The Songwriters Hall of Fame’s annual awards ceremony, held on Thursday night, is a unique event in the music industry. Despite its long-standing traditions since its inception in 1969, the ceremony continues to evolve, offering a blend of awards show, family reunion, and trade event. This exclusive gathering, always hosted at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York’s Times Square, features Grammy-level performances and tributes that are truly once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Each year, the ceremony honors a diverse lineup of artists, from global icons like Neil Diamond and Drake to lesser-known songwriters whose work is widely recognized. This year was no exception, with honorees including R.E.M., Steely Dan, SZA, producer Timbaland, and songwriters Hillary Lindsey, Diane Warren, and the late Cindy Walker.
The night was filled with memorable performances. Lady Gaga sang “What’s Up” by Four Non-Blondes to Linda Perry, while Stevie Nicks performed “The Rose” for Bette Midler. Emmylou Harris delivered a touching rendition of “Tears in Heaven” for Will Jennings, and Joe Walsh performed ELO’s “Don’t Bring Me Down,” humorously noting his long-time wish to be part of ELO. In 2011, the evening concluded with Billy Joel and Garth Brooks duetting at the piano in matching Stetson hats.
This year’s ceremony was notable for its efficiency, wrapping up before 11 p.m. for the first time in recent memory. However, the absence of longtime SHOF CEO Linda Moran, who is battling leukemia, was felt deeply. Universal Music Publishing’s Evan Lamberg reassured the audience that Moran is receiving the best possible care, leading the crowd in a video greeting to her.
The evening’s music began with a tribute to songwriter Dean Pitchford. High school winners of the Hall’s 2024 Abe Olman Scholarship sang his hit “Fame,” followed by Deniece Williams performing “Let’s Hear It for the Boy.” Kevin Bacon, with his brother Michael on guitar, sang “Footloose,” complete with some impressive footwork from Kevin.
Phish’s Trey Anastasio honored Steely Dan with a medley of “Kid Charlamagne” and “Reeling in the Years,” showcasing his guitar skills and channeling Donald Fagen’s voice. Irving Azoff, Steely Dan’s longtime manager, shared amusing anecdotes about the band’s reluctance to tour during their peak years.
Nile Rodgers, SHOF president, honored SZA with the Hal David Starlight Award. Despite some teleprompter issues, Rodgers praised SZA for her genre-defying music. SZA, in her acceptance speech, expressed how much the award meant to her, validating her entire career. She then performed an acoustic version of her hit “Snooze.”
Carrie Underwood honored songwriter Hillary Lindsey with a powerful performance of “Jesus Take the Wheel.” Lindsey, accompanied by Keith Urban, performed a medley of her hits, including “Blue Ain’t Your Color.”
Missy Elliott inducted her longtime collaborator Timbaland, recalling their early days and his unique musical talents. Timbaland’s acceptance speech was the longest of the night, followed by a medley of his hits, including “Big Pimpin’” and “SexyBack.”
Jason Isbell honored R.E.M. with a performance of “It’s the End of the World as We Know It.” The band, reunited on stage, performed “Losing My Religion,” marking their first public performance together since 2007.
The evening concluded with Diane Warren’s Oscar-nominated hit “Stand Up for Something,” followed by Paul Williams inducting her with the Johnny Mercer Award. Warren, known for hits like “Unbreak My Heart” and “I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing,” gave an emotional speech, thanking her mother and father, Clive Davis, and the artists who brought her songs to life.
El Debarge closed the show with a performance of Warren’s hit “Rhythm of the Night,” as the audience, pleasantly surprised by the early hour, slowly filtered out.
The 2024 Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards gala was a night to remember, celebrating the contributions of R.E.M., Timbaland, Steely Dan, Hillary Lindsey, Dean Pitchford, and SZA. The event highlighted the enduring impact of these artists and their music, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.
