NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Country Music Hall of Famer and legendary Grand Ole Opry member Whisperin’ Bill Anderson is a 2018 Nominee for the Songwriter Hall of Fame. The Songwriters Hall of Fame announced nominees to be elected for induction at its Annual Induction & Awards Gala on June 14, 2018, in New York City.
“I came to Nashville to be a songwriter, and to be considered for membership in the Songwriters Hall of Fame is about as fulfilling as it gets. My thanks to everyone who has been a part of my incredible journey,” Anderson said.
To be considered for induction, nominees must have been published songwriters for a minimum of 20 years with a notable catalog of hit songs. Eligible voting members will have until December 17 to turn in ballots.
Anderson is the only songwriter in history to have written charted songs in each of seven consecutive decades. The legendary Grand Ole Opry headliner is among the few country songwriters to cross over to the pop charts in the 1960s with such hits as “Still,” “8 X 10,” “The Tip of My Fingers” and “Mama Sang a Song.” His first No. 1 (of 14) was “City Lights” for Ray Price in 1958, written when Anderson was just 19, and he soon had hits with the likes of Connie Smith, Hank Locklin, Porter Wagoner, Jim Reeves, Faron Young, Roger Miller and Kitty Wells. Topping the country charts in the 1960’s and 1970’s with classic songs like “I Get the Fever,” “My Life” and “Sometimes,” the hits he had from the 1990’s on with artists including Steve Wariner, Kenny Chesney, Vince Gill, George Strait and Brad Paisley (whose Anderson’s co-penned “Whiskey Lullaby” won the 2005 Country Music Association Song of the Year award) led to his becoming the first country songwriter to receive the BMI Icon Award, in 2002.
The prolific songwriter released his official autobiography in 2016. “Whisperin’ Bill Anderson: An Unprecedented Life in Country Music” has received praise from fans and critics alike and is now available for download as an audiobook. Forbes deemed the book “One of the Best Autobiographies” of the past year. Anderson continues to tour and perform regularly at The Grand Ole Opry, which he has been a member of for an impressive 56 years. Most recently Anderson is featured on Brad Paisley’s new project with their song “Dying to See Her Again.” The emotional song was written by both Paisley and Anderson and is on Paisley’s album Love and War released earlier this year.
For more information on Bill Anderson visit BillAnderson.com or follow him on Facebook and Twitter.
BILL ANDERSON ON TOUR:
Dec 31 Bill Anderson and Friends– Branson, Mo.
Jan 20 The Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center– Huntington, Tn.
Jan 28 Country’s Family Reunion & Larry’s Country Diner CRUISE– Galveston, Tx.
Feb 16 Effingham Performance Center– Effingham, Il.
Feb 17 Honeywell Center– Wabash, In.