Taylor Swifthas become the youngest-ever inductee into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
The organization announced on CBS Mornings that Taylor Swift, Alanis Morisette, Kenny Loggins, Christopher ‘Tricky’ Stewart, Paul Stanely, Gene Simmons, Terry Britten, Graham Lyle, and Walter Afanasieff have all been included in the Songwriters Hall of Fame 2026 class.
The full list of nominees was originally announced in October, with names such as David Byrne, Pink, and Sarach McLachlan also making appearances.
What Is The Songwriters Hall of Fame?
Founded in 1969 by songwriter Johnny Mercer, the Songwriters Hall of Fame is an American institution that aims to recognize the greatest acheivements in songwriting with annual additions to membership. Since 2018, Nile Rodgers has been chairman.
One of the Hall’s key rules stiupulates that an artist cannot be elgible for membership until 20 years after their first commercial release of a song. Swift’s first single release was “Tim McGraw” in 2006, meaning she has been ineligble until this year.
Additional special award nominees are expected to be announced in the coming months. The ceremony will take place on June 11 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City, though it will be neither open to the public nor televised.
Speaking to the recent announcement, chairman Nile Rogers said: “The music industry is built upon the incredible talent of songwriters who create unforgettable songs. Without their artistry, there would be no recorded music, concert experiences, or engaged fans. Everything originates from the song and its creator.”
“This year’s lineup not only showcases iconic songs but also celebrates unity across various genres. These songwriters have profoundly impacted the lives of billions of listeners worldwide, and it is our privilege to honor their contributions.”
The organization also nominates artists in two more categories: “Performer-Songwriter” and “Non-Performing Songwriter”. This year’s nominees in the first category include Richard Carpenter, Harry Wayne Casey, and Boz Scaggs. Nominees in the latter category include Kenny Nolan, Andreas Carlsson, and long-time Madonna collaborator, Patrick Leonard.
