Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame announces 2020 inductees
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame has tapped five acclaimed lyricists for its 2020 class, including Steve Earle, Bobbie Gentry, Kent Blazy, Brett James and Spooner Oldham.
Due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, however, the 2020 inductees will not officially join the Music City pantheon until the “50-51” edition of the Hall of Fame’s gala on Nov. 1, 2021, Billboard reported.
“This year marks our 50th year to welcome a new class into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. And although our year has looked different, we couldn’t be more excited to continue our commitment and core mission by announcing the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Class of 2020,” Hall of Fame board chair Sarah Cates said in a prepared statement.
“It’s our great honor today to welcome our class of 2020: Kent Blazy and Brett James in the songwriter category; Spooner Oldham in the veteran songwriter category, Steve Earle as our songwriter/artist and Bobbie Gentry as our veteran songwriter/artist,” Cates added.
According to The Tennessean, several inductees were informed of their honor via a video call with Hall of Fame officials and a few special guests.
“This is long overdue, Hoss,” Garth Brooks told Blazy, whose hits penned for Brooks include “Ain’t Goin’ Down (‘Til the Sun Comes Up).”
