Songwriters Hall of Fame


The Songwriters Hall of Fame 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 preserves and advances the heritage of English-language popular music. In addition to celebrating renowned songwriters, the organization supports the development of new songwriting talent through workshops, showcases, and scholarships. Nile Rodgers, since 2018, has been Chairman.
WWW songwritershalloffame.org

History

Founding and early years (1969–1990s)

The Hall of Fame was established in 1969 by Mercer, Olman, and Richmond. During its early decades, the organization focused
primarily on recognizing influential songwriters and songwriting teams across popular music genres.

Exhibits and public presence

An exhibit dedicated to the SHOF was launched in 2010 at the Grammy Museum at L.A. Live in Los Angeles. The Hall has no permanent physical home, and because its annual awards ceremonies are not televised, there is no other publicly accessible recording of the events for posterity.

Inductees

Numerous collaborating songwriters have been inducted together, with each member considered a separate entrant. The inaugural class in 1969 included 120 inductees, including several professional partnerships such as Rodgers and Hammerstein. Later inductees have included songwriting teams such as Burt Bacharach and Hal David, Betty Comden and Adolph Green, and Leiber and Stoller. Individual inductees have included John Lennon and Paul McCartney, members of Holland-Dozier-Holland, Elton John and Bernie Taupin, and all three members of the
Bee Gees. John Denver was inducted in 1996. Queen became the first rock band to have all its members inducted in 2003. Five members of Earth, Wind & Fire were honored in 2010, and four members of Kool and the Gang were inducted in 2018. Through 2019, 461 individuals had been inducted.

Recent events (2000s–present)

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony was postponed until 2022. SHOF president and CEO Linda Moran stated that the postponement was made to allow the event to take place with proper celebration. The 2020 class includes Mariah Carey, Chad Hugo, the Isley Brothers, Annie Lennox, Steve Miller, Rick Nowels, William "Mickey" Stevenson, Dave Stewart, and Pharrell Williams. Awards for that year will honor
Jody Gerson and Paul Williams. On March 8, 2022, the ceremony was officially announced for June 16, 2022, at the Marriott Marquis in New York’s Times Square.

Special Awards

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.

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.

Contemporary Icon Award

The Contemporary Icon Award was established in 2015 to "celebrate a songwriter-artist who has attained an iconic status in pop culture".

Global Ambassador Award

In 2017, Pitbull was presented the Global Ambassador Award. The award is given to a person "whose music has true worldwide appeal, crossing genre, cultural and national boundaries".

Hal David Starlight Award

First presented in 2004 as the Starlight Award, the prize was renamed in 2006 as the Hal David Starlight Award to honor the former SHOF chairman's support of young songwriters. 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".

Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award

The Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award is given to musical artists who have had a substantial number of hit songs across a lengthy career, and who, according to the Hall of Fame, "recognize the importance of songs and their writers".

Johnny Mercer Award

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.

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.

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.

Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award

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.

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.

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.

Visionary Leadership Award

Created in 2011, 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.

Scholarship awards

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. The scholarship has been awarded since 1989 to individuals such as:

Holly Prize

Created in 2010, 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.

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.

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Primary references