About the Songwriters Hall of Fame

Songwriters Hall of Fame’s ongoing mission is to celebrate and honor the contributions of our great popular music songwriters who have written the soundtrack for our nation’s history, while developing new writing talent through workshops, showcases, scholarships and digital initiatives.

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. Songwriter Johnny Mercer and publishers Abe Olman and Howie Richmond who founded the organization wanted to shine the spotlight on the accomplishments of songwriters who have provided us with the words and music that form the soundtrack of our lives. Each year the Hall of Fame inducts a slate of songwriters voted on by the membership at an awards gala that has been recognized by the music industry and the media as the most important of the year. In this digital age, the Hall of Fame has put together an award-winning online museum to honor songwriters who have been inducted. This has become a leading destination for music industry professionals and researchers, along with popular music fans. 

There are well over 300 inductees who make up the impressive roster inhabiting the Hall of Fame. Some include John Fogerty, Isaac Hayes and David Porter, Steve Cropper, Richard and Robert Sherman, Bill Withers, Carole King, Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, Sir Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Brian Wilson, James Taylor, James Brown, Bruce Springsteen, Curtis Mayfield, Hal David and Burt Bacharach, Jim Croce, Phil Collins, Alan and Marilyn Bergman, Jimmy Webb, Van Morrison, Kris Kristofferson, Dolly Parton and Cy Coleman among many, many others. 

For the last several years, the music industry focus every June has been on the “Songwriters Hall of Fame Week.”  During this special week culminating with the Annual Awards gala, the Hall of Fame sponsors other activities, one being the series of acclaimed “Master Class” events, in which songwriters the likes of Hal David and Jimmy Webb talk about their craft and answer questions posed by the audience. During the course of each year, the Hall of Fame hosts many special series, including the groundbreaking “Words About Music.” This is part of an offering of conversations and music, providing a unique look at some of America’s most admired songwriters, lyricists and composers. 

The Hall of Fame not only celebrates these established songwriters, but is also devoted to the development of new songwriting talent through workshops, showcases and scholarships. There is an array of programs designed to teach up-and-coming songwriters the craft and business, while then giving them a platform upon which to shine. We host groups of seminars designed to offer our members an opportunity to interact with working songwriters about their experiences in the industry and their process of songwriting, thus providing new perspectives.

The Hall of Fame has specifically concentrated on digital initiatives, developing two distinct sides to our songhall.org website; both serving to combine an array of innovative features and a wealth of informational content. Those who go to the Virtual Museum will find it provides a much needed and comprehensive research tool. A full list of our esteemed inductees with over 250,000 records of data and over 10,000 pages of content that include biographies, discographies, audio clips, photo galleries, timelines and recommended materials profiling their lives and their works can be accessed there. The other side of songhall.org is geared toward our membership and enhancing communications with the songwriting community. The Hall of Fame has taken great pride in laying the groundwork for the process of building a community with resources to assist our members in all aspects of the art and business of songwriting. This has become the premier go-to songwriter organization, whether it’s to research history or plan the future.

Join us! Our mission is to remember and honor our great songwriters while building our musical future, and as Chairman/CEO and legendary lyricist Hal David has said, “Over the past four decades, the Songwriters Hall of Fame has come to represent the legacy of great popular songs in all of their richness and variety. They break down barriers and bring people from every walk of life and all corners of our world together, as one.