Songwriters Hall of Fame Postpones Next Induction Until 2021 Due to Coronavirus

The 51st Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony has been pushed back an entire year due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus. Originally set to take place on June 11, the next awards gala will instead be held on June 10, 2021 at the Marriott Marquis New York, organizers announced Tuesday.

“In facing the reality of the future being unknown and the extraordinary number of schedules which would have to be rearranged, although sad and very disappointing, it seemed to be more prudent and in the best interests and well-being of everyone, especially our inductees, honorees, and guests to move the 2020 class of inductees and honorees in its entirety to next year’s gala when they can be truly celebrated,” said Linda Moran, the SHOF president and CEO.

Inductees at the rescheduled SHOF event will be Mariah Carey, Steve Miller, Rick Nowels, William “Mickey” Stevenson and the individual members of three ensembles — Annie Lennox/Dave Stewart (Eurythmics); Chad Hugo/Pharrell Williams (The Neptunes); and Ernie Isley/Marvin Isley/O’Kelly Isley/Ronald Isley/Rudolph Isley/Chris Jasper (The Isley Brothers).

Songwriter and ASCAP president Paul Williams will be receiving the Johnny Mercer Award, given to a Hall member “whose body of work is of such high quality and impact, that it upholds the gold standard set by the legendary Johnny Mercer.” On the industry side, Universal Music Publishing Group chairman and CEO Jody Gerson will receive the Abe Olman Publisher Award.

There will be no additional honorees next year. “As we are moving the entire 2020 class, there will not be an election this year to add any additional inductees,” Moran clarified to Billboard.

Added SHOF chairman Nile Rodgers, “We talk all the time about great songs making the world a better place but that’s never been more true than at challenged times like these which are unprecedented. The wonderful songs that members of the Songwriters Hall of Fame have created are currently bringing comfort to billions of people all over the world in their time of uncertainty and need and that is something I believe we can all find gratitude in. We are family, please be safe.”

The SHOF ceremony push follows a similar decision by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which recently moved its induction ceremony from May to November.