ASCAP Greats Desmond Child, Gordon Kennedy, Brad Paisley & Phil Vassar Nominated for 2024 Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame

From “Change the World” to “Where Your Road Leads,” the nominees for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Class of 2024 have written some of Music City’s biggest hits. ASCAP songwriters Desmond Child, Gordon Kennedy, Brad Paisley and Phil Vassar have been nominated to join this year’s class in recognition of their remarkable contributions to the Nashville songwriting community.

 

In the Contemporary Songwriters category:

 

Desmond Child is renowned for his rock and pop hits including KISS’s “I Was Made for Loving You,” Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” and Aerosmith’s “Dude Looks Like a Lady.” He moved to Nashville in the early ‘90s, and he’s been a pillar of the Nashville songwriting community ever since, writing hits including “Where Your Road Leads” by Trisha Yearwood & Garth Brooks.

 

Gordon Kennedy is celebrated for co-writing the Grammy-winning hit “Change the World” (recorded by both Eric Clapton and Wynonna Judd), and his contributions to both Christian and country music. His impressive catalog includes Garth Brooks’s “You Move Me,” Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Help You Now” and Ricky Skaggs’s “Return to Sender.”

 

In the Contemporary Songwriter/Artists category:

 

Brad Paisley has achieved incredible success with 15 #1 hits as a songwriter and artist, including iconic songs “He Didn’t Have to Be,” “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song)” and “Letter to Me.”

 

Phil Vassar is known for his chart-topping hits both as a songwriter for artists such as Alan Jackson, Jo Dee Messina and Tim McGraw, and as a performer with hits like “Just Another Day in Paradise.”

 

All nominees must have experienced their first significant song at least 20 years ago. In the coming months, two songwriters and one songwriter/artist will be elected in these categories by their professional songwriter peers and members of the Hall of Fame.

 

In addition, three more will be named to the Class of 2024. A separate body of veteran voters will elect a Veteran Songwriter, a Veteran Songwriter/Artist and a Legacy Songwriter (deceased), all of whom experienced their first significant songs at least 30 years ago. Nominees in those categories are not announced in advance.

 

The new group of inductees-elect will be among those honored at the 54th Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on Wednesday, November 6, at the Music City Center.

 

+Click here to read bios and see the full list of 2024 nominees.