NaSHOF Adds Don Cook & Jodi Marr As Directors

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Don Cook & Jodi Marr

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation (NaSHOF) has expanded its Board of Directors with the addition of Hall of Fame songwriter Don Cook and songwriter, producer, and Belmont University educator Jodi Marr.

“We are so excited to have Don and Jodi join our board,” says Rich Hallworth, Chair of the organization’s Board of Directors. “They bring a wealth of experience and expertise to enhance our mission to honor the legacy of our members and to celebrate Nashville as home to the finest songwriters from all genres of music.”

Born in San Antonio, Cook began writing songs at 12 and made his first demo at 14. He spent his teenage years performing in Houston coffeehouses before moving to Nashville shortly after graduating from the University of Texas. There, he connected with publisher Don Gant, who signed him to Acuff-Rose Publishing. When Gant later moved to Tree Publishing, Cook joined him.

During his first year at Tree, Cook earned 11 cuts, including The Oak Ridge Boys’ “Cryin’ Again” and John Conlee’s “Lady Lay Down,” which became Cook’s first No. 1 as a songwriter. He continued to place hits throughout the 1980s, including Conway Twitty’s “Julia,” T. Graham Brown’s “I Wish That I Could Hurt That Way Again,” Steve Wariner’s “Small Town Girl” and Lee Greenwood’s “Somebody’s Gonna Love You.”

In the early 1990s, Cook co-wrote Brooks & Dunn’s debut single, “Brand New Man,” and began producing the duo. Their partnership produced several No. 1 hits, including “My Next Broken Heart,” “Only In America” and “You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone.”

Marr is an award-winning songwriter, producer, composer, author and educator whose career has included work across pop, Latin, country and international music. She has written and produced for artists including Dolly Parton, Ricky Martin, Carole King, Kristin Chenoweth, Charli XCX, Melanie C, Orianthi, Iam Tongi, Rita Wilson, Jordin Sparks, Monica, Sara Evans and Johnny Reid.

Marr co-wrote and produced several songs on Mika’s multi-platinum debut album Life in Cartoon Motion, including the global No. 1 “Grace Kelly,” which earned Ivor Novello and BRIT Awards. She also co-wrote and produced Paloma Faith’s breakout hit “New York.” At Belmont University, Marr teaches Commercial Songwriting and Artist Development. She also created a course focused on Artist Identity and Development and developed a Dolly Parton songwriting curriculum through Belmont’s partnership with the artist.

Also serving on the 17-member board are Hallworth (Chair), Acorn Health (President & Chief Executive Officer), Gretchen Peters (Vice-Chair), Sharon Vaughn (Secretary), Mike Vaden (Treasurer), Pat Alger, Doug Howard, Amy Kurland, Gary Nicholson, Robert K. Oermann, Ken Paulson, Fiona Whelan Prine, Barry Neil Shrum, Anthony L. Smith, John Stein and John Van Mol. Mark Ford is the nonprofit’s Executive Director.

Madison Hahnen
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