NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES 2025 CLASS

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF) officially unveiled its Class of 2025 inductees, a group of six acclaimed songwriters whose work has left an indelible mark on country and Americana music. The announcement was made during a press conference on August 6 at the historic Columbia Studio A, with the new members set to be formally inducted at the 55th Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on October 6 at the Music City Center.

The 2025 class includes two-time Grammy winner Emmylou Harris, who joins the veteran songwriter/artist category, and three-time Grammy winner Brad Paisley, who was elected in 2024 but deferred his induction to this year. They are joined by Jim Lauderdale in the contemporary songwriter/artist category. As a cornerstone of Americana music, Lauderdale has penned songs for artists like George Strait and Patty Loveless in addition to his own extensive catalog.

The new class is rounded out by three writers elected for their prolific careers. Don Cook, a veteran songwriter known for hits like Brooks & Dunn’s “Only in America,” will be honored. In the contemporary songwriter category, the inductees are Steve Bogard, whose credits include Rascal Flatts’ “Prayin’ For Daylight” and George Strait’s “Carried Away,” and Tony Martin, the writer behind hits like Jason Aldean’s “A Little More Summertime” and Keith Urban’s “You Look Good In My Shirt.”

Rich Hallworth, Chair of the organization’s board of directors, expressed the Hall’s excitement, stating, “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. To these outstanding songwriters, we say — thank you for sharing your songs and your artistry with us.”

The induction ceremony will officially welcome these six legends, bringing the total number of members in the prestigious organization to over 250.