Open Letter to the Songwriter Hall of Fame, New York

May 13, 2010

To The Board of Directors and Awards Committee of the Songwriters Hall of Fame - New York, NY

I was startled by the news that, in your profound wisdom, astute observation and elitist tastes, you deemed it most appropriate to honor Taylor Swift with the little-recognized or ever-heard-of ‘Hal David Starlight Award’ during your upcoming ceremonies. I can only hope that this was your desperate attempt at bringing attention to your organization by shining a light on an artist that has been making significant waves in the marketplace. I also hope that you are not serious.

I reviewed your prior inductees this afternoon and have noticed that you have not turned your back entirely on Nashville’s community of songwriters. I see that Harlan Howard, Willie Nelson and Loretta Lynn have been inducted into your esteemed group – and deservedly so. The precedent, then, has been established. However, I think you do a grand disservice to the hundreds of brilliant composers and lyricists that have preceded Ms. Swift in her chosen genre by singling her out at this moment. Simply put, that you will applaud the work of a singer and songwriter in her early stages is not so egregious; that you have done this while continuing to turn your backs on the scores of remarkably gifted songwriters that have preceded her is appalling. Check ‘em out – they have written circles around many, if not most of your prior and current inductees:

Bill Anderson

Jerry Chestnut

Hank Cochran

Sonny Curtis

Dallas Frazier

Lefty Frizzell

Merle Haggard

Dennis Linde

Dave Loggins

John D. Loudermilk

Bob McDill

Roger Miller

Mickey Newbury

Buck Owens

Ben Peters

Hugh Prestwood

Allen Reynolds

Bill Rice

Don Schlitz

Troy Seals

Sanger ‘Whitey’ Shafer

Billy Sherrill

Joe South

Glenn Sutton

Hank Thompson

Mel Tillis

Cindy Walker

Jim Weatherly

Sincerely,

Thom Schuyler

Nashville, TN