Songwriters Hall of Fame

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Songwriters Hall of Fame
AbbreviationSHOF
Formation1969
Founder
  • Johnny Mercer
  • Abe Olman
  • Howie Richmond
Type
  • Non-profit organization
  • Music organization
PurposeHonor songwriters; support and develop songwriting talent
HeadquartersNew York, United States
Region served
Worldwide
President and CEO
Linda Moran
Websitesonghall.org

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 preserves and advances the heritage of English-language popular music.[1] 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.[2]

History

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Founding and early years (1969–1990s)

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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

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An exhibit dedicated to the SHOF was launched in 2010 at the Grammy Museum at L.A. Live in Los Angeles.[3] 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.[4]

Inductees

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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 (1972), Betty Comden and Adolph Green (1980), and Leiber and Stoller (1985). Individual inductees have included John Lennon and Paul McCartney (1987), members of Holland-Dozier-Holland (1988), Elton John and Bernie Taupin (1992), and all three members of the Bee Gees (1994). John Denver was inducted in 1996. Queen became the first rock band to have all its members inducted in 2003.[5][6] 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.[citation needed]

Recent events (2000s–present)

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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony was postponed until 2022.[7] SHOF president and CEO Linda Moran stated that the postponement was made to allow the event to take place with proper celebration.[8] 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 (Abe Olman Publisher Award) and Paul Williams (Johnny Mercer Award).[9] On March 8, 2022, the ceremony was officially announced for June 16, 2022, at the Marriott Marquis in New York’s Times Square.[10]

Special Awards

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Abe Olman Publisher Award

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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.[11]

Board of Directors Award

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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.[16]

Contemporary Icon Award

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The Contemporary Icon Award was established in 2015 to "celebrate a songwriter-artist who has attained an iconic status in pop culture".[17]

Global Ambassador Award

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In 2017, Pitbull was presented the Global Ambassador Award.[20] The award is given to a person "whose music has true worldwide appeal, crossing genre, cultural and national boundaries".[21]

Hal David Starlight Award

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Hal David smiling.
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 to honor the former SHOF chairman's support of young songwriters.[22][23] 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".[24]

Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award

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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".[25][26]

Johnny Mercer Award

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Johnny Mercer in front a piano, holding a pen.
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.[27][28][29]

Patron of the Arts

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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.[31]

Pioneer Award

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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.[32][33]

Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award

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Sammy Cahn playing a piano.
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.[34]

Towering Performance Award

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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.[35]

Towering Song Award

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The Towering Song Award is given to creators of an individual song that has influenced the culture in a unique way over the years.[36][37][26]

Visionary Leadership Award

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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.[39][40]

Scholarship awards

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John Legend performing.
John Legend was honored in 2002 with the Abe Olman Scholarship.

Abe Olman Scholarship

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

Holly Prize

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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.[42]

NYU Steinhardt Songwriting Scholar Award

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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.[43]

See also

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Bibliography

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Notes

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Secondary references

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The Einstein Factor was a TV quiz show that aired weekly (Sundays) on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and ABC2 – from 8 February 2004 to 22 November 2009. It pitted contestants with deep knowledge in a specific, often niche, subject against a "Brains Trust" of experts.
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Primary references

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    About the Songwriters' Hall of Fame
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    Songwriters' Hall of Fame Inductees
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    Abe Olman Publisher Award for Lifetime Achievement
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    Board of Directors Award
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    Contemporary Icon Award
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    Global Ambassador Award
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    Hal David Starlight Award
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    Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award
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    Johnny Mercer Award
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    Patron of the Arts
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    Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award
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    Towering Performance
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    Towering Song
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    Best of Songwriting Legends
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    Visionary Leadership Award
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    Abe Olman Scholarship
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    NYU Steinhardt Songwriting Scholar Award
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    The Holly Prize
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    Annual Awards Gala press releases
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