofferson, Taylor Swift, BMI Songwriter of the Year Bobby Pinson, and BMI's Jody Williams.

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2009 Induction Ceremony

October 1 2009

Hit songwriters Kye Fleming and Mark D. Sanders and late Country music icon Tammy Wynette were inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall Fame during the organization's 39th Anniversary Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony, held last night at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel. Sponsored by AT&T, the event celebrated the musical contributions of the newest inductees through star-studded performances of some of their biggest hits

"What an honor it is to welcome Kye, Mark and Tammy into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. They have obviously demonstrated the talent and done the work that's worthy of such a tribute from the professional songwriting community," said Roger Murrah, Chairman of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation (NaSHOF).

Tammy Wynette was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame by Murrah. Raul Malo performed a beautiful rendition of "Til I Can Make It On My Own." Gaylord Entertainment provided a vintage video clip of Wynette performing her signature hit, "Stand By Your Man."

Kye Fleming was inducted by Barbara Mandrell. Eden's Edge performed a medley of "Give Me Wings," "Nobody," "Sleepin' Single In A Double Bed," "In Times Like These" and "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool" before Ronnie Milsap took the stage to perform "Smoky Mountain Rain" and "I Wouldn't Have Missed It For The World." Acknowledging the honor, Fleming said, "I'm honored to receive this award; it's drawn my attention to 30 years of a life I have loved. I deeply appreciate everyone who has co-created it with me."

Mark D. Sanders was inducted by Hall of Fame songwriter Bob DiPiero and longtime co-writer Tia Sillers. Shawn Camp, Megan Mullins and John Bolinger performed a medley that included "This Ain't No Thinkin' Thing," "Heads Carolina,Tails California," "Money in the Bank," "Daddy's Money," "No News," "It Matters To Me" and "Blue Clear Sky." Lee Ann Womack closed out the set with "I Hope You Dance." Sanders said, "When I was a young man playing basketball in high school and college I would dream about making the winning shot in the championship game. Tonight it feels like, some forty years later, that dream is really coming true."

In a special tribute alongside the hall of fame inductions, Hall of Fame songwriter Bob McDill named the late Bill Hall the recipient of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation Mentor Award. The award acknowledges those in the industry who have taken special care to nurture and encourage songwriters. The veteran publisher formed one of the most successful country music publishing companies in Nashville, Hall-Clement (BMI) and Jack and Bill (ASCAP). Known affectionately as the "Colonel," Hall passed away in 1983

In addition to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductions, NaSHOF's sister organization, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), presented its annual Songwriter Achievement Awards.

The organization's professional songwriter members voted "Waitin' On A Woman," by Don Sampson and Wynn Varble, as their Song of the Year.

The Songwriter of the Year prize went to Varble, co-writer of hits such as "Cheater Cheater" by Joey+Rory, "Sounds Like Life To Me" by Darryl Worley and "Waitin' On A Woman" by Brad Paisley.

The Songwriter/Artist of the Year was presented to Taylor Swift, who scored self-penned hits of her own such as "Love Story" and "Our Song."The Association also conveyed a pair of once-a-decade songwriting awards recognizing the prolificness of its recipients and their ability to create and achieve hit songs throughout the past 10 years.

Toby Keith was named Songwriter/Artist of the Decade (2000-2009) for his hits ranging from "Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue (The Angry American)" and "Who's Your Daddy?" to "As Good As I Once Was" and "God Love Her." Among his numerous awards, Keith earned NSAI's Songwriter/Artist of the Year honors in 2003, 2004 and 2006. He also earned BMI Songwriter of the Year honors in 2001, 2004 and 2006.

Craig Wiseman was named Songwriter of the Decade (2000-2009) for hits ranging from "The Good Stuff" by Kenny Chesney (2003 ACM Song of the Year) and "Believe" by Brooks & Dunn (2006 CMA Song of the Year) to "Summertime" by Kenny Chesney and "Love Is A Beautiful Thing" by Phil Vassar. Among Wiseman's numerous awards, he has been ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year three times (2003, 2005, 2007), and his "Live Like You Were Dying" by Tim McGraw earned a 2004 Grammy for Best Country Song, as well as Song of the Year honors from NSAI and the CMA. Besides honoring the Song, Songwriters and Songwriter/Artists, the writers of NSAI's Professional Songwriters Division also singled out 10 songs and their writers for the organization's 2009 awards, informally dubbed "The Songs I Wish I'd Written."

Recipients were "Down The Road" (Mac McAnally / recorded by Kenny Chesney & Mac McAnally); "Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven" (Jim Collins, Marty Dodson / recorded by Kenny Chesney); "I Told You So" (Randy Travis / recorded by Carrie Underwood); "In Color" (Jamey Johnson, Lee Thomas Miller, James Otto / recorded by Jamey Johnson); "Johnny & June" (Deanna Bryant, Heidi Newfield, Stephony Smith / recorded by Heidi Newfield); "Last Call" (Erin Enderlin, Shane McAnally / recorded by Lee Ann Womack); "People Are Crazy" (Bobby Braddock, Troy Jones / recorded by Billy Currington); "Troubadour" (Monty Holmes, Leslie Satcher / recorded by George Strait); "Waitin' On A Woman" (Don Sampson, Wynn Varble / recorded by Brad Paisley); "What Hurts The Most" (Steve Robson, Jeffrey Steele / recorded by Cascada).

Photo ID (l--r) are: Roger Murrah, Kye Fleming, Mark D. Sanders, Cathy Morton and Gregg Morton, President AT&T Tennessee.

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Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame to induct Kye Fleming, Mark D. Sanders and Tammy Wynette

August 31 2009

NASHVILLE, TN August 31, 2009 -- The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation (NaSHOF) is pleased to announce this year's inductees for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame: from the Songwriter category, prolific writers Kye Fleming and Mark D. Sanders; and from the Songwriter/Artist category, late Country music icon Tammy Wynette.

The three new inductees will be welcomed into the elite songwriting fraternity by their peers at the 39th Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony, presented by AT&T, on Sunday, October 18, at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel.

"Kye, Mark and Tammy have made many poignant and enduring contributions to the music world and certainly deserve to take their places among their gifted peers," said Roger Murrah, Chairman of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation. "It's an honor for us to recognize them for their outstanding accomplishments."

Fleming's songwriter credits include hits such as "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool" (Barbara Mandrell) and "Smoky Mountain Rain" (Ronnie Milsap). Sanders' resume is known for "I Hope You Dance" (Lee Ann Womack) and "It Matters To Me" (Faith Hill). Wynette popularized many of her own compositions, including the standard "Stand By Your Man" and "'Til I Can Make It On My Own."

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony is one of the music industry's foremost events of the year. The evening features tributes and performances of the inductees' songs by special guest artists. NaSHOF's sister organization, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), also presents its annual awards for the year's best Song, Songwriter and Songwriter/Artist, as well as the Top 10 "Songs I Wish I Had Written," as determined by its professional songwriters division. About the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame:Established in 1970, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame boasts 176 members, including songwriting luminaries such as Johnny Cash, Rodney Crowell, Bob Dylan, Don & Phil Everly, Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs, Vince Gill, Harlan Howard, Bob McDill, Roger Miller, Bill Monroe, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Carl Perkins, Dottie Rambo, Jimmie Rodgers, Cindy Walker, Jimmy Webb, Hank Williams, Sr. and Hank Williams, Jr. The future home of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame will be located in the historic building at 34 Music Square East, former home of Columbia Studio A, the Quonset Hut, Columbia and Epic Records and Sony Music Nashville. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame will become the first organization honoring songwriters to emerge from a virtual existence to a physical location. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit foundation dedicated to honoring and preserving the songwriting legacy of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. The NaSHOF's principal purposes are to educate, archive and celebrate songwriting that is uniquely associated with the Nashville music community.

Inductee Biographical InformationA "Navy brat" from Arkansas, Kye Fleming started writing songs at 14 and spenther early 20s on the Folk-music circuit performing original material. In 1977, she signed as a staff writer with Pi-Gem Music, where she and another young songwriter, Dennis Morgan, started collaborating. The catalog they created reads like a Country music greatest hits package of the '70s and '80s: "Years," "Sleeping Single In A Double Bed" and "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool" (Barbara Mandrell) "Smoky Mountain Rain" and "I Wouldn't Have Missed It For The World" (Ronnie Milsap), "Roll On Mississippi" (Charley Pride), as well as BMI's 1983 Country Song of the Year "Nobody" (Sylvia). Fleming was NSAI Songwriter of the Year in 1981 & 1982. She was BMI Country Songwriter of the Year in 1980, 1982 & 1983. She was BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year in 1981 & 1982. In 1987, her "Give Me Wings" (Michael Johnson) was named Billboard's Country Song of the Year. With more than 45 BMI awards - 10 of them earning Million-Air status - she is one of the most-awarded songwriters in Country music history.

California native Mark D. Sanders was a literature major, a basketball player and a surfer who, at the age of 29, came to Nashville to write songs. After 10 years, his career skyrocketed in the early 1990s, thanks to hits by Diamond Rio ("Mirror, Mirror"), Tracy Lawrence ("Runnin' Behind") and John Anderson ("Money In The Bank"). Mark was NSAI Songwriter of the Year in 1995 and 1996 and ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year in 1997. He had five #1 songs in 1995 alone. His "No News" (by Lonestar) was ASCAP's 1996 Country Song of the Year. He received four CMA Triple Play Awards, given for charting three #1 songs in a 12-month period. His "I Hope You Dance" (Lee Ann Womack) - named Song of the Year for NSAI, ASCAP, BMI, the ACM and the CMA - earned a 2000 Grammy for Best Country Song. He and co-writer Tia Sillers authored a book inspired by the song that has sold two million copies. Additionally, Mark's songs have been hits for artists such as George Strait ("Blue Clear Sky"), Ricochet ("Daddy's Money"), Faith Hill ("It Matters To Me") and Jack Ingram ("That's A Man").

The late Tammy Wynette (1942-1998), born Virginia Wynette Pugh in ItawambaCounty, Miss., spent her youth picking cotton, working as a beautician, a waitress and a shoe-factory employee before her rise to stardom. It was while working in Alabama as a hairdresser and a local entertainer that Tammy began making trips to Nashville, where she auditioned for Producer Billy Sherrill, who signed her to Epic Records in 1966. Tammy soon began writing songs and her collaborators included Sherrill, George Jones (to whom she was married from 1968-1975), Earl "Peanut" Montgomery and future husband George Richey. Tammy co-wrote her classic "Stand By Your Man," as well as her other Country hits "Another Lonely Song," "The Ways To Love A Man," "Two Story House," "We Sure Can Love Each Other" and "'Til I Can Make It On My Own" (also a hit for Kenny Rogers & Dottie West). Noted for her powerful, piercing vocal delivery, Tammy was named CMA Female Vocalist of the Year in 1968, 1969 and 1970. She died on April 6, 1998, at age 55 and was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame later that year.

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Congratulations Hall of Fame Members on Your 2009 CMA Nominations!

August 30 2009

The 2009 Country Music Awards Nominations honor veteran Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame members Mac McAnally and Bobby Braddock(/strong>.

Guitarist Mac McAnally is nominated in two categories this year: Musical Event of the Year and Musician of the Year. McAnnally’s tremendous work on “Down the Road” with Kenny Chesney resulted in Mac’s first Musical Event of the Year nomination. McAnnally is a third-time nominee for Musician of the Year, winning in this category in 2008.

Bobby Braddock has received his sixth nomination for Song of the Year for “People Are Crazy,” co-written with Troy Jones, recorded by Billy Currington. Braddock, with 13 number one singles to his credit, has already won Song of the Year twice in his career.

The 43rd Annual CMA Awards will be broadcast live on ABC Wednesday, November 11, 2009 from the Sommet Center in Nashville.

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Keith Urban Pays Tribute to Hall of Fame Members

June 3 2009

BMI recently hosted a party in honor of country superstar Keith Urban to recognize a series of his substantial career milestones and celebrate the release of his fifth studio album Defying Gravity. Urban has written or co-written 11 BMI Million-Air Award winning songs. Seven of his tunes have generated more than one million performances, while three have racked up more than two million performances each. “Somebody Like You” topped the list with more than three million performances, prompting BMI’s Jody Williams to note that Urban’s earnest love song has officially joined elite ranks that include Hank Williams’ “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings’ “Good Hearted Woman,” the Beatles’ “Can’t Buy Me Love,” and Janis Joplin’s “Me and Bobby McGee,” written by Kris Kristofferson.

After the announcement of these stunning accolades, Keith began his comments with a heartfelt tribute to the songwriters he first met with when he arrived in Nashville, including two Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame members.

“I really do want to thank the songwriters, because it really does start with the song. There are so many artists who come to town, and you hear it time and time again ‘They are just a hit away from being a star.’ It is always about the song. I feel really grateful that I’ve been able to get to know so many great songwriters in this town.

n 1990, when I came to Nashville for my first songwriting trip, I was signed to MCA publishing. My very first four days here in Nashville they hooked me up with a guy called Gary Burr, a guy called Dave Loggins, a guy called Trey Bruce, a guy called Austin Cunningham, and it was an amazing experience. To get to write with so many great writers in such a short space of time was quite the crash course.

For all the mornings that I would drive down to Music Row for that day’s writing appointment, often crying in the car on the way, because it was hard and I didn’t know if I could do it. It seemed like there were so many mornings of that – thrust together with somebody 10:00 a.m. who I’ve never met and we have to become intimate and write a song together by lunchtime. That went on for years, and I look back and realize that was an extraordinary and important part of songwriting for me. This town is so wonderful for that. I think the greatest writers are here. For the ones I’ve been able to collaborate with and the ones who have offered me their songs, I’m truly grateful. I thank all of them tonight.” said Keith.

Urban’s touching speech highlighted the importance of a song and Nashville Songwriters to all artists. Keith also thanked the greater music community for making him and his wife, Academy Award winning actress Nicole Kidman, feel welcome in Nashville, where they currently live. The night ended with Urban treating the crowd to a performance of some of the songs honored.

You can listen to Kieth Urban's speech about Nashville Songwriters here .

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Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation Elects 2 New Board Members, 2009 Officers

March 10 2009

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation (NaSHOF) has elected Dr. Bethel "Bo" Thomas, Vice President for University Advancement, Belmont University; and Kelli L. Gabriel, Sr. Vice President and Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley in Nashville; to its 2009/2010 Board of Directors.

"We're delighted to welcome Bo and Kelli to our board," said Roger Murrah, Chairman of the NaSHOF Board, Bug Music Senior Vice President, Nashville, and a 2005 inductee into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. "Bo has been an integral part of our developing alliance with Belmont University, and both he and Kelli have the keen financial instincts to help guide us through the current economic conditions."

The NaSHOF Board also elected its 2009 officers. Murrah will serve a fourth term as Chair. Other officers are: Vice Chair - Wayland Holyfield,, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member; Vice Chair - John Van Mol, CEO of Dye, Van Mol & Lawrence; Secretary - Pete Fisher, Vice President/General Manager, Grand Ole Opry, Gaylord Entertainment; and Treasurer - Layng Martine, Jr., songwriter.

Also serving on the Board of Directors are: Mike Dye, Managing Partner, GroupXcel; Lisa Harless, Sr. VP, Private Client Services of Regions Bank; Becky Judd, Executive Assistant to Mike Curb, Curb Records; Jim McBride, songwriter; Troy Tomlinson, President and CEO of Sony/ATV Music Nashville; and Mike Vaden, Director, Decosimo/Vaden. Ex-officio members serving on the board are entertainment attorney David L. Maddox (Counsel), David L. Maddox & Associates, P.C., and author/entertainment journalist Robert K. Oermann (Historian). Jeff Skillen is the board's Director of Development, while NSAI's Mark Ford is Manager of Affairs.

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit foundation that owns and operates the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. The NaSHOF's principal purposes are to educate, archive, celebrate and honor the legacy of songwriting that is uniquely associated with the Nashville music community.

Established in 1970, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame boasts 171 members, including songwriting luminaries such as Max T. Barnes, Johnny Cash, Rodney Crowell, Bob Dylan, Don and Phil Everly, Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs, Vince Gill, Harlan Howard, Bob McDill, Roger Miller, Bill Monroe, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Carl Perkins, Dottie Rambo, Jimmie Rodgers, Cindy Walker, Jimmy Webb, Hank Williams, Sr. and Hank Williams, Jr. Induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a songwriter associated with the Nashville music community. In 2008 the Hall of Fame inducted Matraca Berg, John Hiatt and Tom Shapiro.

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Hall of Fame Songwriter Hank Williams, Jr. Honored as BMI Icon

November 12 2008

BMI Honored Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Member Hank Williams, Jr. as a BMI Icon at the 56th Annual BMI Country Awards. The annual event celebrates country music’s elite songwriters at the performing right organization’s Music Row offices. Hosted by BMI President and CEO Del Bryant and BMI Vice President Writer/Publisher Relations, Jody Williams, the highlight of the night was the all-star tribute to Hank, which included performances by Lynyrd Skynyrd, Gregg Allman, Robert Randolph, and Kenny Chesney.

Hank Williams, Jr.’s career has spanned 40 years and profiled the aspirations, trials and carousals of the everyman in an instantly recognizable voice. Nicknamed “Bocephus” by his legendary father Hank Williams, the younger Williams’ waggish songs and roguish persona have unified through their celebration of rebellion. A sly songwriter and robust vocalist capable of conveying startling emotion and making deceptively ordinary characters shine, he boasts a catalog that includes honky-tonk classics “All My Rowdy Friends Have Settled Down,” “Country Boy Can Survive,” “Born to Boogie,” “Dixie On My Mind,” “Family Tradition,” “Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound” and “Texas Women.” Each composition represents a candid piece of Williams himself: He wrote every song on that list alone.

In addition to 10 no. 1 singles, he found mainstream success on the pop charts and through penning and performing the multiple Emmy award-winning theme to Monday Night Football. Six of Williams’ albums reached platinum status, while 20 were certified gold and 13 reached the no. 1 spot on the charts. Today, a diverse slew of artists spanning hard rap/rocker Kid Rock to contemporary honky-tonker Gretchen Wilson embrace Williams’ prolific legacy, citing him as a definitive influence.

Williams was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2007. To learn more about Hank Williams Junior, visit his member page in the Hall of Fame.

Images and content courtesy of BMI, photographs by John Russell.

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Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Inducts Matraca Berg, Tom Shapiro, and John Hiatt

October 27 2008

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation (NaSHOF) welcomed hit songwriters Matraca Berg and Tom Shapiro and musical trailblazer John Hiatt into its elite ranks during the 39th Annual Nashville Songwriters Hall Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony held last night at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel. Sponsored by AT&T, the event celebrated the musical contributions of the newest inductees through star-studded performances of some of their biggest hits.

“We take pride each year in shining a spotlight on incredible songwriters who have helped create the very foundation of the music industry. We’re delighted to welcome Tom, Matraca and John into the Hall of Fame,” said Roger Murrah, Chairman of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation.

Tom Shapiro was inducted by WSIX on-air personality Gerry House, who called him “a great lyricist, an amazing melody guy and a great human being.” Shapiro co-writers Rivers Rutherford and Mark Nesler performed a medley of “Ain’t Nothin’ 'Bout You” and “You Look Good in My Shirt,” before Jo Dee Messina took the stage to perform “My Give a Damn’s Busted.” Billy Dean capped the segment with “If There Hadn’t Been You,” saying to Shapiro, “There’s no way I would ever have made it in this town if it weren’t for you.” During his acceptance speech Shapiro said he was inspired to be a songwriter out of his desire to “unlock the mystery of music, and why it moved me so much.”

Matraca Berg was inducted by Hall of Fame songwriter Bobby Braddock. Jessi Alexander, Jon Randall and Randy Scruggs performed a medley of “Wrong Side of Memphis” and “You Can Feel Bad” before being joined by Kim Carnes, who treated the audience to Berg’s signature song, “Strawberry Wine.” Martina McBride closed out the set with “Wild Angels.” Berg said the honor was more than she had ever dreamed and added, “I wanted to be a songwriter since I was four years old.” She also thanked her husband, Jeff Hanna, and quoted Marshall Chapman saying, “It’s never too late to have a happy childhood.”

John Hiatt was inducted by BMI’s VP, Writer-Publisher Relations Jody Williams, who said, “I’ve only written one fan letter in my life, and it was to John Hiatt, after hearing his album Slow Turning. His songs are everyday revelations whose brilliance lies in John's exploration of the mundane to reveal the common thread in all of us.” Shawn Colvin performed “This is the Way We Make a Broken Heart,” before Emmylou Harris performed “Icy Blue Heart,” joined by Jon Randall. Michael McDonald closed out the set with “Have a Little Faith in Me.”

“My dream was not to be in the Songwriters Hall of Fame,” said Hiatt, ”but just to learn how to write songs, and this [Nashville] is the epicenter of songwriting. I still don’t feel I know anything about songwriting; it’s a harrowing experience, but to be honored this way makes me feel like I might know what I’m doing.”

Larry Gatlin presented the first Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation Mentor Award to veteran publisher and writerBob Beckham.

In addition to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductions, NaSHOF’s sister organization, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), presented its annual Songwriter Achievement Awards. The organization’s professional songwriter members voted “You’re Gonna Miss This,” by Ashley Gorley and Lee Thomas Miller, as their Song of the Year. The Songwriter of the Year prize went to Casey Beathard, co-writer of hits such as “Cleaning This Gun (Come On In Boy)” (Rodney Atkins); “Don't Blink” (Kenny Chesney); “How ’Bout Them Cowgirls” (George Strait); and “Ready, Set, Don't Go” (Billy Ray Cyrus with Miley Cyrus). A tie in the Songwriter/Artist of the Year category presented honors to both Alan Jackson (“Small Town Southern Man” / “Good Time”) and Brad Paisley (“Letter to Me” / “I’m Still a Guy”).

Besides honoring the Song, Songwriter and Songwriter/Artists of the Year, the writers of NSAI’s Professional Songwriters Division also singled out 10 songs and their writers for the organization’s 2008 awards, informally dubbed “The Songs I Wish I’d Written.” Recipients were “Better As A Memory” (Scooter Carusoe, Lady Goodman / recorded by Kenny Chesney); “Cleaning This Gun (Come On In Boy)” (Casey Beathard, Marla Cannon-Goodman / recorded by Rodney Atkins); “Don’t Blink” (Casey Beathard, Chris Wallin / recorded by Kenny Chesney); “I Saw God Today” (Rodney Clawson, Monty Criswell, Wade Kirby / recorded by George Strait); “If You’re Reading This” (Tim McGraw, Brad Warren, Brett Warren / recorded by Tim McGraw); “Letter To Me” (Brad Paisley / recorded by Brad Paisley); “Love Me If You Can” (Chris Wallin, Craig Wiseman / recorded by Toby Keith); “Stealing Cinderella” (Rivers Rutherford, George Teren, Chuck Wicks / recorded by Chuck Wicks); “Watching Airplanes” (Jim Beavers, Jonathan Singleton / recorded by Gary Allan); and “You’re Gonna Miss This” (Ashley Gorley, Lee Thomas Miller / recorded by Trace Adkins).

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Hall of Fame Songwriter Danny Dill Passes Away

October 24 2008

Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1975, songwriter and artist Danny Dill is best known for writing “Long Black Veil,” co-written with Marijohn Wilkin and recorded by Lefty Frizell and Johnny Cash, and “Detroit City,” co-written with Mel Tillis and recorded by Bobby Bare. As a performer, Dill toured in the 40s and 50s and appeared on the Grand Ole Opry as half of the duo Annie Lou and Danny. The duo opened shows for artists such as Ernest Tubb, Eddy Arnold, and Hank Williams.

Dill’s songs have been recorded by a wide range of artists including Willie Nelson, Ray Price, the Cheiftains, Joan Biaz, Chris LeDoux, Hank Williams, Jr., Chet Atkins, Tom Jones, Mel Tillis, Jim Reeves, Faron Young, and Jerry Garcia.

“If all he’d done was to help to write “Long Black Veil,” he’d still go down as one of the all-time greatest country songwriters.” said fellow Hall of Fame member Bill Anderson to the Tennessean.

For more on the career of Danny Dill, visit his Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame page.

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Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame to Induct Matraca Berg, John Hiatt, and Tom Shapiro

September 4 2008

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation (NaSHOF) is pleased to announce this year’s inductees for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame: from the Songwriter category, hit writers Matraca Berg and Tom Shapiro; and from the Songwriter/Artist category, musical trailblazer John Hiatt.

The three new inductees will be welcomed into the elite songwriting fraternity by their peers at the 39th Annual Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony, being presented this year by AT&T on Sunday, October 26, at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel.

“Like their predecessors, Matraca, Tom, and John have made meaningful and lasting contributions to the music world and deserve to take their places in the Hall of Fame,” said Roger Murrah, Chairman of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation. “We’re delighted to recognize them for their accomplishments.”

Established in 1970, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame boasts 168 members, including songwriting luminaries such as Johnny Cash, Rodney Crowell, Bob Dylan, Don & Phil Everly, Flatt & Scruggs, Vince Gill, Harlan Howard, Bob McDill, Roger Miller, Bill Monroe, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Carl Perkins, Dottie Rambo, Jimmie Rodgers, Cindy Walker, Jimmy Webb, Hank Williams, Sr. and Hank Williams, Jr. It was announced in September 2007 that the future home of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame will be the historic building at 34 Music Square East, former home of the Quonset Hut, Columbia Studio A, Columbia and Epic Records and Sony Music Nashville. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame will become the first organization honoring songwriters to emerge from a virtual entity to one with a physical location. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit foundation dedicated to honoring and preserving the songwriting legacy of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. The NaSHOF’s principal purposes are to educate, archive and celebrate songwriting that is uniquely associated with the Nashville music community.

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony is one of the music industry’s foremost events of the year. The evening features tributes and performances of the inductees’ songs by special guest artists. NaSHOF’s sister organization, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), also presents its annual awards for the year’s best Song, Songwriter and Songwriter/Artist, as well as the Top 10 “Songs I Wish I Had Written,” as determined by the professional songwriters division.

Tickets for the event are $200 each. A limited number of seats are available to the public this year and may be purchased by contacting event director Mark Ford at hoftix@nashvillesongwriters.com or 615-256-3354.

Inductee Biographical InformationNashville native Matraca Berg was still a teenager when she had her first hit as a songwriter. “Faking Love” became a #1 smash for T.G. Sheppard and Karen Brooks in 1982. Berg was a recording artist herself in the ‘90s, first for RCA and then for Rising Tide. She is one of BMI’s most prolific contemporary writers and has collected more than a dozen of the performing rights organization’s country songwriting awards. She is particularly notable for providing massive hits for female country artists, including Deana Carter (“Strawberry Wine” – NSAI Song of the Year in 1996; CMA Song and Single of the Year in 1997); Reba McEntire (“The Last One to Know”); Patty Loveless (“I’m That Kind of Girl” and “You Can Feel Bad”); Trisha Yearwood (“Wrong Side of Memphis” and her current "They Call It Falling For a Reason"); Martina McBride (“Wild Angels”); the Dixie Chicks (“If I Fall You’re Going Down With Me”) and Gretchen Wilson (“I Don’t Feel Like Loving You Today”), among others.

A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Tom Shapiro began his songwriting career in Los Angeles. After earning a music degree from BostonUniversity and briefly teaching at Berklee, he moved to the West Coast in 1974. After some initial success in R&B with “Never Give Up on a Good Thing” by George Benson, Shapiro relocated to Nashville in 1982 and shifted his focus to country songwriting. Since then he has had more than 45 Top-10 hits with artists such as Ronnie McDowell (“In a New York Minute”); Tanya Tucker (“Highway Robbery”); Lee Greenwood (“Touch and Go Crazy”); Holly Dunn (“Are You Ever Gonna Love Me”); Neal McCoy (“Wink” – 1995 BMI Country Song of the Year); Sara Evans (“No Place That Far”); Brooks & Dunn (“Ain’t Nothing ’Bout You” – 2002 ASCAP Country Song of the Year); Trace Adkins (“Hot Mama”) and Montgomery Gentry (“She Don’t Tell Me To”). Shapiro was BMI Country Songwriter of the Year in 1993, 1996, 1997 and 2002. NSAI named him Songwriter of the Decade for the 1990s, and he was Music Row magazine’s Songwriter of the Year in 1995.

A genre-bending, inventive performer and poignant songwriter, Indianapolis native John Hiatt has captured and held the attention of audiences and critics alike in a career that has spanned more than 30 years and 20 albums as an artist. While developing his own signature sound through the years, Hiatt has attracted performers from all over the musical map to his catalog. In addition to Hiatt, artists who have interpreted his self-penned tunes include Three Dog Night (“Sure As I’m Sittin’ Here”); Joe Cocker (“Have a Little Faith in Me”); Rosanne Cash (“The Way We Make a Broken Heart”); The Jeff Healy Band (“Angel Eyes”); Suzy Bogguss (“Drive South”); Earl Thomas Conley (“Bring Back Your Love to Me”); B.B. King & Eric Clapton (“Ridin’ With the King”); The Neville Brothers (“Washable Ink”); Bonnie Raitt (“Thing Called Love”); and Elvis Costello (“She Loves the Jerk”). Hiatt was named 1987’s Rock Male Vocalist of the Year by Rolling Stone magazine and Artist-Songwriter of the Year at the 2000 Nashville Music Awards. In 2007, he was awarded a star on Nashville’s Music City Walk of Fame. On September 18, 2008, he will receive the Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting. Hiatt is currently on tour in support of his critically acclaimed new album, Same Old Man (New West Records.)

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Hall of Fame Songwriter, Musician, and Actor Jerry Reed Dies at 71

September 3 2008

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member, three time Grammy winner, and star of television and movies, Jerry Reed died thispast weekend. Reed, who was 71, suffered from emphysema and was in hospice care.

Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005, Jerry Reed's songs have been recorded by artists such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Porter Wagoner, Tom Jones, and Brenda Lee. As a recording artist, Reed had a string of hits in the 1970s and early 80s including the songs Lord Mr. Ford, Amos Moses, and When You're Hot Your Hot, for which he won a Grammy in 1971.

Reed was also an accomplished guitarist playing on sessions for Presley, Waylon Jennings, Bobby Bare, and many others. His instrumental recordings with Chet Atkins earned him two additional Grammy Awards.

Perhaps best remembered for his acting rolls, Reed appeared in over 20 movies and television shows including The Waterboy with Adam Sandler, and as Burt Reynolds' sidekick in the Smokey and The Bandit trilogy.

"Everything about Jerry was distinctive: his guitar playing, writing, voice, and especially his sense of humor. He was a larger-than-life personality, and I was honored to have worked with him," said Sony BMG Nashville Chairman Joe Galante.

For more on Jerry Reed's amazing career visit his Hall of Fame profile.

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AT&T Sponsors the 39th Annual Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony

August 19 2008

AT& T announced today that it is the prime sponsor of the 39th Annual Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony set to be on Sunday, October 26, 2008 at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel.

"Every year, our dinner and induction ceremony has gotten bigger and better, and having AT&T as the prime sponsor this year keeps us moving in the same direction," said Roger Murrah, Chairman of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation. "We look forward to a wonderful evening to celebrate the work of some of our most talented songwriters."

AT&T actively supports unique and compelling events that benefit education, the arts, culture and local charities. AT&T funds programs that create learning opportunities and meet the needs of diverse communities across Tennessee and the country.

"Music and the music business are such a big part of what makes Nashville a special place in the World and we are proud to help honor some of the men and women who make the music we all love," said Gregg Morton, President of AT&T Tennessee. "On behalf of over 8000 AT&T Tennessee employees, it is my honor to announce our sponsorship of the 39th Annual Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony."

Pictured: (Left to Right) Gregg Morton, President of AT&T Tennessee, and Roger Murrah, Chairman Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation.

About the Nashville Songwriters Hall of FameEstablished in 1970, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame boasts 168 members, including songwriting luminaries such as Johnny Cash, Rodney Crowell, Bob Dylan, Don & Phil Everly, Flatt & Scruggs, Vince Gill, Harlan Howard, Roger Miller, Bill Monroe, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Carl Perkins, Dottie Rambo, Jimmie Rodgers, Cindy Walker, Jimmy Webb, Hank Williams, Sr. and Hank Williams, Jr. It was announced in September 2007 that the future home of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame will be the historic building at 34 Music Square East, former home of the Quonset Hut, Columbia Studio A, Columbia and Epic Records and Sony Music Nashville. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame will become the first organization honoring songwriters to emerge from a virtual entity to one with a physical location.

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit foundation dedicated to honoring and preserving the songwriting legacy of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. The NaSHOF's principal purposes are to educate, archive and celebrate songwriting that is uniquely associated with the Nashville music community.

About AT&TAT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services and the nation's leading wireless, high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of its three-screen integration strategy, AT&T is expanding its TV entertainment offerings. In 2008, AT&T again ranked No. 1 on Fortune magazine's World's Most Admired Telecommunications Company list and No. 1 on America's Most Admired Telecommunications Company list. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com.

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Hall of Fame to Open in 2009

August 11 2008

The Tennessean ran a feature interview with Roger Murrah on August 8, 2008 discussing the opening of the Hall of Fame, scheduled for 2009, and the importance of having a physical location to honor songwriters and their work. The story also talks about the new Hall of Fame Web site launching this week.

You can read the story here on the Tennessean’s Web Site.

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Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Names Fifteen Nominees for 2008

August 8 2008

Ten songwriters and five songwriter/artists have been nominated for one of the nation’s highest songwriting honors – induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Of the nominees, two from the songwriter category and one from the songwriter/artist category will be inducted during the annual Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony to be held on Sunday, October 26, at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel in Nashville, TN.

"Each of these nominees has honed the songwriting craft to perfection, and the songs they’ve given us are absolute treasures,” said Roger Murrah, a 2005 inductee and the current chair of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation (NaSHOF), which owns and administers the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

The ballot seeks to recognize songwriters whose first significant works achieved commercial success and/or artistic recognition at least 20 years ago and have “positively impacted and been closely associated with the Nashville music community and deemed to be outstanding and significant.”

This year’s ten nominees in the Songwriter category are: Matraca Berg (“Strawberry Wine” by Deana Carter), Paul Craft (“Hank Williams, You Wrote My Life” by Moe Bandy), Kye Fleming (“I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” by Barbara Mandrell), Larry Henley (“The Wind Beneath My Wings” by Bette Midler), the late John Jarrard (“Blue Clear Sky” by George Strait), Bob Morrison (“You Decorated My Life” by Kenny Rogers), Mark D. Sanders (“I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack), Tom Shapiro (“Ain’t Nothing ‘Bout You” by Brooks & Dunn), John Scott Sherrill (“Would You Go With Me” by Josh Turner) and Sharon Vaughn (“My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys” by Willie Nelson).

The five nominees in the Songwriter/Artist category are: the late Paul Davis (“I Go Crazy”), Larry Gatlin (“All the Gold in California”), John Hiatt (“Ridin’ With the King”), the late Johnny Horton (“Honky Tonk Man”) and Tony Joe White (“Rainy Night in Georgia”).

The ballot was recommended to the NaSHOF board of directors by the Hall of Fame Nominating Committee, which is comprised of Hall of Fame members and Music Row historians. Votes are cast by Hall of Fame members and Professional Songwriter members of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), as well as the boards of the NaSHOF and NSAI.

Established in 1970, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame boasts 168 members, including songwriting luminaries such as Johnny Cash, Rodney Crowell, Bob Dylan, Don & Phil Everly, Flatt & Scruggs, Vince Gill, Harlan Howard, Roger Miller, Bill Monroe, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Carl Perkins, Dottie Rambo, Jimmie Rodgers, Cindy Walker, Jimmy Webb, Hank Williams, Sr. and Hank Williams, Jr. It was announced in September 2007 that the future home of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame will be the historic building at 34 Music Square East, former home of the Quonset Hut, Columbia Studio A, Columbia and Epic Records and Sony Music Nashville. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame will become the first organization honoring songwriters to emerge from a virtual entity to one with a physical location.

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Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation Joins Tennessee Chamber of Commerce

July 30 2008

Pictured (left to right): Jeff Skillen, Director of Development, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation (NaSHOF); John Van Mol, Board Chairman, Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and board member, NaSHOF; Murrah and Woolley.

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation recently became an organizational member of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce, as the two groups formalized their commitment to reaching mutual goals.

Deb Woolley, President of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce, said, "Dallas Frazier and Sonny Curtis performed at our last board of directors meeting, and we discussed the economic impact of the music industry. It is a key economic driver in Tennessee and a major employer and shares many of the challenges that other employers also face. We welcome the Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation and look forward to addressing issues that impact the success of all our businesses and industries."

"After attending the State Chamber's recent board meeting, I was reminded of how much our organizations have in common," said Roger Murrah, Chairman of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation. "The Chamber recognizes the music industry's impact on the state's economy, and our foundation knows how beneficial it is to connect with business leaders from around the state, especially as the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame prepares its future home on Music Row."

Photo credit: Drew Maynard

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Hall of Fame Member Dottie Rambo Dies In Tour Bus Crash

May 2 2008

Gospel legend and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Member, Joyce "Dottie" Rambo died on Sunday, May 11, 2008, when her tour bus ran off the highway and struck an embankment in Missouri. Ms. Rambo, who was 74, was on her way to a Mother’s Day concert performance in Texas.

According to the Associated Press, seven other passengers on the bus were injured in the wreck, which occurred on Interstate 44, two miles east of Mount Vernon. The Missouri Highway Patrol reports that the injured were hospitalized in Springfield with moderate to severe injuries. The cause of the wreck is under investigation and it is not known at this time if it was weather related.

"She was a giant in the gospel music industry," said Beckie Simmons, Rambo's agent. "Dolly Parton recorded some of her songs."

Dolly Parton released this statement about the tragedy, "I know Dottie is in heaven in the arms of God right now, but our earth angel will surely be missed. Dottie was a dear friend, a fellow singer, songwriter and entertainer, and as of late my duet singing partner."

In 2007, Rambo was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in 2006. She has had over 2,500 songs published and recorded by artists such as Elvis Presley, Whitney Houston, Dolly Parton, and Barbara Mandrell. In 1982 she was honored with the Song of the Year from the Gospel Music Association for "We Shall Behold Him."

For more on Dottie Rambo visit her Web site www.dottierambo.net.

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2007 Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductees

October 17 2007

Members of the Nashville music community packed the ballroom at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel to celebrate the musical contributions of the newest inductees.

“We have so much to celebrate as we honor our newest members,” said Roger Murrah, Chairman of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation (NaSHOF). “Throughout their incredible careers, each of the honorees has left an indelible mark on the music world and further assured Nashville’s reputation as home of the greatest songwriters. We’re also celebrating the fact that the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame will soon have a permanent home in the historic building at 34 Music Square East, thanks to a partnership with Belmont University and the Mike Curb Family Foundation.”

During the evening’s ceremonies, each of the new members of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame was inducted by a fellow artist, friend or family member, while the event was filled with star-studded performances of highlights from their respective repertoires.

Bluegrass icons Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs were inducted by Marty Stuart, who joined Flatt’s band at the age of 13. The Grammy-winning Del McCoury Band took the stage to perform the Flatt & Scruggs hits “If I Should Wander Back Tonight,” “Earl’s Breakdown,” “Little Cabin Home On The Hill,” “Don’t Get Above Your Raisin’” and the jingle belonging to their longtime sponsor, Martha White, before Stuart joined them on “Foggy Mountain Breakdown.” Joining Scruggs to accept the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Manny Award (short for manuscript) were Flatt’s widow, Gladys Flatt, and granddaughter Tammy Brumfield. “It’s been a wonderful ride,” Scruggs said. “Thank you all very much.”

Barbara Mandrell inducted Gospel music legend Dottie Rambo, whose prolific songwriting career has yielded more than 2,500 published songs, thus earning her a place with Fanny Crosby as women with the greatest impact on Gospel music. “You are such an inspiration to me,” Mandrell said, as she related the story of how Rambo traveled with a small Bible tucked in the neck of her guitar. Rambo’s granddaughter, Destiny Rambo McGuire, performed several selections from her Rambo's repertoire, including “We Shall Behold Him,” “If That Isn’t Love,” “Holy Spirit, Thou Art Welcome” and “I Go To The Rock.” Accepting her award, Rambo said, “Thank you to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame for even thinking of a little girl from Kentucky. I love my music, but I love the Lord better than my life and my breath.”

Hank Williams, Jr. was inducted in “family tradition” by his daughter, Holly Williams. “It’s a surprise that I’m inducting my dad tonight,” she said. “I’m a songwriter myself. It’s my passion, and I am a true fan of my dad.” She and perfomer Chris Janson then performed a pair of Williams songs — “Feelin’ Better” and “Whiskey Bent And Hell Bound” — before being joined by Hillary Williams (Holly's sister) on “The Blues Man.” At that point, Country chart-topper Gretchen Wilson took the stage with her band to perform the Bocephus classic, “All My Rowdy Friends Have Settled Down.” With his induction, Williams joins his legendary father as the only father/son members of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. As he accepted his award, Williams told the crowd that he had taken banjo lessons from Scruggs at the age of 19. “I’m from the old school,” he said. “I know a lot of you are saying that these awards don’t mean anything to old Hank, but this one is special. I need this, thank you, and I need y’all.”

Bob DiPiero’s career began when he arrived in Music City in 1979 and found an early supporter in Amy Kurland, owner of the renowned Bluebird Café, so it was fitting that she presided over his induction. DiPiero’s friends in the Hit Men of Music Row — songwriters Craig Wiseman, Jeffrey Steele and Tony Mullins — performed a medley of his hits including “American Made,” “ Take Me As I Am” and “Blue Clear Sky” before Neal McCoy performed his #1 hit “Wink,” which was BMI's Country Song of the Year in 1995. “Coming from Youngstown, Ohio, I thought I might be indicted, but not inducted,” DiPiero quipped as he accepted his award. “I definitely didn’t get here by myself,” he said, before acknowledging a long list of supporters, mentors and fellow writers. “I love all of you. Thank you for this honor.”

Jimmy Buffett, himself a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, was on hand to induct his friend, producer and Coral Reefer band member Mac McAnally. “Mac writes like he’s the love child of William Faulkner and Flannery O’Connor,” Buffett said. “His music is the background music of my life.” Award-winning singer/songwriter/guitarist Steve Wariner performed an acoustic medley of McAnally’s hits “Old Flame,” “Two Dozen Roses,” “Precious Thing,” “Back Where I Come From,” “It’s a Crazy World” and “It’s My Job” before Sawyer Brown’s Mark Miller and Hobie Hubbard, along with former bandmate Duncan Cameron, offered the soulful “All These Years.” Accepting his award, McAnally said, “I historically hold myself in low regard, but for this one night I’ll put that aside and trust that you all know what you’re doing.”

In addition to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductions, the evening saw the NaSHOF’s sister organization, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), confer its annual Songwriter Achievement Awards.

The organization’s professional songwriter members voted “Bless The Broken Road” by Bobby E. Boyd,Jeff Hanna and Marcus Hummon as their Song of the Year. The song, recorded by Selah with Melodie Crittenden, made NSAI history by becoming the first song in the organization's history to earn song of the year honors in two different years with recordings by different artists. (The song received the same honor in 2005 for the recording by Rascal Flatts.) The Songwriter of the Year prize went to Dave Berg, co-writer of hits such as “Moments” (Emerson Drive) and “Stupid Boy” (Keith Urban). A tie in the Songwriter/Artist of the Year category presented honors to both Alan Jackson (“A Woman’s Love”) and Taylor Swift (“Tim McGraw” / “Teardrops on My Guitar”). Since the award's inception in 1989, Swift becomes the second female recipient, as well as the youngest recipient.

Besides honoring the Song, Songwriter and Songwriter/Artists of the Year, the writers of NSAI’s Professional Songwriters Division also singled out 10 songs and their writers for the organization’s 2007 awards, informally dubbed “The Songs I Wish I’d Written.” Recipients were:

  1. “Before He Cheats” (Josh Kear, Chris Tompkins / recorded by Carrie Underwood);
  2. “Bless The Broken Road” (Bobby E. Boyd, Jeff Hanna, Marcus Hummon / recorded by Selah with Melodie Crittenden);
  3. “Find Out Who Your Friends Are” (Casey Beathard, Ed Hill / recorded by Tracy Lawrence);
  4. “Give It Away” (Bill Anderson, Buddy Cannon, Jamey Johnson / recorded by George Strait);
  5. “Good Directions” (Luke Bryan, Rachel Thibodeau / recorded by Billy Currington);
  6. “I Loved Her First” (Walt Aldridge, Elliott Park / recorded by Heartland);
  7. “Moments” (Dave Berg, Annie Tate, Sam Tate / recorded by Emerson Drive);
  8. “One Wing In The Fire” (Bobby Pinson, Trent Tomlinson / recorded by Trent Tomlinson);
  9. “Stupid Boy” (Sarah Buxton, Deanna Bryant, Dave Berg / recorded by Keith Urban);
  10. “The Seashores of Old Mexico” (Merle Haggard / recorded by George Strait);
  11. “Would You Go With Me” (Shawn Camp, John Scott Sherrill / recorded by Josh Turner). [Note: because of a tie, 11 songs were presented awards.]

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Mike Curb Family Foundation, Belmont University and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundatio

September 20 2007

Pictured (left to right): Belmont University President, Bob Fisher, Dolly Parton, Mike Curb, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Chairman, Roger Murrah. (Photo credit: J. Michael Krouskop)

The Mike Curb Family Foundation, Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business at Belmont University and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation announced a major new partnership designed to create visibility and understanding for the foundation of the music industry – songwriting. Through the generosity of the Curb Family Foundation and its commitment to preserve the history of the music industry in Nashville, a new songwriting major in the Curb College and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame both have a permanent home on Music Row.

Located in the historic building at 34 Music Square East, former home of the Quonset Hut, Columbia Studio A, Columbia and Epic Records and Sony Music Nashville, songwriting students at Belmont will have front row seats to the thriving music industry of today, as well as its history. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame will become the first organization honoring songwriters to emerge from a virtual entity to one with a physical location, also making its home at 34 Music Square East.

“We are excited that this site offers a further extension of the Curb College throughout Music Row, starting with Ocean Way, which provides students access to the finest recording studio in the country, extending to RCA Studio B, the historic home of great hit records by Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, Jim Reeves, the Everly Brothers, Roy Orbison and Waylon Jennings,” Mike Curb said. “Belmont students can now further enrich their education of this industry’s history in Nashville in the historic Columbia Records Building and the historic Quonset Hut Recording Studio, the first recording studio on Music Row where great artists such as Marty Robbins, Sonny James, Patsy Cline and Brenda Lee recorded numerous hit records. This new Music Row extension of the Curb College will provide students with an incredible opportunity to learn about the history of music through the new history professorship, songwriting through the new songwriting major and many other aspects of the music business.”

Dolly Parton, who counts membership in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame among her highest accolades, was present for the announcement. ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ “I’m just a poor wayfaring songwriter proud to finally have a home,” Parton said. “I’m very excited about the new Hall of Fame.”

Belmont University is one of the first accredited universities in the nation to offer a major in songwriting. Made possible in part by collaboration between Belmont and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation, the major’s first semester introductory courses in August 2007 were filled to capacity with 50 student songwriters registering. Award-winning Nashville songwriting veterans Tom Schuyler and Bob Regan teach the classes, joining an impressive roster of faculty members in the Curb College, including Mark Volman, founding member of the Turtles, and Dove Award-winning songwriter James I. Elliott, coordinator of the songwriting major at Belmont.

The mission of the songwriting major in the Curb College is to help students develop artistic crafts while gaining a practical understanding of the business aspects of a songwriting career. Students in the songwriting program take courses in songwriting, music theory and ear training, music publishing and studio production. Student songwriters will also be required to complete mentorships with professional songwriters.

“Belmont has a distinguished reputation for educating students working in Nashville’s music industry,” Belmont President Bob Fisher said. “We are honored to be a member of this partnership with the Curb Family Foundation and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation to advance the cause of songwriting and contribute to the continued success of the art by educating the next generation of songwriters in our esteemed Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business.”

Students majoring in songwriting at Belmont will not need to look far for mentors and inspiration. With the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame also housed in the 34 Music Square East building, students will have close proximity to the hall and its resources, as well as invaluable opportunities to learn from its members. Induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, established in 1970, is considered the highest honor that can be bestowed on a songwriter with connections to the Nashville music community.

“The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation is honored and excited about this partnership and the synergies it presents,” said Roger Murrah, the foundation’s chairman and a 2005 inductee of the Hall of Fame. “We helped design the curriculum for the songwriting major, and our members are willing and available to share our experiences with aspiring writers. We hope we’re also a source of inspiration for them. This partnership gives us a chance to give back.”

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame currently boasts 162 members, including songwriting luminaries such as Bill Anderson, Gary Burr, Johnny Cash, Rodney Crowell, Sonny Curtis, Bob Dylan, Don & Phil Everly, Vince Gill, Harlan Howard, Bob McDill, Roger Miller, Bill Monroe, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Carl Perkins, Jimmie Rodgers, Cindy Walker, Jimmy Webb and Hank Williams, Sr. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit foundation that owns and operates the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. The NaSHOF’s principal purposes are to educate, archive, celebrate and honor the legacy of songwriting that is uniquely associated with the Nashville music community.

The Mike Curb Family Foundation is dedicated to music education and preservation of historic music sites such as RCA Studio B, The Quonset Hut, Elvis Presley’s first home, The Johnny Cash Museum and the Talley House at Fisk University.

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Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Member Earl Scruggs Passes

April 1 2012

2007 Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, Earl Scruggs died March 28, 2012 of natural causes at the age of 88. A bluegrass legend, Scruggs was known throughout the world for his unique three-finger picking style on the banjo, which revolutionized the genre. Scruggs was also known for his kindness and caring spirit.

Artists across the entertainment industry reflected on Earl's passing:

"It feels like losing my musical father ...I don't know if music would have spoken to me if it wasn't for the sound of Earl's banjo," posted fellow Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Member, Vince Gill on his Website.

"It's not just bluegrass, its American music," bluegrass fan-turned-country star Dierks Bentley told the Associated Press. "There's 17- or 18-year-old kids turning on today's country music and hearing that banjo and they have no idea where that came from. That sound has probably always been there for them and they don't realize someone invented that three-finger roll style of playing. You hear it everywhere."

Actor and musician Steve Martin called Scruggs, with whom he collaborated in 2001 on Earl Scruggs and Friends, "the most important banjo player who ever lived."

Born Earl Eugene Scruggs in Shelby, NC on January 6, 1924, Scruggs brought awareness of the banjo and bluegrass music to the forefront of popular music. His song "The Ballad of Jed Clampett," the theme song for The Beverly Hillbillies television show, hit #1 within five weeks of the show's first broadcast. Throughout his career, Scruggs mesmerized audiences and fellow musicians alike.

Scruggs met duo partner Lester Flatt in 1945 when both were members of Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys. In 1948, they left Monroe's band, and formed the Foggy Mountain Boys, later known as Flatt & Scruggs. The duo began their WSM radio show for Martha White Flour in 1953 and joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1956. Flatt & Scruggs became the first Country group to be booked on the Folk music circuit.

In 1967, Earl's instrumental "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" was used in the film Bonnie & Clyde. It earned the duo a performance Grammy and went on to achieve Million-Air status from BMI. Throughout their career, Flatt & Scruggs wrote many of their popular songs, including "Don't Get Above Your Raisin'," "Crying My Heart Out Over You," "Flint Hill Special" and "Cabin In The Hills."

Scruggs teamed with sons Randy and Gary for the Earl Scruggs Revue in 1969. The group ventured into folk-rock territory and included a rotating cast of musicians, including Randy and Gary's brother, Steve. In 1972 Earl, Gary and Randy played on the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's landmark album Will The Circle Be Unbroken.

Scruggs' won numerous accolades including a National Heritage Fellowship, and the National Medal of Arts. He was inducted into the IBMA Hall of Fame in 1991. Even late in his career the honors kept coming. His album Earl Scruggs and Friends won a Grammy in 2001, one of three Grammys he earned between 1998 and 2004, as well as a 2008 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Scruggs was a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Bluegrass Hall of Honor. He also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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