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MUSIC PEOPLE
NEWS
NOVEMBER 2025 Volume 56 Number 11 Issue 669
Editor Kelly Gregory
Contributors David Allan, Janet Aspley, Donnie Ayers, Craig Baguley, Jonny Brick, Chris Brown, Tony Byworth, Rosie Carter, Don Cusic, Larry Delaney, Julie Flaskett, Marshall Gardener, Michael Hingston, Stan Hitchcock, Tony Ives, Sianna King, Spencer Leigh, John Lomax III, Bryce Martin, Adrian Peel, Paul Riley, Chris Smith, Tom Travis, Walt Trott, Dan Wallace, Dave Watkins, Jack Watkins
New release consultant Steve Tidbury
Photographers Patricia Presley, Barry Dixon
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Sierra Ferrell
LtR: 2025 Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame Inductees Don Cook, Steve Bogard, Brad Paisley, Emmylou Harris, Jim Lauderdale and Tony Martin. © Bev Moser
SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME
O n 6th October The Nashville
Songwriters Hall of Fame( NaSHOF) welcomed seven new members into its ranks as the Class of 2025 was officially honoured at the organisation’ 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 Centre.
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 honour NaSHOFworthy candidates who are deceased. Following welcoming remarks by NaSHOF Executive Director Mark Ford and Board Chair Rich Hallworth, the evening’ s festivities began by honouring 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 cowritten Jason Aldean chart-topper A Little
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