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Pop sensation Taylor Swift stands on the brink of a historic achievement, poised to become the first artist to transition from the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s Starlight Award to full membership. This prestigious honor could be hers as she earns her inaugural nomination in her first year of eligibility.
Swift’s journey to this potential accolade began with the release of her debut single, “Tim McGraw,” in June 2006. Now, two decades later, she meets the criteria for nomination consideration, aligning with the timeline for the 2026 induction ceremony.
Back in 2010, Swift was honored with the Hal David Starlight Award, which recognizes promising young songwriters. Established in 2004, this award has never before seen one of its recipients advance to full membership, a milestone Swift could soon achieve.
This year’s nominees for the Songwriters Hall of Fame reflect a diverse array of talent spanning genres like pop, hip-hop, folk, and rock. Joining Swift on the ballot are notable figures such as Kenny Loggins, LL Cool J, Pink, and Sarah McLachlan. The list also includes David Byrne of Talking Heads, members of The Go-Go’s, as well as Randy Bachman, Burton Cummings of The Guess Who, and Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of Kiss.
The 2026 nominees represent a mix of pop, hip-hop, folk and rock innovators. Also on the ballot are Kenny Loggins, LL Cool J, Pink, Sarah McLachlan and Talking Heads’ David Byrne, alongside Charlotte Caffey, Kathy Valentine and Jane M. Wiedlin of The Go-Go’s, Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings of The Guess Who, and Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of Kiss.
Richard Carpenter of The Carpenters, Harry Wayne Casey of KC and the Sunshine Band, and Boz Scaggs round out the performer-songwriter category.
In the non-performing songwriter category, nominees include disco songwriter Pete Bellotte, Swedish pop producer Andreas Carlsson, Steve Kipner, longtime Madonna collaborator Patrick Leonard and the duo Terry Britten and Graham Lyle.
Eligible voting members have until midnight Eastern on Dec. 4 to submit ballots with their choices of up to three nominees from each category. The top three vote-getters in each of the two categories will be inducted.
The 2026 inductees will be announced early next year and celebrated at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction & Awards Gala in New York City.
Established in 1969, the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s previous inductees include Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Brian Wilson, Bruce Springsteen, Carole King, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Lionel Richie and Phil Collins. The 2025 class included George Clinton, The Doobie Brothers, Ashley Gorley, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, The Beach Boys’ Mike Love and Tony Macaulay.
2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame nominees
Songwriters
- Walter Afanasieff
- Pete Bellotte
- Andreas Carlsson
- Steve Kipner
- Jeffrey Le Vasseur p/k/a Jeffrey Steele
- Patrick Leonard
- Terry Britten and Graham Lyle
- Bob McDill
- Kenny Nolan
- Martin Page
- Vini Poncia
- Tom Snow
- Christopher “Tricky” Stewart
- Larry Weiss
Performing Songwriters
- Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell of America
- David Byrne
- Richard Carpenter
- Harry Wayne Casey
- Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings of The Guess Who
- Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS
- Kenny Loggins
- Sarah McLachlan
- Alecia B. Moore p/k/a P!nk
- Boz Scaggs
- James Todd Smith p/k/a LL Cool J
- Taylor Swift
- Charlotte Caffey, Kathy Valentine and Jane M. Wiedlin of The Go-Go’s
