Songwriters Hall Of Fame Debuts ‘Power Of Song’ Exhibit At Belmont University

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Linda Moran, SHOF President & CEO with Bill Anderson, SHOF Inductee

The Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF) recently held a VIP event at Belmont University to launch its traveling exhibit, “The Power of Song: A Songwriters Hall of Fame Exhibition,” which is currently on public display at the school now through April 21 at the Lila D. Bunch Library. 

Attendees of the special kickoff event included: Bill Anderson, SHOF Inductee; Tim Nichols, songwriter; Tom Douglas, songwriter; Rusty Gaston, CEO of Sony Music Publishing Nashville; Steve Dorff, SHOF Inductee & Board Member; and more.

Hosted by the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business, the exhibit illuminates the art of songwriting, celebrating the legacy and works of SHOF inductees and other songwriters who have received special honors or awards from the nonprofit. “The Power of Song: A Songwriters Hall of Fame Exhibition” pays tribute to masters of the craft, offering a rare glimpse behind the creation of some of the most popular hits of all time.

The Belmont exhibition was curated with the intent of educating students and guests on the musical contributions of the SHOF’s all-genre inductees and honorees. Visitors are greeted with a sizzle reel of performances from the SHOF’s Annual Induction Ceremony and Awards Gala. The displays include an array of wall tiles with handwritten lyrics and background on songs written by SHOF inductees and honorees. Admission is free of charge.

The exhibit also includes a SHOF original film featuring conversations with inductees Jimmy Jam, Toby Keith, Carole King, Smokey Robinson, Carole Bayer Sager and Diane Warren sharing stories behind their legendary songs and creative process. Additionally, an interactive kiosk  consists of interviews with Keith, Robinson, Carole King and Don Schlitz. Rare artifacts on display include Cole Porter’s walking stick, and instruments used by hitmakers Benny Blanco, Halsey, Terry Lewis, Post Malone, John Mellencamp and Bill Withers.

Since 2010, the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles has served as a physical home of the SHOF Gallery. The ongoing collaboration led to development of the new traveling exhibit, which first debuted at City University of New York Graduate Center in the summer of 2022. Due to the success and industry support, SHOF’s Board of Directors significantly broadened the exhibit scope and launched it earlier this year at the Grammy Museum, where it was on display before moving to Nashville to be part of Belmont University’s 50 Years of Music Business Education Celebration. For Belmont University, the exhibit has been uniquely curated with an educational focus, as it will also be used by students for research purposes.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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