John Jarrard To Be Inducted Into Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame

John Jarrard

The late John Jarrard will be inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF) at the 53rd anniversary NaSHOF Gala on Oct. 11 at Nashville’s Music City Center.

Jarrard was elected in NaSHOF’s Legacy category, which is designed specifically to honor hall of fame-worthy candidates who are deceased. He will be inducted posthumously alongside the previously announced members of the Class of 2023 – Keith Urban, Kix Brooks, Casey Beathard, David Lee Murphy and Rafe Van Hoy. The six new inductees-elect will join the 235 existing members of the Hall, which was established in 1970.

A native of Gainesville, Georgia, he moved to Nashville in 1977 to pursue a songwriting career. Within a year the University of Georgia graduate began to lose his sight to diabetes, and by 1979 he was totally blind. Undaunted, Jarrard became a familiar figure on Music Row, negotiating its streets on foot with the use of a cane. His determination never failed, and in 1983 Don Williams scored a chart-topping hit with his song “Nobody But You.”

Throughout the ’80s, more hits followed including “There’s No Way” by Alabama, “What’s A Memory Like You (Doin’ In A Love Like This)” by John Schneider, “Lonely Alone” by The Forester Sisters, “You’ve Got The Touch” by Alabama and “Shouldn’t It Be Easier Than This” by Charley Pride. In the ’90s, Jarrard scored more top five trend hits with “Mirror, Mirror” by Diamond Rio, “Money In The Bank” by John Anderson, “My Kind Of Girl” by Collin Raye and “Blue Clear Sky” by George Strait.

“We’re gratified to see John Jarrard memorialized in this year’s class,” says Rich Hallworth, NaSHOF Board of Directors Chair. “Through memorable songs such as “Money In The Bank” by John Anderson and “Blue Clear Sky” by George Strait, John will be remembered always.  He is richly deserving of our ultimate recognition.”

Jarrard is also a 2010 inductee into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.