Twain, Wariner join Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame

Hillary Lindsey and Gary Nicholson joined in the songwriter category; David Malloy in the veteran songwriter category; Shania Twain in the songwriter/artist category and Steve Wariner in the veteran songwriter/artist category. The late Chips Moman was inducted into the Hall's new Legacy category designed specifically to honor NaSHOF-worthy candidates who are deceased.

"Tonight, we are celebrating the legacies of six extraordinary songwriters and bestowing upon them one of the nation's highest songwriting honors — induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame," said Sarah Cates, Board Chair of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation. "I always look forward to this evening when the industry can gather to share in this moment with our inductees, their families and friends. And I'm not alone in anticipating this event. This year, we have one of our largest audiences ever, all here to applaud these exemplary songwriters."

The Isaacs kicked off the evening by honoring Twain with a medley of her song-of-the-year hits "Forever And For Always" and "You're Still The One." Though Twain was unable to attend, she sent a video thanking NaSHOF for the honor, noting that songwriting had gotten her through many hard times and had been her saving grace. NaSHOF 2019 inductee Sharon Vaughn presented Twain and also spoke on her behalf.

NaSHOF 2021 inductee Rhett Akins then took the stage to honor Malloy. Akins reprised his own 1998 recording of "Drivin' My Life Away," originally popularized by Eddie Rabbitt. NaSHOF 2015 inductee and longtime co-writer Even Stevens presented Malloy.

NaSHOF 2005 inductee Vince Gill was joined on stage by Delbert McClinton, Shawn Camp and Michael Rhodes to perform "One More Last Chance" in honor of Nicholson. NaSHOF 2003 inductee Rodney Crowell presented Nicholson.

Moman was presented by NaSHOF goard member and industry journalist Robert K. Oermann. Clint Black performed Moman's standard, "Luckenbach, Texas."

Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban joined forces to perform a medley of Lindsey's song of the year hits "Jesus, Take The Wheel" and "Blue Ain't Your Color." NaSHOF 2008 inductee Matraca Berg presented Lindsey.

Closing the night's festivities, NaSHOF 2011 inductee Garth Brooks offered his rendition of "Holes In The Floor Of Heaven" to honor Wariner. NaSHOF 1975 inductee Bill Anderson presented Wariner.

The evening also featured a medley of "Coal Miner's Daughter and "If My Heart Had Windows" performed by award-winning songwriters Jessi Alexander and Jon Randall in a special memorial tribute to recently deceased NaSHOF inductees Loretta Lynn (inducted in 1983) and Dallas Frazier (inducted in 1976).