Songwriters Hall of Fame
The Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF), was founded in 1969 by songwriter Johnny Mercer and 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 songs from the world's popular music songbook. It not only celebrates these established songwriters, but is also involved on the development of new songwriting talent through workshops, showcases and scholarships. There are many programs designed to teach and discover new songwriters.
The Hall of Fame only existed as an online virtual collection until 2010, when it was first put on display as a physical gallery inside The Grammy Museum in Los Angeles.[1] With an under-construction basement installation at the Brill Building in New York, the Hall does not have a permanent place and the awards are not televised.[2]
Through 2010, 383 individuals had been inducted into the SHOF. The British rock band Queen was the first band to be inducted in 2003.[3][4]
Contents
- 1 Abe Olman Publisher Award
- 2 Board of Directors Award
- 3 Contemporary Icon Award
- 4 Hal David Starlight Award
- 5 Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award
- 6 Johnny Mercer Award
- 7 Patron of the Arts
- 8 Pioneer Award
- 9 Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award
- 10 Scholarship Awards
- 11 Towering Performance Award
- 12 Towering Song Award
- 13 Visionary Leadership Award
- 14 See also
- 15 References
- 16 External links
Abe Olman Publisher Award[edit]
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.[5]
- 1983 Howard S. Richmond
- 1986 Leonard Feist
- 1987 Lou Levy
- 1988 Buddy Killen
- 1990 Charles Koppelman & Martin Bandier
- 1991 Frank Military & Jay Morgenstern
- 1992 Bonnie Bourne
- 1993 Berry Gordy
- 1994 Buddy Morris
- 1995 Al Gallico
- 1996 Freddy Bienstock
- 1997 Gene Goodman
- 1998 Irwin Z. Robinson
- 1999 Bill Lowery
- 2000 Julian Aberbach
- 2001 Ralph Peer
- 2002 Edward P. Murphy
- 2003 Nicholas Firth
- 2004 Les Bider
- 2005 Beebe Bourne
- 2006 Allen Klein
- 2007 Don Kirshner
- 2008 Milt Okun
- 2009 Maxyne Lang
- 2010 Keith Mardak
- 2012 lance Freed
Board of Directors Award[edit]
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.[6]
- 1986 Jule Styne
- 1988 Stanley Adams
- 1992 Edward P. Murphy
- 1996 Anna Sosenko & Oscar Brand
- 1997 Thomas A. Dorsey
Contemporary Icon Award[edit]
The Contemporary Icon Award was established in 2015 to recognize songwriter-artists who attained an iconic status in pop culture. The American singer Lady Gaga was the first artist to win the award.[7]
- 2015 Lady Gaga
Hal David Starlight Award[edit]
The Hal David Starlight Award, created in 2004, was renamed in honor of the SHOF Chairman for his longtime 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.[8]
- 2004 Rob Thomas (Matchbox Twenty)
- 2005 Alicia Keys
- 2006 John Mayer
- 2007 John Legend
- 2008 John Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls)
- 2009 Jason Mraz
- 2010 Taylor Swift
- 2011 Drake
- 2012 Ne-Yo
- 2013 Benny Blanco
- 2014 Dan Reynolds (Imagine Dragons)
- 2015 Nate Ruess (Fun)
- 2016 Nick Jonas
- 2017 - Ed Sheeran
Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award[edit]
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.[9][10]
- 1981 Chuck Berry
- 1983 Rosemary Clooney & Margaret Whiting
- 1990 Whitney Houston
- 1991 Barry Manilow
- 1995 Michael Bolton
- 1996 Gloria Estefan
- 1998 Diana Ross
- 1999 Natalie Cole
- 2000 Johnny Mathis
- 2001 Dionne Warwick
- 2002 Garth Brooks
- 2003 Clive Davis
- 2008 Anne Murray
- 2009 Tom Jones
- 2010 Phil Ramone
- 2011 Chaka Khan
- 2014 Doug Morris
- 2016 Seymour Stein
Johnny Mercer Award[edit]

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.[11][12][13]
- 1980 Frank Sinatra
- 1981 Yip Harburg
- 1982 Harold Arlen
- 1983 Sammy Cahn
- 1985 Alan Jay Lerner
- 1986 Mitchell Parish
- 1987 Jerry Herman
- 1990 Jerry Bock & Sheldon Harnick
- 1991 Betty Comden & Adolph Green
- 1992 Burton Lane
- 1993 Jule Styne
- 1994 Irving Caesar
- 1995 Cy Coleman
- 1996 Burt Bacharach & Hal David
- 1997 Alan Bergman & Marilyn Bergman
- 1998 Paul Simon
- 1999 Stephen Sondheim
- 2000 Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller
- 2001 Billy Joel
- 2002 Michael Jackson
- 2003 Jimmy Webb
- 2004 Stevie Wonder
- 2005 Smokey Robinson
- 2006 Kris Kristofferson
- 2007 Dolly Parton
- 2008 Paul Anka
- 2009 HollandDozierHolland
- 2010 Phil Collins
- 2011 Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil
- 2013 Elton John & Bernie Taupin
- 2014 Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff
- 2015 Van Morrison
- 2016 Lionel Richie
Patron of the Arts[edit]
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.[14]
- 1988 Martin Segal
- 1989 Roger Enrico
- 1990 Edgar Bronfman Jr.
- 1991 Edwin M. Cooperman
- 1992 Jonathan Tisch
- 1993 Michel Roux
- 1994 Philip Dusenberry
- 1995 Theodore J. Forstmann
- 1996 Sumner Redstone
- 1997 Dr. Samuel LeFrak
- 1998 David Checketts
- 1999 Robert Mondavi
- 2001 Iris Cantor
- 2003 Martin Bandier
- 2004 Michael Goldstein
- 2005 Henry Juszkiewicz
Pioneer Award[edit]
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.[15][16]
- 2012 Woody Guthrie
- 2013 Berry Gordy
Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award[edit]
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.[17]
- 1980 Ethel Merman
- 1981 Tony Bennett
- 1982 Dinah Shore
- 1983 Willie Nelson
- 1984 Benny Goodman
- 1985 John Hammond
- 1987 Jerry Wexler
- 1988 Dick Clark
- 1989 Quincy Jones
- 1990 B.B. King
- 1991 Gene Autry
- 1992 Nat King Cole
- 1993 Ray Charles
- 1994 Lena Horne
- 1995 Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorm
- 1996 Frankie Laine
- 1997 Vic Damone
- 1998 Berry Gordy
- 1999 Kenny Rogers
- 2000 Neil Diamond
- 2001 Gloria & Emilio Estefan
- 2002 Stevie Wonder
- 2003 Patti LaBelle
- 2004 Neil Sedaka
- 2005 Les Paul
- 2006 Peter, Paul & Mary
- 2012 Bette Midler
Scholarship Awards[edit]
Abe Olman Scholarship[edit]
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.[18]
- 1989
- Todd and Lee Borom (SHOF)
- Jeffrey Bernstein (ASCAP)
- Juliana Nash (BMI)
- Jimmy Furino (SGA)
- 1990
- Nancy Magarill & H. Sefus Henderson (ASCAP)
- April Higuera (BMI)
- Emil Trombino, Sal Trombino & Walter Zelinski (SHOF)
- Thomas Kjellberg (SGA)
- 1991
- Nanette Maxine Brown (ASCAP)
- Dee Ann Macomson (SGA)
- Ellen OBrien & Rich Campbell (SHOF)
- Pantera Saint-Montaigne (BMI)
- 1992
- Mark Batson (BMI)
- Lorraine Ferro & Stephanie Lewis (SHOF)
- Darren Quinlan (ASCAP)
- David Stewart (SGA)
- 1993
- Ilene Angel (SHOF)
- Gregory Cohen & Matthew Lewis (BMI)
- Mike Flynn (SGA)
- Anika Peress (ASCAP)
- 1994
- Jazmin Jackson (ASCAP)
- Rebecca Martin (BMI)
- Amy Powers & Stephanie Salzman (SHOF)
- Alan Wolpert & Bill Pitzonka (SGA)
- 1995
- Mike Blaxill (BMI)
- Janie Coulter & Barry Wittenstein (SHOF)
- Tina de Varon (ASCAP)
- Caroline Horn (SGA)
- 1996
- Cara Beckenstein (SGA)
- Tamara Feinman (SESAC)
- Nicole Johnson (BMI)
- Pilley (ASCAP)
- Liz Queler (SHOF)
- 1997
- Stephanie Cooke (ASCAP)
- Amanda Green (SHOF)
- Lauren Kinhan (SESAC)
- Dan Siegler (BMI)
- Richard Winter (SGA)
- 1998
- Chris Alastair (ASCAP)
- Chris Moore (BMI)
- Ivy Markaity (SESAC)
- Clare Cooper (SGA)
- Sandy Fredrickseon (SHOF)
- 1999
- Mike Errico (SHOF)
- Delilah Harris (SESAC)
- Natasha Ming (BMI)
- Jean Norris (ASCAP)
- Stephen Rosenthal (SGA)
- 2000
- Angela Ai (SHOF)
- Jabe Beyer (SESAC)
- Edie Carey (BMI)
- James Day (ASCAP)
- Nina Mankin (SGA)
- 2001
- Sophia Ramos Dupre (SESAC)
- Tabitha Fair (BMI)
- Carrie FitzGibbon (SHOF)
- James Glasco (ASCAP)
- Stephen Goldfinger (SGA)
- 2002

- Colin Brooks (SESAC)
- Elizabeth Jordan (SHOF)
- Lee Kweller (SGA)
- Johnny Rodgers (ASCAP)
- John Stephens (aka John Legend) (BMI)
- 2003
- Janice FitzGerald (SHOF)
- Karen Jacobsen (SESAC)
- Michael McLeod (SGA)
- Jeanine Smith (BMI)
- Meleni Smith (ASCAP)
- 2004
- Bliss: Kiirsten Moore (BMI)
- David Ippolito (SGA)
- Michele Jaffe (SHOF)
- Lori McKenna (ASCAP)
- Sofia-Jay: Jay & Jennifer Lyons (SESAC)
- 2005
- Laurel Barclay & Matt Katz-Bohen of Daddy (SESAC)
- Loretta Collins (SGA)
- Kiara Duran (NAPM)
- Morley Kamen (ASCAP)
- Sylvia Tosun (BMI)
- 2006
- Cassandra Kubinski
- Summer Johnson
- Wes Hutchinson
- Annie Dinerman
- Susan Cagle
- 2007
- Dan Ferrari
- Jayms Madison
- Alice Smith
- Jodi Shaw
- Adam Falcon
- 2008
- Galia Arad
- Linda Kiraly
- Reeve Carney
- Watt White
- Shelly Bhushan
- 2009
- Madi Diaz
- Michael Grubbs
- April Smith
- Kirsten Thien
- Natalie Warner
- 2010
- Gabriella Caspi
- Keli Price
- Comic Book Heroes
- Rebecca Jordan
- Chris Tedesco
- 2011
- Erin Christine
- Markeisha Ensley
- Rachel Brown
- Nenna Yvonne & Daniel Wisniewski
- Jason Kingston
- 2012
- Shea Rose
- Jody Mulgrew
- Bebe Rexha
- Jeremy Current
- Lyle Divinsky
- 2013
- Amy Allen
- Ro James
- Emily Warren
- Kat Edmonson
- Tyler Lyle
- 2014
- Cobaine Ivory
- Sydney Wayser
- Travis Nilan
- Claire Wilkinson
- Audra Mae
The Holly Prize[edit]
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.[19]
The NYU Steinhardt Songwriting Scholar Award[edit]
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.[20]
- AJ Smith
- David Marenberg
- Monica Cialona
- Shan Gao
- Tiger Darrow
Towering Performance Award[edit]
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.[21]
- 2005 Bill Medley
- 2009 Andy Williams
- 2012 Ben E. King
Towering Song Award[edit]
The Towering Song Award is given to creators of an individual song that has influenced the culture in a unique way over the years.[22][23][10]
- 1995 "As Time Goes By" (written by Herman Hupfeld)
- 1996 "Happy Birthday To You" (written by Patty Hill and Mildred J. Hill)
- 1997 "How High The Moon" (lyrics by Nancy Hamilton and music by Morgan Lewis)
- 1998 "The Christmas Song" (written by Robert Wells and Mel Torm)
- 1999 "Fly Me To The Moon" (written by Bart Howard)
- 2000 "All of Me" (written by Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons)
- 2000 "You Are My Sunshine" (recorded by Jimmie Davis)
- 2001 "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" (lyrics by Beth Slater Whitson and music by Leo Friedman)
- 2002 "You're a Grand Old Flag" (written by George M. Cohan)
- 2003 "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" (written by George Cory and Douglass Cross)
- 2004 "What the World Needs Now is Love" (lyrics by Hal David and music by Burt Bacharach)
- 2005 "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" (written by Phil Spector, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil)
- 2006 "When the Saints Go Marching In" (lyrics by Katharine Purvis and music by James Milton Black)
- 2008 "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" (lyrics by Jack Norworth and music by Albert Von Tilzer)
- 2009 "Moon River" (lyrics by Johnny Mercer and music by Henry Mancini)
- 2010 "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (written by Paul Simon)
- 2011 "It Was a Very Good Year" (written by Ervin Drake)
- 2012 "Stand by Me" ( written by Ben E. King, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller)
- 2013 "A Change Is Gonna Come" (written by Sam Cooke)
- 2014 "Over The Rainbow" (lyrics by E.Y. Harburg and music by Harold Arlen)
- 2015 "What a Wonderful World" (written by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss)
Visionary Leadership Award[edit]
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.[24][25]
- 2013 Hal David
- 2014 Del Bryant
- 2015 John A. Lofrumento
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "About Us". Songwriters Hall of Fame. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
- ^ "Songwriters Hall of Fame Honorees Range from Gaga to Grateful Dead". Variety. June 18, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
- ^ The Lives & Music of Queen ABC. Retrieved June 11, 2011
- ^ 2003 Award and Induction Ceremony: Queen Songwriters Hall of Fame. Retrieved June 11, 2011
- ^ "Abe Olman Publisher Award". The Songwriters Hall of Fame. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
- ^ "Board of Directors Award". The Songwriters Hall of Fame. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
- ^ "Lady Gaga To Receive First-Ever Contemporary Icon Award". Songwriters Hall of Fame. April 23, 2015. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
- ^ "Hal David Starlight Award". The Songwriters Hall of Fame. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
- ^ "Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award". The Songwriters Hall of Fame. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
- ^ a b "Songwriters Hall Of Fame Celebrates The Best Of Songwriting Legends". The Songwriters Hall of Fame. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
- ^ Christman, Ed (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.
- ^ "Johnny Mercer Award". The Songwriters Hall of Fame. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
- ^ "The Johnny Mercer Award Winners". The Johnny Mercer Foundation. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
- ^ "Patron of the Arts". The Songwriters Hall of Fame. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
- ^ "Highlights From The 2012 Songwriters Hall Of Fame Awards". American Songwriter. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
- ^ "Berry Gordy to Receive Pioneer Award From Songwriters Hall of Fame". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
- ^ "Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award". The Songwriters Hall of Fame. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
- ^ "Abe Olman Scholarship". The Songwriters Hall of Fame. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
- ^ "The Holly Prize". The Songwriters Hall of Fame. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
- ^ "The NYU Steinhardt Songwriting Scholar Award". The Songwriters Hall of Fame. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
- ^ "Towering Performance". The Songwriters Hall of Fame. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
- ^ "Towering Songs". The Songwriters Hall of Fame. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
- ^ "Songwriters Hall Of Fame Celebrates The Best Of Songwriting Legends". The Songwriters Hall of Fame. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
- ^ "BMI Head Del Bryant to Be Presented With Visionary Leadership Award at Songwriters Hall of Fame". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
- ^ "ASCAP CEO John A. Lofrumento To Be Honored With Visionary Leadership Award". The Songwriters Hall of Fame. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
External links[edit]
- Official website
- NAMM Oral History Interview with Linda Moran June 12, 2013