Songwriters Hall of Fame

The Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF) is an American institution founded in 1969 by songwriter Johnny Mercer, music publisher/songwriter Abe Olman and publisher/executive Howie Richmond to honor those whose work represents and maintains the heritage and legacy of a spectrum of the most beloved English language songs from the world's popular music songbook. It not only celebrates these established songwriters, but is also involved in the development of new English language songwriting talent through workshops, showcases and scholarships. There are many programs designed to teach and discover new English language songwriters. Nile Rodgers serves as the organization's chairman.[1]

For the hall of fame of Canada, see Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Songwriters Hall of Fame
Established1969
Location(Current—temporary)
Grammy Museum at L.A. Live
800 W Olympic Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90015

(Proposed—permanent)
Brill Building
1619 Broadway, Manhattan
New York City, NY 10019
Coordinates34.044736°N 118.264549°W / 34.044736; -118.264549
TypeMusic museum
PresidentLinda Moran
Public transit access     
Pico station
Websitesonghall.org
Opening hours10:30am–6:30pm (Sun–Thurs)
10am–8pm (Fri–Sat)
Closed Tuesdays

The Hall of Fame has only existed since 2010, when it was first put on display online inside the Grammy Museum at L.A. Live in Los Angeles.[2] Until construction of the basement installation at the Brill Building in New York is completed, the Hall has no permanent place of residence, and because the awards are not televised, there would be no other digital recording of the event for posterity.[3]

There are numerous examples of collaborating songwriters being inducted in unison, with each person being considered a separate entrant. The inaugural year featured 120 inductees, many of whom had a professional partnership, such as Rodgers and Hammerstein. Burt Bacharach and Hal David followed in 1972. Betty Comden and Adolph Green were selected in 1980, and Lieber and Stoller were inducted in 1985. John Lennon and Paul McCartney were inducted in 1989 along with Gerry Goffin and Carole King as well as Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. Motown's Holland-Dozier-Holland team were honored the following year. Elton John and Bernie Taupin were among those chosen in 1992, and the pop music group the Bee Gees had all three brothers inducted in 1994. In 1995, Bob Gaudio and Bob Crewe as well as Gamble and Huff were inducted. John Denver and Ringo Starr was inducted in 1996. The Eagles' Glenn Frey and Don Henley were co-inductees in 2000. Queen was the first rock band to have all their band members inducted in 2003.[4][5] Five members of Earth, Wind & Fire were in the class of 2010 and four members of Kool and the Gang were honored in 2018.

Through 2019, 461 individuals were inducted into the SHOF.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was postponed until 2021. The Songwriters Hall of Fame president and CEO, Linda Moran, chose to move the event so that a proper celebration could take place. [6] New 2020 inductees would include Mariah Carey, Chad Hugo, the Isley Brothers, Annie Lennox, Steve Miller, Rick Nowels, William “Mickey” Stevenson, Dave Stewart and Pharrell Williams.  Additionally, Jody Gerson of Universal Music Group will be given the Abe Olman Publisher Award and Paul Williams is set to receive the Johnny Mercer Award.[7]

Abe Olman Publisher Award

The Abe Olman Publisher Award is given to publishers who have had a substantial number of songs that have become world-renowned and who have helped to further the careers and success of many songwriters.[8]

Board of Directors Award

The Board of Directors Award is presented to an individual selected by the SHOF Board in recognition of his or her service to the songwriting community and the advancement of popular music.[9]

Contemporary Icon Award

The Contemporary Icon Award was established in 2015 to recognize songwriter-artists who attained an iconic status in pop culture.[10]

Hal David Starlight Award
Hal David at the ASCAP Awards in 2011

First presented in 2004 as the Starlight Award, the prize was renamed in 2006 as the Hal David Starlight Award in honor of the SHOF Chairman's longtime support of young songwriters.[13][14] Award recipients are gifted songwriters who are at an apex in their careers and are making a significant impact in the music industry via their original songs.[15]

Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award

The Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award is specifically tailored for artists or "star makers" in the music industry who have been responsible for a substantial number of hit songs for an extended period of time, and who recognize the importance of songs and their writers.[16][17]

Johnny Mercer Award
Johnny Mercer between 1946 and 1948

The Johnny Mercer Award is the highest honor bestowed by the event. It goes to writers already inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame for having established a history of outstanding creative works.[18][19][20]

Patron of the Arts

The Patron of the Arts is presented to influential industry executives who are not primarily in the music business but are great supporters of the performing arts.[21]

Pioneer Award

The Pioneer Award was established in 2012 to recognize the career of a historic creator of an extensive body of musical work that has been a major influence on generations of songwriters.[22][23]

Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award
Sammy Cahn in 1950s

Named for the former President of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award is given to individuals or teams who are recognized as having done a great deal to further the successes of songwriters.[24]

Scholarship Awards
John Legend was honored in 2002 with the Abe Olman Scholarship

Abe Olman Scholarship

Abe Olman was an American songwriter and music publisher. He was later director of ASCAP, and a founder of the Songwriters Hall of Fame which, in 1983, named the Abe Olman Publisher Award. In his honor, the Abe Olman Scholarship is given out each year by his family in the interest of encouraging and supporting the careers of young songwriters.[25] The scholarship has been awarded since 1989 to individuals such as Matt Katz-Bohen, John Legend, and Bebe Rexha.

The Holly Prize

Created In 2009, The Holly Prize is a tribute to the legacy of Buddy Holly, a SHOF inductee. The award recognizes and supports a new "all-in songwriter" — an exceptionally talented and inspired young musician/singer/songwriter whose work exhibits the qualities of Holly's music: true, great and original. The Holly Prize is administered and juried by the SongHall.[26]

The NYU Steinhardt Songwriting Scholar Award

Announced in 2011, along with a collaboration between the Songwriters Hall of Fame and NYU Steinhardt's Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions, the NYU Steinhardt Songwriting Scholar Award is presented to a music composition student whose work holds great potential for success in the field, and embodies the art, craft, individuality and qualities of communication of the best songwriting.[27]

Towering Performance Award

The Towering Performance Award is given in recognition of one-of-a-kind performances by one-of-a-kind singers that have recorded outstanding and unforgettable interpretations of songs that have become iconic standards.[28]

Towering Song Award

The Towering Song Award is given to creators of an individual song that has influenced the culture in a unique way over the years.[29][30][17]

Visionary Leadership Award

Created in 2013, The Visionary Leadership Award recognizes members of the Hall of Fame Board of Directors who have made a significant contribution in furthering the ongoing mission of the organization.[31][32]

See also

References
  1. "Nile Rodgers Appointed Chairman of the Songwriters Hall of Fame: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  2. "About Us". Songwriters Hall of Fame. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  3. "Songwriters Hall of Fame Honorees Range from Gaga to Grateful Dead". Variety. June 18, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
  4. "The Lives & Music of Queen". ABC. Archived from the original on October 16, 2007. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  5. "2003 Award and Induction Ceremony: Queen". Songwriters Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on December 17, 2010. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  6. "Songwriters Hall of Fame Postpones Next Induction Until 2021". Billboard. March 31, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  7. Jem Aswad (March 31, 2020). "Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Moved to 2021". Variety. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  8. "Abe Olman Publisher Award". Songwriters Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on March 29, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  9. "Board of Directors Award". Songwriters Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on March 30, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  10. "Contemporary Icon Award". Songwriters Hall of Fame. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  11. "Lady Gaga - Contemporary Icon Award". Songwriters Hall of Fame. April 23, 2015. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  12. "Justin Timberlake - Contemporary Icon Award". Songwriters Hall of Fame. May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  13. "2006 Award and Induction Ceremony". Songwriters Hall of Fame. March 7, 2016. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
  14. "John Legend To Receive Hal David Starlight Award At Songwriters Hall Of Fame Gala". Songwriters Hall of Fame. April 30, 2007. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
  15. "Hal David Starlight Award". Songwriters Hall of Fame. March 7, 2016. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
  16. "Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award". Songwriters Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on May 18, 2008. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  17. "Songwriters Hall of Fame Celebrates The Best Of Songwriting Legends". Songwriters Hall of Fame. June 13, 2014. Archived from the original on November 5, 2014. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  18. Ed Christman (March 10, 2011). "Barry Mann And Cynthia Weil To Receive Johnny Mercer Award At 2011 Songwriters Hall Of Fame Event". Billboard. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  19. "Johnny Mercer Award". Songwriters Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on June 23, 2015. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  20. "The Johnny Mercer Award Winners". The Johnny Mercer Foundation. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  21. "Patron of the Arts". Songwriters Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on March 29, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  22. "Highlights From the 2012 Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  23. "Berry Gordy to Receive Pioneer Award From Songwriters Hall of Fame". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  24. "Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award". Songwriters Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on October 14, 2008. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  25. "Abe Olman Scholarship". Songwriters Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on October 25, 2016. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  26. "The Holly Prize". Songwriters Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on April 10, 2019. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  27. "The NYU Steinhardt Songwriting Scholar Award". Songwriters Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on July 1, 2015. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  28. "Towering Performance". Songwriters Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on March 29, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  29. "Towering Songs". Songwriters Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on March 29, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  30. "Songwriters Hall of Fame Celebrates The Best Of Songwriting Legends". Songwriters Hall of Fame. June 14, 2013. Archived from the original on June 24, 2013. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  31. Roy Trakin (April 28, 2014). "BMI Head Del Bryant to Be Presented With Visionary Leadership Award at Songwriters Hall of Fame". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  32. "ASCAP CEO John A. Lofrumento To Be Honored With Visionary Leadership Award". Songwriters Hall of Fame. May 7, 2015. Archived from the original on May 19, 2015. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
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