NaSHOF Featured in New Songwriting Wing at Belmont University

A new songwriting space for Belmont University students incorporates inspiration from the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

On August 12, the school’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate its expansion into 38 Music Square East, the building next door formerly occupied by Buddy Lee Attractions and Capitol Records. 

The renovation – which includes 17,000 square feet of songwriting rooms, listening spaces, live sound classrooms, and student lounges – features a variety of NaSHOF memorabilia and displays throughout all floors.  Among the items showcased in the new space are:

•   guitars signed by nearly three dozen NaSHOF members including Garth Brooks, a jukebox from “Brother Jukebox” composer Paul Craft, and a custom Manuel jacket tailored for John Anderson;

• Manny statuettes (awarded to each member when inducted) from Bobbie Gentry, Vern Gosdin, Shania Twain, and Tammy Wynette;

• shadowboxes honoring the hall’s class of 2024, as well as the writers highlighted in each of six themed songwriting rooms – Tom Douglas, Wayne Kirkpatrick, Hillary Lindsey, Gretchen Peters, Keith Urban, and Sharon Vaughn;

• 28 charcoal portraits (of the 160 created between 1970 and 2007) representing iconic tunesmiths such as Felice & Boudleaux Bryant, Harlan Howard, Kris Kristofferson, and Dolly Parton.

“We’re honored to have our members represented throughout the new space in such a meaningful way,” says Mark Ford, NaSHOF executive director.  “We know that our songwriting legends will influence and inspire these students to one day join them in the hall of fame.”

Ford says plans call for more NaSHOF songwriters to be represented as displays are rotated and new spaces are made available.

The ribbon cutting marked the completion of the university’s phase one expansion.  Phase two, which will construct an 80,000 square foot facility in the building’s back parking lot, launches next year and is scheduled for completion in 2028.

NaSHOF’s Mark & Carol Ann Ford, music executive/philanthropist Mike Curb, and Belmont University Dean Brittany Schaffer celebrate the grand opening of the school’s new songwriting wing August 12 on Music Row.