Songwriters Hall Of Fame Nominees Announced - Who Got The Nod?
Billboard hits and Platinum records are usually what the top songwriters in music are aiming for when they craft a track, but in the long run, their success can earn them an achievement that is unlike any other: a spot in the Songwriters Hall Of Fame. It’s that time of year again to see who has been given a nomination for induction this upcoming June. Spoiler alert: none of them are a surprise.
There are 24 nominations with 12 each in the categories of Non-Performing and Performing, and they're headlined by some pretty big names. Some of the nominees under the Non-Performing section include the likes of Linda Perry, Randy Edelman, and the duo Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia, while the Performing side has Elvis Costello, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Toby Keith, and Cat Stevens. Given the influence that all of these artists have had on music over the years, it's a bit of a surprise that they're not already in the Hall Of Fame. Even though they deserve it, they can't all make it this year, either. However, which writers are the ones that might have the best shot?
Despite the early success she had in the early 90's as the vocalist/guitarist of rock band 4 Non Blondes, Perry found her true calling when it came to writing for other artists. One of her first credits became a major smash: Pink's 2001 single, 'Get the Party Started.' The song went on to be featured as one of Rolling Stones' Top Songs of the 2000s, and Perry has since written songs like Christina Aguilera's 'Beautiful' and Celine Dion's 'My Love.'
Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds
Kenneth Edmonds hit the mainstream when he penned his first success, 'Slow Jam,' by Midnight Star in 1983. He quickly became one of the biggest names in R&B writing and producing for Madonna, Beyonce, Mariah Carey, and Michael Jackson. The list can seriously go on and on. Edmonds just notched his 10th Grammy with his production on Alicia Keys' Girl on Fire. Additionally, he's had a pretty successful career as a solo artist, too, with three Platinum records and three top 10 albums.
Next page: Some more artists that may get included
Not much has to be said of this country legend to prove why he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. Keith has sold over 30 million records in the U.S. throughout his career, and that makes him the fifth best selling country artist of all-time. Nine number one country albums, twenty two number one U.S. singles - it's borderline ridiculous. Keith's got a new album coming up soon, and it only makes sense that his number ones will only grow larger with its release.
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers basically took over most of the 70's and 80's. With songs like the classic 'Free Fallin,' it's completely obvious why. Petty himself has gone on to earn incredible accolades: over six Platinum albums between his solo career and his work with The Heartbreakers, and a greatest hits compilation of his in 1993 even reached Diamond certification. At the age of 64, Petty earned his first ever number one record this past July with The Heartbreakers' album, Hypnotic Eye. Clearly, he's still got it.
Elvis Costello has got to be one of the most prolific men in music. Ever since the 70's, Costello's been making an impact in both the U.K. and the U.S., and at one point, he managed to secure a top ten debut in the U.K. for ten albums in a row. One of his biggest hits, 'Veronica,' was a collaboration with Beatles legend Paul McCartney, and he also recently released a collaborative effort with hip-hop group The Roots, asserting himself as a definitive songwriter of our time.