Bobby Karl Works The Room—Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductions

Chapter 261

The 38th annual Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony was unquestionably the biggest, most entertaining and longest ever.

Clocking in at four hours, the Renaissance Ballroom event (10/14) honored a dazzling class of inductees—Flatt & Scruggs, Dottie Rambo, Hank Williams Jr., Bob DiPiero and Mac McAnally. Appropriately, the music was terrific.

Our salad course of radicchio, baby bibb lettuce, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, palm hearts and mozzarella drizzled with balsamic vingaigrette was during the NSAI’s presentation of its “11 Songs I Wish I’d Written.” Bart Herbison and Steve Bogard presided.

“The one thing that remains constant is the power of a great song to move our hearts and minds,” said Steve. Josh Kear & Chris Tompkins (“Before He Cheats”), Casey Beathard & Ed Hill (“Find Out Who Your Friends Are”), Bill Anderson, Buddy Cannon & Jamey Johnson (“Give It Away”), Luke Bryan & Rachel Thibodeaux (“Good Directions), Walt Aldridge & Elliott Park (“I Loved Her First”), Dave Berg, Sam Tate & Annie Tate (“Moments”), Bobby Pinson (“One Wing in the Fire” cowriter and performer Trent Tomlinson was absent), Deanna Bryant, Sarah Buxton & Dave Berg (“Stupid Boy”) and Shawn Camp & John Scott Sherrill (“Will You Go With Me”) all paraded to the stage to accept. An absent Merle Haggard was also honored (“Seashores of Old Mexico”).

“Bless the Broken Road” made NSAI history by winning the top song award for the second year in a row. Jeff Hanna, Marcus Hummon & Bobby Byrd accepted happily. Dave Berg was a popular choice as Songwriter of the Year. Absent Alan Jackson and delighted newcomer Taylor Swift were both honored as Songwriter-Artist of the Year. [Editor’s note: Swift is the youngest artist to date to receive the honor.]

Everyone nodded approvingly at how efficiently and swiftly this portion of the evening’s program went. Cheering the winners on were stellar tunesmiths Matraca Berg, Kyle Jacobs, Michael Peterson, Josh Leo, Trey Bruce & Robin Lee, Paul Kennerley, Geroge Teren, Don Henry, Layng Martine Jr., Keith Urban, Gary Nicholson, Jim McBride and Max T. Barnes.

Hall of Fame board chairman Roger Murrah reminded the audience that the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame is at last going to have a physical home. Mike Curb has donated space in the old Sony building at 34 Music Square East. This address will also be Leadership Music’s h.q. as well as the teaching facility for Belmont’s new songwriting degree program. Thom Schuyler, who is one of the inaugural Belmont songwriting instructors, got a round of applause when Roger announced that one of Mayor Purcell’s last acts in office was to proclaim “16th Avenue” the official song of Music Row.

Dinner was a steak the size of my shoe covered in a BBQ bourbon demi-glaze, plus veggies and roasted sweet potato slices. The Spanish coffee mousse dessert was to die for.

Marty Stuart presided over the Flatt & Scruggs induction. The Del McCoury Band’s medley of the team’s bluegrass classics drew a wildly enthusiastic standing ovation.

“It’s a pleasure to be with you folks,” said the always taciturn Earl Scruggs. “Thank you very much.” He was accompanied on stage by Lester’s widow Gladys Flatt and by sons Gary Scruggs and Randy Scruggs.

“I am deeply honored to be here this evening,” said Barbara Mandrell. “I wouldn’t have had a career in show business had it not been for you [songwriters].” She lauded honoree Dottie Rambo for being a pioneering woman in a man’s world of Southern gospel. Barbara also noted that of the 160+ members of the Hall, Dottie is only the 10th woman. And since two of the female members—the late Maggie Cavender and Sue Brewer—are honorary as supporters of writers, Dottie is only the 8th actual female songwriting inductee.

Granddaughter Destiny Rambo McGuire performed an inspirational medley that concluded with the hand clapper “I Go to the Rock.” Dottie hobbled on stage favoring her still healing broken leg.

“I want to thank the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame for even thinking of this little girl from Kentucky,” said Dottie. “That bluegrass! I tell you, if my leg was well, I’d-a kicked off my shoes and danced a bit. That’s better than snuff and not half as nasty! God bless you. I love you.”

Holly Williams recited her famous father’s amazing career statistics—13 #1 albums, 20 BMI awards, 15 million records sold, 19 #1 singles, four Emmys, a Grammy and more. “The thing that blows my mind is his songwriting,” said Holly. “I am a true, true fan.” Sister Hilary Williams—still on crutches from their near-fatal car crash—joined Holly for “The Blues Man” to conclude the Hank Jr. medley. Then Gretchen Wilson lit up the house with “All My Rowdy Friends Have Settled Down.”

“What a trip down memory lane,” said Bocephus, recalling getting banjo lessons as a teenager from Earl. “I’m from the old school,” he added. “This one is special,” he said of his Hall of Fame honor. “I need this...and I need y’all.”

There were quite a few fellow Songwriters Hall of Famers in attendance. In addition to Bill Anderson, I believe I spotted Jerry Chesnutt, Dean Dillon, Phil Everly, Kenny O’Dell, Dallas Frazier, Jerry Foster, Wayland Holyfield, Gary Burr, Hugh Prestwood, Don Schlitz, Dennis Morgan, Randy Goodrum, Bobby Braddock, Rory Bourke, Ted Harris, Dickey Lee, Richard Leigh, Bill Rice and Jim Weatherly.

When Amy Kurland’s name was announced, everyone spontaneously began saying, “Shhhhh!” loudly, in homage to her Bluebird Cafe talking policy. “You better believe it,” she wisecracked. She was there to induct Bob DiPiero and talked of his talent as well as his lovable spirit.

At this point, the program ground to a crawl. “Hit Men” Craig Wiseman, Jeffrey Steele and Tony Mullins did a 30-minute medley of at least 15 songs. Neal McCoy picked things back up with a lively “Wink” that featured him wading into the audience to find Bob to sing along.

“Coming from Youngstown, Ohio, I thought I might be indicted, but never inducted,” said Bob. “This is way over the top for me....I don’t think it’s a pinnacle, but it’s a good stop along the way. I’m having the time of my life....Thank you for this great honor.”

“It’s always nice to drop into Planet Nashville,” said Jimmy Buffett, who was there to induct his producer and Coral Reefer bandmember Mac McAnally. Then Steve Wariner reminded everyone what a super talent he is, as well as what a tribute medley should sound like. Mark Miller, Hobie Hubbard and Duncan Cameron offered a poetic take on “All These Years.”

“I demand a recount,” said Mac in accepting. “I historically hold myself in low regard, but this evening, I trust that y’all know what you’re talking about.” Mac recalled that Hank Jr. was the first to record one of his songs, reminisced about working with Earl in the studio and noted that his family had exposed him to Dottie’s music all his life.

“Don’t forget what it feels like to get knocked flat on your back by a song,” he said. “It’s the greatest feeling in the world. A song can make people who can’t dance, try to dance. A song can make people who can’t sing into millionaires!”

Soaking it all in were such industry titans as John Styll, John Grady, Pat Higdon, Gary Overton, Troy Tomlinson, Dan Hill, Tracy Gershon & Steve Fishell, David & Karen Conrad, David & Susana Ross, Harold Bradley, Jo Walker-Meador, Susan Stewart, Kyle Lehning, Dale Bobo, Steve Brallier, Jeff Walker, Don Light, Hank Adam Locklin, Drew Alexander, Ken Levitan & Gloria Dumas, Neil Portnow, Dane Bryant, Del Bryant, Debbie Carroll and a cast of at least 1,200.