The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF) revealed its Class of 2025 inductees this morning (Aug. 6) at press conference on Music Row. It was announced that Emmylou Harris, Brad Paisley, Jim Lauderdale, Don Cook, Steve Bogard and Tony Martin will become members of the esteemed Hall in October.
The six will join the 247 previously-inducted members when they are formally inducted during the 55th Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on Monday, Oct. 6, at the Music City Center.
The news was shared by Rich Hallworth, Chair of the organization’s board of directors, and Mark Ford, its Executive Director, at Nashville’s historic Columbia Studio A – part of Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business.
“Gathering as we do each year – to reveal and welcome the members of our incoming class – is truly one of the highlights of our calendar,” said Hallworth. “To these outstanding songwriters, we say – thank you for sharing your songs and your artistry with us. We are proud to honor you this fall, when you will officially join your legendary peers in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.”
Ford introduced each member of the new class at the press conference event. Bogard and Martin were elected in the contemporary songwriter category; Lauderdale in the contemporary songwriter/artist category; Cook as the veteran songwriter, Harris as the veteran songwriter/artist, and Paisley, who was elected in 2024 but deferred at his request to 2025, as the contemporary songwriter/artist.
Below is bio information for each inductee, provided by the NaSHOF:
STEVE BOGARD [electee – contemporary songwriter category]
Florida native Steve Bogard’s songwriting path began in Tampa where his teenage Rock band days led to two solo-penned singles on Scepter Records. Following a move to Memphis, where he scored a top 20 R&B hit with James Carr, Steve made his next move to Miami as a 19-year-old staff writer for Atlantic Records, where he garnered cuts by Rita Coolidge, Delaney & Bonnie, and others. Steve followed with solo albums in Canada and the U.K. Then in 1979, one of his 11-year-old songs, “Touch Me With Magic,” was released by Marty Robbins, reached No. 15 Country, and became a BMI-award winner. Steve moved to Nashville in 1982. His first No. 1, Lee Greenwood’s “Mornin’ Ride,” came five years later and was followed by more No. 1’s: “New Fool At an Old Game” by Reba McEntire, “Carried Away” and “Carrying Your Love With Me” (both by George Strait), “Wherever You Are” by Jack Ingram, and “Seein’ Red” by Dustin Lynch. In 2000, “Prayin’ For Daylight” launched Rascal Flatts’ career as their debut single, and in 2006 and 2007, two of Steve’s songs by Dierks Bentley were nominated for Grammys – “Every Mile A Memory” and “Long Trip Alone.”
TONY MARTIN [electee – contemporary songwriter category]
Born in Georgia and raised in Nashville, Tony Martin has been around country songwriting his entire life. The son of country composer Glenn Martin, Tony grew up at the feet of other stellar songwriters such as Sonny Throckmorton, Mickey Newbury, and Hank Cochran. During his time as a journalist for a Chicago newspaper, Tony was writing parody songs for fun when his father urged him to take his talent more seriously. In 1988, Tony wrote “Baby’s Gotten Good At Goodbye,” which his father successfully pitched to George Strait. The song proved to be the dream scenario for a songwriter. It was Tony’s first demo, first cut, first single, first hit and first No. 1. Since that time, Tony has added more chart-topping hits to his resume. Among those are “A Little More Summertime” by Jason Aldean, “I’ll Think Of A Reason Later” by Lee Ann Womack, “Just To See You Smile” by Tim McGraw, “Living And Living Well” and “Go On” (both by George Strait), “No Place That Far” by Sara Evans, “Settle For A Slow Down” by Dierks Bentley, “Third Rock From The Sun” by Joe Diffie, and “You Look Good In My Shirt” by Keith Urban.
DON COOK [electee – veteran songwriter category]
Don Cook was born in San Antonio, Texas. He was writing songs by age 12, recording his first demo by age 14 and playing various Houston coffeehouses throughout his teenage years. Three days after his graduation from the University of Texas, Don arrived in Nashville. He soon met publisher Don Gant, who signed him to a deal at Acuff-Rose Publishing. When Gant moved to Tree Publishing, Don followed. In his first year at Tree he had 11 cuts, including “Cryin’ Again” by The Oak Ridge Boys and “Lady Lay Down” by John Conlee — Don’s first No. 1 as a songwriter. Other hits followed in the ’80s, including “Julia” by Conway Twitty, “I Wish That I Could Hurt That Way Again” by T. Graham Brown, “Small Town Girl” by Steve Wariner and “Somebody’s Gonna Love You” by Lee Greenwood. In the early ’90s, Don co-wrote “Brand New Man,” the first single for Brooks & Dunn, and began to produce the duo, a collaboration that yielded the co-written No. 1 hits “My Next Broken Heart,” “Only In America” and “You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone,” among others.
JIM LAUDERDALE [electee – contemporary songwriter/artist category]
Born in Troutman, North Carolina, Jim Lauderdale grew up in Due West, South Carolina. After college graduation in 1979, Jim made his way to Nashville for a few months before moving on to New York. By the late 1980s, Jim had joined the national touring production of Pump Boys & Dinettes and relocated to Los Angeles, where he began to find traction musically as a writer and performer. In the early 1990s Jim returned to Nashville, where he began to land early cuts by George Strait. By the mid ’90s Jim’s songs were finding homes on the country chart: “Gonna Get A Life” by Mark Chesnutt, “Halfway Down” by Patty Loveless and “You Don’t Seem To Miss Me” by Loveless & George Jones. Near the end of the decade Strait had top 5 hits with Jim’s “We Really Shouldn’t Be Doing This” and “What Do You Say To That” (originally recorded by Jim on BNA Records in 1998). Across Jim’s career as an Americana recording artist, he has released 37 albums – achieving two Grammy wins for Bluegrass Album of the Year and charting bluegrass hits such as “Mighty Lonesome,” “One Blue Mule” and “Iodine.” His collaborations with Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys have yielded the bluegrass top 10 “I Feel Like Singing Today” and “She’s Looking At Me,” the 2002 AMA Song of the Year. Jim was honored with the AMA’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.
EMMYLOU HARRIS [electee – veteran songwriter/artist category]
Birmingham, Alabama-born Emmylou Harris was raised in North Carolina and Virginia. By high school, she was obsessed with playing guitar. Graduating as valedictorian, she eventually left college for the folk music scene in New York’s Greenwich Village. Signing with Jubilee Records, she released her debut album in 1970 with five self-penned songs. Moving to Washington, D.C., she met Gram Parsons, joined his band, and discovered a passion for country music. Following Parson’s untimely death, Emmylou formed her own band and signed with Reprise Records. Her 1975 release featured her classic “Boulder To Birmingham.” Though Emmylou recorded her own songs sporadically until the 2000s, her “White Line” reached No. 14 country in 1985, and her “Heartbreak Hill” reached No. 8 country in 1989. Her co-written “In My Hour Of Darkness,” recorded by Gram Parsons in 1973, re-emerged in 2007 as a No. 15 bluegrass hit for John Starling & Carolina Star. Emmylou’s “Sweetheart Of The Pines” from 1986 became a No. 17 bluegrass hit for Dale Ann Bradley in 2016. Other songs from Emmylou include “A River For Him,” “Amarillo,” “Red Dirt Girl,” “The Pearl” and “Woman Walk The Line.” She is a 1995 inductee into the SPBGMA Hall of Greats, a 2008 inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and a 2018 recipient of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
BRAD PAISLEY [electee – contemporary songwriter/artist category 2024]
Brad Paisley was born and raised in Glen Dale, West Virginia. He received his first guitar from his grandfather, who taught him to play at eight years old. At age 13, Brad wrote his first song, which he performed publicly, and which eventually led him to an eight-year stint performing on Wheeling’s Jamboree USA. After high-school graduation and two years at West Liberty State College, Brad was awarded a fully paid ASCAP scholarship to Belmont University in Nashville where he majored in music business. A week after graduating from Belmont, Brad signed as a writer with EMI Music Publishing. Following cuts by David Kersh, David Ball and Tracy Byrd, Brad signed with Arista Nashville and soon began to record his own songs. As an artist, he has placed 33 self-penned top 20 songs on the Billboard charts, including 15 No. 1s and 14 more in the top 10. Among those compositions are “He Didn’t Have To Be,” “Alcohol,” “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song),” “Celebrity,” “Ticks,” “Letter To Me,” “Then,” “This Is Country Music,” “Water,” and his duet with Carrie Underwood “Remind Me.” A member of the Grand Ole Opry since 2001, Brad was ASCAP’s 2004 Country Songwriter/Artist of the Year. He was NSAI’s Songwriter/Artist of the Year in 2002 and 2005.
Jake Mitchell Signs With Riser House
/by Lauryn SinkPictured (L-R, back row): Allison Pilotti (Riser House), Aaron Steinberg (Counsel, Riser House), Lauren Spahn (Counsel, Riser House), Matt Cottingham (Counsel, Jake Mitchell). (L-R, front row): Brandon Perdue (Riser House), Teddy, Jake Mitchell and Kirby Mathews (Riser House).
Writer-producer Jake Mitchell has signed an exclusive songwriting deal with Riser House.
Mitchell is known for his work on songs “One Beer” (HARDY, Lauren Alaina, Devin Dawson), “Some Girls” (Jameson Rodgers), “Unapologetically Country As Hell” (HARDY) and “Beer Don’t” (Morgan Wallen), along with additional releases from artists like Jordan Davis, Ashley McBryde, Kane Brown and Luke Bryan. Mitchell’s catalog of releases currently tops 2.5 billion on-demand streams. Additionally, he recently partnered with Riser House to sign Aaron Armstrong to a publishing agreement.
“I’ve known Jake for a long time, and have loved his writing for just as long,” says SVP of A&R + Publishing at Riser House, Brandon Perdue. “When I found out he was starting to look for his next publishing home, I immediately threw our name in the ring. To have the chance to work with such an incredible talent, who also happens to be an incredible human, is a publisher’s dream. It’s been so incredible to see that the rest of the community loves Jake just as much as we do. My entire team is ready to win, and win big, with Jake.”
“I couldn’t feel more blessed and thankful to have a team that understands me creatively and is aligned with my goals so quickly,” says Mitchell. “I’m ready to show up in this next season with a passion that inspires everyone I’m working with. I’m so excited to be with Brandon and the rest of the team at Riser House!”
On The Row: Zach John King Brings His Own Twist to Tradition
/by Lauryn SinkZach John King. Photo: Emma Shane Heim
Zach John King recently stopped by the MusicRow office to share a few songs. Blending storytelling, humor and a keen sense of self, his songs reveal a perspective that’s both relatable and distinctly his own.
The Georgia-born, Nashville-based Sony Music Nashville artist moved to town to be a songwriter, but quickly realized he missed having a chance to share his own stories from the stage. The self-titled “wannabe cowboy” brings a voice that balances humor, grit and honesty, making each song feel like a peek into his world.
Zach John King visits with MusicRow team
“When it comes to my artistry, I want to make sure what you see is what you get. The more specific you are to yourself, the more people relate to it.”
King kicked off the visit by playing his introspective “Wannabe Cowboy,” a track about navigating the line between family tradition and his own version of life.
“Everyone moves here to be a cowboy. You look up to Waylon [Jennings] and Merle [Haggard] and think, ‘wow, those are awesome people.’ The only problem is I live in a cul-de-sac and I don’t really love horses,” King joked. “But, my grandparents lived out in Albuquerque, New Mexico and my granddad is a cowboy. That’s in my blood too.”
He followed that with the reflective “I Deserve A Heartbreak,” a tune King wrote about regretting how he ended a past relationship. He closed out his visit with fan-favorite “Lose You,” his highest streaming single to date.
King will finish out the summer opening Morgan Wallen’s “I’m The Problem Tour” before joining Luke Bryan and Gavin Adcock for select dates this fall.
Megan Moroney Celebrates Second No. 1 Hit With ‘Am I Okay?’
/by Lauryn SinkPictured (L-R): Luke Laird, Jessie Jo Dillon, Megan Moroney and Kristian Bush. Photo: Catherine Powell
Megan Moroney gathered the Nashville music industry on Monday afternoon at her Emo Cowgirl Bar on Westin Nashville’s L27 rooftop to celebrate her most recent No. 1 hit, “Am I Okay?.” Hosted by SESAC, the event honored the artists, songwriters, publishers and industry team members who contributed to the single’s success.
The song, penned by Moroney, Jessie Jo Dillon and Luke Laird, and produced by Kristian Bush, marked the artist’s second No. 1 at radio, following her breakout hit “Tennessee Orange.”
The event was emceed by SESAC’s Shannan Hatch. Industry leaders took the microphone to honor each artist, writer and producer including BMI’s Leslie Roberts, Creative Nation/GMR’s Emily Furman, Big Machine Music’s Alex Heddle, Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston, Sony Music Nashville’s Dennis Reese and Pinnacle’s David Devaul.
Pictured (Front Row, L-R): Emily Furman (Creative Nation), Jessie Jo Dillon (BMI/Songwriter), Megan Moroney (SESAC/Songwriter), Kristian Bush (BMI/Producer), Rusty Gaston (Sony Music Publishing). (Back Row, L-R): Luke Laird (GMR/Songwriter), Alex Heddle (Big Machine Music), Shannan Hatch (SESAC), Leslie Roberts (BMI). Photo: Catherine Powell
Many of these people spoke of Moroney’s talent, kindness and sharp understanding of her brand. Industry attendees repeatedly highlighted Moroney, Dillon and Laird’s writing dynamic, noting the high level of respect and admiration each one carries for the others.
“I am uniquely here with [Moroney] from the beginning. What this room probably can’t understand is the distance between celebrating right now and how long ago it was that [the team] made this,” Bush shared, referencing his long-standing relationship with Moroney, who interned with him while in college. “I once asked someone for advice on how to become a hit producer. They said it is really simple, just produce hit songs. This was a hit before it got to me.”
“One thing I want to say about Megan is that no matter what gets thrown at her, she holds her head high and is kind,” shared Dillon. “She is such a special human, aside from the music, and I’m so grateful to be your co-writer and your friend.”
Photo: Catherine Powell
Laird, who notched his 25th No. 1 with the song, told the story of discovering Moroney after hearing her sing “Hair Salon” and watching her performance at CMA Fest in 2022, leading him to reach out to ask her to write. “I’m just so grateful. She is always 20 steps ahead of all of us and it is just an honor to be here.”
To close out the celebration, Moroney took the microphone, thanking each member of her team.
“To my songwriters, writing with y’all is so effortless. [Kristian] has produced everything I’ve ever put out and I’m so grateful for you understanding my brain. I have such solid people around me, the producer, the songwriters, my team. I know in every corner I look there are genuine people who want what is best for me. They trust me, and my instincts, and that’s all you can ask for as a songwriter.”
2025 MusicRow Awards Nominees For Producer Of The Year
/by MusicRow StaffFollowing the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 37th annual MusicRow Awards, presented by City National Bank, we take a closer look at the Producer of the Year category. This visionary class of nominees crafted up some of country music’s most innovative projects during the eligibility period of June 1, 2025 to May 31, 2025.
This year’s winners will be announced online on all MusicRow platforms on Wednesday, Sept. 3.
Click here to see the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.
Winners are determined solely by MusicRow Magazine subscribers. Voting is now open and closes on Aug. 15 at 5:00 p.m. To receive a ballot to vote in the MusicRow Awards, become a MusicRow subscriber here.
Will Bundy has continued to build momentum as both a producer and songwriter, contributing to a wide range of rising and established country acts. Over the past year, he produced tracks and projects for Cole Swindell, Ella Langley, Chase Matthew, Bryce Leatherwood, Graham Barham, Drew Green, Lauren Watkins, Hannah McFarland, McCoy Moore, and Jenna Paulette. In May, Bundy earned three ACM Awards, including one for producing Riley Green and Ella Langley’s duet “You Look Like You Love Me.”
Charlie Handsome produced major releases during the eligibility period for artists including Morgan Wallen, Post Malone, Thomas Rhett, Jelly Roll, and Dylan Scott. Alongside Joey Moi, he co-produced Wallen’s fourth studio album I’m The Problem, which debuted at No. 1 in seven countries and helped set a new record for the most simultaneous entries in Billboard Hot 100 history. He also led production on Post Malone’s country album F-1 Trillion. In addition to his production work, Handsome is a chart-topping songwriter.
Dann Huff continued his prolific run with production credits on recent projects by Kane Brown, Mackenzie Carpenter, Ashley Cooke, Brooks & Dunn, Riley Green, Caylee Hammack, Brian Kelley, Chris Lane, Ryan and Rory, Kameron Marlowe, Thomas Rhett, Neon Union, Keith Urban, Brett Young, and more. Highlights from the eligibility period include Riley Green’s Don’t Mind If I Do, Keith Urban’s High, Kane Brown’s The High Road, and Thomas Rhett’s About A Woman. Huff remains one of Nashville’s most sought-after producers.
Jay Joyce remained a go-to producer during the eligibility period, working on key projects for Eric Church, Lainey Wilson, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Whiskey Myers, and LANCO. He produced Church’s Evangeline vs. The Machine and Wilson’s Whirlwind, the latter earning him an ACM Award in May. Joyce also teamed up with Jon Pardi for his fifth studio album Honkytonk Hollywood, continuing a run of genre-shaping collaborations.
Joey Moi produced major releases during the eligibility period for Morgan Wallen, HARDY, ERNEST, Lauren Alaina, Dallas Smith, Lauren Watkins, Jake Worthington, and more. Alongside Charlie Handsome, he co-produced Wallen’s fourth studio album I’m The Problem, which debuted at No. 1 in seven countries and broke the record for the most simultaneous entries in Billboard Hot 100 history. The project also generated multiple country radio hits. Moi is also Partner and President at Big Loud.
Alysa Vanderheym produced Kelsea Ballerini’s album Patterns, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Albums Chart and No. 4 on the Billboard 200—marking a major milestone in Ballerini’s career. She also contributed production to Jelly Roll’s album Beautifully Broken. In addition to her production work, Vanderheym is an accomplished songwriter.
Dolly Parton Named Guinness World Records Icon
/by Lorie HollabaughDolly Parton
Guinness World Records has revealed that in honor of Dolly Parton Day (Aug. 5), Parton has been named a Guinness World Records Icon.
The superstar has earned 11 Guinness World Records titles, and joins a select group of individuals whose world record achievements have transcended their field and inspired people across the globe, with her timeless hits captivating generations for decades. Dolly was presented with her official Icon certificate by GWR spokeswoman Amanda Marcus at her studios in Nashville.
Among Dolly’s latest Guinness titles are: Most consecutive decades with Top 10 album entries on the Billboard country chart (female) – 7, with Rockstar; Longest span of No.1 hits on the U.S. Top Country Albums chart (female) – 46 years 197 days, with Rockstar; Most decades with a Top 20 hit on the US Hot Country Songs chart – 7, with “Please Please Please”; and Most Top 10 entries on the US Top Country Albums chart (female) – 49, with Rockstar.
“Dolly is undoubtedly one of the most celebrated writers and performers in the history of country music, as reflected in her many Guinness World Records certificates, but her reach and influence extends far beyond the musical world,” says Craig Glenday, Editor in Chief at Guinness World Records, “There are so many projects close to her heart – poverty relief, education, medical research and of course the Imagination Library free-books campaign – and it’s these important, life-changing initiatives that propels Dolly into a different league. She truly is a living legend, and it’s an honour to bestow GWR ICON status upon her.”
Previous Guinness ICONS include double amputee triathlete Billy Monger, Polar explorer Preet Chandi, global superstar Taylor Swift and the tallest and shortest women in the world Rumeysa Gelgi and Jyoti Amge.
Public Celebration Of Life Set For Grand Ole Opry Star Jeannie Seely
/by Lorie HollabaughJeannie Seely. Photo: Cyndi Hornsby
A public Celebration of Life for Jeannie Seely titled “Jeannie Seely’s 5,398th Opry Show” will take place for the Grand Ole Opry star and country music legend on Aug. 14 at 10 a.m. at the Opry House in Nashville.
The special event honoring the late Grammy winner will also be available for livestream here. In lieu of flowers, donations in Seely’s name are suggested to a charitable organization that benefits pets and/or to the Opry Trust Fund.
Seely passed away on Aug. 1 from complications of an intestinal infection. She was 85. Seely had battled health issues since last fall which escalated in December following the passing of her husband, Gene Ward, and had undergone multiple back surgeries this spring for vertebrae repairs, as well as two emergency abdominal surgeries.
A beloved Grand Ole Opry star, Seely held the record for the most Opry appearances in history, banking a total of 5,397 performances before her death. Read her full obituary here.
Futureshirts Elevates Matt Pih To Partner & President
/by Lauryn SinkMatt Pih. Photo: Courtesy of Futureshirts
Futureshirts has elevated Matt Pih To Partner and President. Additionally, Cody Johnson, Nikki Glaser and Josh Groban have recently joined the company’s roster, which also includes Journey, Riley Green, Kane Brown, Carly Pearce, Foreigner, TobyMac and more.
“Over the past six years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Matt – an incredible partner, professional and friend, whose dedication and vision have continually inspired me,” says Futureshirts’ Chairman Jon Ekker. “Watching him use his vast knowledge and grow into his new role as Partner and President at Futureshirts is both a proud and exciting moment for me. His leadership, integrity and relentless drive make this next chapter full of promise. I’m excited to see what the future holds and just how far we can go together!”
“Matt has been a driving force in shaping Futureshirts into the company we are today. His leadership, experience and relentless drive to raise the bar make him the perfect Partner and President as we enter our next chapter,” adds Futureshirts’ CEO Corey Neal. “I’m truly grateful to have him by my side and excited for what we’ll accomplish together as we keep building on our mission to make merch easy.”
Since joining Futureshirts in 2019, Pih has spearheaded the company’s strategic shift toward artist services, driving a 165% revenue growth over the past four years. With more than 16 years of diverse experience in the music and live entertainment industry, the Middle Tennessee State University alum has roles from hands-on touring to executive leadership positions with stops at Live Nation Entertainment, Bravado International Group, Manhead and others.
“Since joining Futureshirts, I’ve been committed to building a world-class service that empowers artists and partners to elevate their merchandise strategy across touring, e-commerce and retail,” shares Pih. “What truly sets us apart is our team – every member brings deep experience in merchandise with a true passion for band merch and that love is reflected in our work. I’m honored to step into the role of Partner and President and excited to continue supporting our incredible team, serving our clients and scaling Futureshirts to new heights globally.”
More Performers Added To 18th Annual ACM Honors
/by Madison HahnenMore performers have been added to the 18th annual ACM Honors, taking place Aug. 20 at The Pinnacle.
Those added to the lineup include Carter Faith, Ashley Gorley, K. Michelle and Tucker Wetmore. The four join the previously-announced lineup of Luke Bryan, Russell Dickerson, Karen Fairchild, Amy Grant, Ashley McBryde and Carly Pearce.
All performers will take part in honoring this year’s honorees, Lori Badgett, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Jessie Jo Dillon, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Mac McAnally, Rissi Palmer, Randy Travis, Twisters, Ben Vaughn and Lainey Wilson.
Pearce and Russell Dickerson will co-host the event. Additional performers, presenters and event details will be announced in the coming weeks, and tickets are available here.
Voting Now Open For 2025 MusicRow Awards
/by MusicRow StaffVoting for the 37th annual MusicRow Awards begins today, Wednesday, Aug. 6 and runs through Friday, Aug. 15 at 5:00 p.m. CT. MusicRow subscribers will be receiving their ballots via email.
This year’s winners will be announced online on all MusicRow platforms on Wednesday, Sept. 3. Presenting Sponsor of the 2025 MusicRow Awards is City National Bank.
To receive a ballot to vote in the MusicRow Awards, become a subscriber here.
Read about the 2025 MusicRow Award nominees here.
Now in its 37th year, the MusicRow Awards are Nashville’s longest running music industry trade publication honors and celebrate the achievements of songwriters, artists, producers and more.
The final nominees revealed in this announcement are determined by a committee. For the categories of Breakthrough Songwriter and Breakthrough Artist-Writer, outside nominations are also considered. For the Male and Female Songwriter of the Year categories, nominees are based on data from MusicRow’s Top Songwriter Chart.
New this year are the Studio of the Year and Publishing Company of the Year categories.
All nominations are based on projects that were active between the period of June 1, 2024 and May 31, 2025. Continuing MusicRow’s tradition of recognizing talent behind the scenes, the Top 10 Album All-Star Musician Awards will be presented in conjunction with the MusicRow Awards. These honors salute Nashville’s most in-demand studio players who performed on the most albums reaching the Top 10 of Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart during the eligibility period.
BREAKING: Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame Announces 2025 Inductees
/by LB CantrellThe Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF) revealed its Class of 2025 inductees this morning (Aug. 6) at press conference on Music Row. It was announced that Emmylou Harris, Brad Paisley, Jim Lauderdale, Don Cook, Steve Bogard and Tony Martin will become members of the esteemed Hall in October.
The six will join the 247 previously-inducted members when they are formally inducted during the 55th Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on Monday, Oct. 6, at the Music City Center.
The news was shared by Rich Hallworth, Chair of the organization’s board of directors, and Mark Ford, its Executive Director, at Nashville’s historic Columbia Studio A – part of Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business.
“Gathering as we do each year – to reveal and welcome the members of our incoming class – is truly one of the highlights of our calendar,” said Hallworth. “To these outstanding songwriters, we say – thank you for sharing your songs and your artistry with us. We are proud to honor you this fall, when you will officially join your legendary peers in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.”
Ford introduced each member of the new class at the press conference event. Bogard and Martin were elected in the contemporary songwriter category; Lauderdale in the contemporary songwriter/artist category; Cook as the veteran songwriter, Harris as the veteran songwriter/artist, and Paisley, who was elected in 2024 but deferred at his request to 2025, as the contemporary songwriter/artist.
Below is bio information for each inductee, provided by the NaSHOF:
STEVE BOGARD [electee – contemporary songwriter category]
Florida native Steve Bogard’s songwriting path began in Tampa where his teenage Rock band days led to two solo-penned singles on Scepter Records. Following a move to Memphis, where he scored a top 20 R&B hit with James Carr, Steve made his next move to Miami as a 19-year-old staff writer for Atlantic Records, where he garnered cuts by Rita Coolidge, Delaney & Bonnie, and others. Steve followed with solo albums in Canada and the U.K. Then in 1979, one of his 11-year-old songs, “Touch Me With Magic,” was released by Marty Robbins, reached No. 15 Country, and became a BMI-award winner. Steve moved to Nashville in 1982. His first No. 1, Lee Greenwood’s “Mornin’ Ride,” came five years later and was followed by more No. 1’s: “New Fool At an Old Game” by Reba McEntire, “Carried Away” and “Carrying Your Love With Me” (both by George Strait), “Wherever You Are” by Jack Ingram, and “Seein’ Red” by Dustin Lynch. In 2000, “Prayin’ For Daylight” launched Rascal Flatts’ career as their debut single, and in 2006 and 2007, two of Steve’s songs by Dierks Bentley were nominated for Grammys – “Every Mile A Memory” and “Long Trip Alone.”
TONY MARTIN [electee – contemporary songwriter category]
Born in Georgia and raised in Nashville, Tony Martin has been around country songwriting his entire life. The son of country composer Glenn Martin, Tony grew up at the feet of other stellar songwriters such as Sonny Throckmorton, Mickey Newbury, and Hank Cochran. During his time as a journalist for a Chicago newspaper, Tony was writing parody songs for fun when his father urged him to take his talent more seriously. In 1988, Tony wrote “Baby’s Gotten Good At Goodbye,” which his father successfully pitched to George Strait. The song proved to be the dream scenario for a songwriter. It was Tony’s first demo, first cut, first single, first hit and first No. 1. Since that time, Tony has added more chart-topping hits to his resume. Among those are “A Little More Summertime” by Jason Aldean, “I’ll Think Of A Reason Later” by Lee Ann Womack, “Just To See You Smile” by Tim McGraw, “Living And Living Well” and “Go On” (both by George Strait), “No Place That Far” by Sara Evans, “Settle For A Slow Down” by Dierks Bentley, “Third Rock From The Sun” by Joe Diffie, and “You Look Good In My Shirt” by Keith Urban.
DON COOK [electee – veteran songwriter category]
Don Cook was born in San Antonio, Texas. He was writing songs by age 12, recording his first demo by age 14 and playing various Houston coffeehouses throughout his teenage years. Three days after his graduation from the University of Texas, Don arrived in Nashville. He soon met publisher Don Gant, who signed him to a deal at Acuff-Rose Publishing. When Gant moved to Tree Publishing, Don followed. In his first year at Tree he had 11 cuts, including “Cryin’ Again” by The Oak Ridge Boys and “Lady Lay Down” by John Conlee — Don’s first No. 1 as a songwriter. Other hits followed in the ’80s, including “Julia” by Conway Twitty, “I Wish That I Could Hurt That Way Again” by T. Graham Brown, “Small Town Girl” by Steve Wariner and “Somebody’s Gonna Love You” by Lee Greenwood. In the early ’90s, Don co-wrote “Brand New Man,” the first single for Brooks & Dunn, and began to produce the duo, a collaboration that yielded the co-written No. 1 hits “My Next Broken Heart,” “Only In America” and “You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone,” among others.
JIM LAUDERDALE [electee – contemporary songwriter/artist category]
Born in Troutman, North Carolina, Jim Lauderdale grew up in Due West, South Carolina. After college graduation in 1979, Jim made his way to Nashville for a few months before moving on to New York. By the late 1980s, Jim had joined the national touring production of Pump Boys & Dinettes and relocated to Los Angeles, where he began to find traction musically as a writer and performer. In the early 1990s Jim returned to Nashville, where he began to land early cuts by George Strait. By the mid ’90s Jim’s songs were finding homes on the country chart: “Gonna Get A Life” by Mark Chesnutt, “Halfway Down” by Patty Loveless and “You Don’t Seem To Miss Me” by Loveless & George Jones. Near the end of the decade Strait had top 5 hits with Jim’s “We Really Shouldn’t Be Doing This” and “What Do You Say To That” (originally recorded by Jim on BNA Records in 1998). Across Jim’s career as an Americana recording artist, he has released 37 albums – achieving two Grammy wins for Bluegrass Album of the Year and charting bluegrass hits such as “Mighty Lonesome,” “One Blue Mule” and “Iodine.” His collaborations with Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys have yielded the bluegrass top 10 “I Feel Like Singing Today” and “She’s Looking At Me,” the 2002 AMA Song of the Year. Jim was honored with the AMA’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.
EMMYLOU HARRIS [electee – veteran songwriter/artist category]
Birmingham, Alabama-born Emmylou Harris was raised in North Carolina and Virginia. By high school, she was obsessed with playing guitar. Graduating as valedictorian, she eventually left college for the folk music scene in New York’s Greenwich Village. Signing with Jubilee Records, she released her debut album in 1970 with five self-penned songs. Moving to Washington, D.C., she met Gram Parsons, joined his band, and discovered a passion for country music. Following Parson’s untimely death, Emmylou formed her own band and signed with Reprise Records. Her 1975 release featured her classic “Boulder To Birmingham.” Though Emmylou recorded her own songs sporadically until the 2000s, her “White Line” reached No. 14 country in 1985, and her “Heartbreak Hill” reached No. 8 country in 1989. Her co-written “In My Hour Of Darkness,” recorded by Gram Parsons in 1973, re-emerged in 2007 as a No. 15 bluegrass hit for John Starling & Carolina Star. Emmylou’s “Sweetheart Of The Pines” from 1986 became a No. 17 bluegrass hit for Dale Ann Bradley in 2016. Other songs from Emmylou include “A River For Him,” “Amarillo,” “Red Dirt Girl,” “The Pearl” and “Woman Walk The Line.” She is a 1995 inductee into the SPBGMA Hall of Greats, a 2008 inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and a 2018 recipient of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
BRAD PAISLEY [electee – contemporary songwriter/artist category 2024]
Brad Paisley was born and raised in Glen Dale, West Virginia. He received his first guitar from his grandfather, who taught him to play at eight years old. At age 13, Brad wrote his first song, which he performed publicly, and which eventually led him to an eight-year stint performing on Wheeling’s Jamboree USA. After high-school graduation and two years at West Liberty State College, Brad was awarded a fully paid ASCAP scholarship to Belmont University in Nashville where he majored in music business. A week after graduating from Belmont, Brad signed as a writer with EMI Music Publishing. Following cuts by David Kersh, David Ball and Tracy Byrd, Brad signed with Arista Nashville and soon began to record his own songs. As an artist, he has placed 33 self-penned top 20 songs on the Billboard charts, including 15 No. 1s and 14 more in the top 10. Among those compositions are “He Didn’t Have To Be,” “Alcohol,” “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song),” “Celebrity,” “Ticks,” “Letter To Me,” “Then,” “This Is Country Music,” “Water,” and his duet with Carrie Underwood “Remind Me.” A member of the Grand Ole Opry since 2001, Brad was ASCAP’s 2004 Country Songwriter/Artist of the Year. He was NSAI’s Songwriter/Artist of the Year in 2002 and 2005.