Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Inducts Steve Bogard, JJ Cale, Don Cook, Emmylou Harris, Jim Lauderdale, Tony Martin, and Brad Paisley at 55th Anniversary Event

NASHVILLE, TN October 7, 2025 – The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF) welcomed seven new members into its ranks last night as the Class of 2025 was officially honored at the organization’s 55th Anniversary Gala.  The musical contributions of the newest inductees were celebrated through star-studded performances of some of their biggest songs for the capacity crowd at Nashville’s Music City Center. 

The Class of 2025 is: Steve Bogard and Tony Martin in the songwriter category; Jim Lauderdale and Brad Paisley in the songwriter/artist category; Don Cook in the veteran songwriter category; and Emmylou Harris in the veteran songwriter/artist category.  Additionally, the late JJ Cale was inducted into the hall’s Legacy category designed specifically to honor NaSHOF-worthy candidates who are deceased.

“Tonight, we are gratified to welcome seven more extraordinary songwriters into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame,” said Rich Hallworth, Board Chair of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation.  “Along with their families, friends and members of the music industry, we celebrate them as they join this Hall of elite songwriters.” 

The event traditionally features some of music’s most talented artists performing songs from the inductees’ impressive catalogs, and this year’s line-up was no exception. 

Following welcoming remarks by NaSHOF Executive Director Mark Ford and Board Chair Rich Hallworth, the evening’s festivities began by honoring the late JJ Cale, who was presented by Hall of Fame member Gary Nicholson.  Americana artist John Fullbright performed Cale’s Bluesy-Rock classic “After Midnight.”  Christine Lakeland - Cale accepted on her late husband’s behalf. 

Tony Martin was next, presented to the audience by Hall of Fame member Tom Shapiro, followed by longtime friend Wendell Mobley, who performed their co-written Jason Aldean chart-topper “A Little More Summertime.”

 Hall of Fame member Gretchen Peters presented Jim Lauderdale.  Country/Americana artist Lee Ann Womack performed Lauderdale’s signature “The King Of Broken Hearts” in his honor.

 Hall of Fame members and fellow Grand Ole Opry members Bill Anderson and Steve Wariner teamed to honor Brad Paisley with Anderson presenting and Wariner performing “We Danced.”

 Hall of Fame member Kix Brooks presented co-writer/producer Don Cook, then joined Hall of Fame member/duo partner Ronnie Dunn to perform “Brand New Man,” the Brooks & Dunn debut single from 1991 composed by all three writers. 

Capitol Records artist Dierks Bentley took the stage to salute Steve Bogard with a rendition of their co-written Grammy-nominated hit “Every Mile A Memory.”  Hall of Fame member Rory Bourke presented Bogard. 

Closing the night’s festivities, Hall of Fame member Vince Gill honored Emmylou Harris with a performance of her Country-Folk classic “Boulder To Birmingham.”  Hall of Fame member Rodney Crowell presented Harris. 

The evening also included a touching memorial tribute to three Hall of Fame members who had died since last year’s event: Troy Seals, Sonny Curtis, and Brett James.  Country Music Hall of Famer Kenny Chesney performed the Brett James written “When the Sun Goes Down” in honor of the songwriting legends. 

The gala, which kicked off with a welcoming performance from the band The Garrett Boys,  featured its long-time “voice” – legendary announcer Bill Cody, Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Famer and host of 650 AM WSM’s “Coffee, Country & Cody.”

 About the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame:

Induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame is one of the nation’s most highly prized songwriting honors.  Since 1970, the Hall has enshrined 247 of the greatest writers from all genres of music ever to put words to music in Music City, including such luminaries as Bill Anderson, Bobby Braddock, Garth Brooks, Felice & Boudleaux Bryant, Johnny Cash, Don & Phil Everly, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Tom T. Hall, Harlan Howard, Alan Jackson, Kris Kristofferson, Loretta Lynn, Bob McDill, Bill Monroe, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, Paul Overstreet, Dolly Parton, Dottie Rambo, Jimmie Rodgers, Fred Rose, Don Schlitz, Ray Stevens, Keith Urban, Cindy Walker and Hank Williams.  Operated by the non-profit Nashville Songwriters Foundation, the Hall of Fame is dedicated to honoring Nashville’s rich legacy of songwriting excellence through preservation, celebration, and education.  More information is available at http://www.nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com/. 

Photo # 1  Pictured (l-r) are: 2025 Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame Inductees Don Cook, Steve Bogard, Brad Paisley, Emmylou Harris, Jim Lauderdale and Tony Martin.Photo # 2 Pictured (l-r) are: Board Chair of NaSHOF Rich Hallworth, inductees Don Cook, Steve Bogard, Brad Paisley, Christine Lakeland-Cale (inductee JJ Cale), Emmylou Harris, Jim Lauderdale, Tony Martin and NaSHOF Executive Director Mark Ford.  

Photo Credit: Bev Moser