Songwriters Hall of Fame Added Two Board Members
The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation appointed songwriters Don Cook and Jodi Marr to its board.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Country

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation expanded its leadership team by appointing Don Cook and Jodi Marr to the Board of Directors. These additions aim to further the organization mission of celebrating the legacy of Nashville songwriters.
Why it matters
The appointments strengthen the Foundation board as it continues to honor the historical impact of professional songwriters. By bringing in industry veterans, the organization seeks to better maintain its dedication to local musical heritage.
Don Cook previously secured 11 cuts while at Tree Publishing, while Jodi Marr has extensive credits including the production and co-writing of Mika debut album Life in Cartoon Motion.
The players
Don Cook
He is an accomplished songwriter who began his professional journey after signing with Acuff-Rose Publishing in Nashville.
Jodi Marr
She is a songwriter and producer who currently teaches Commercial Songwriting and Artist Development at Belmont University.
Rich Hallworth
He serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation.
The details
The Foundation Board of Directors operates under the leadership of Chair Rich Hallworth. The new appointees bring diverse experience from both professional songwriting and academic instruction.
Timeline
September 22, 2026: The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation announced the new board appointments.
Industry Dynamics
The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation serves as a vital institution for preserving the creative legacy of the songwriting community. These board appointments reflect a broader industry trend of integrating academic expertise and veteran industry experience into organizational leadership.
These appointments impact how fans and aspiring creators interact with the Hall of Fame by shaping the future focus of the organization. The involvement of faculty from institutions like Belmont University signals continued support for the development of the next generation of songwriters.
The takeaway
These leadership changes ensure that the Foundation remains grounded in both the professional history and the educational future of songwriting. Supporters and industry members can look to the updated board as a sign of the commitment to preserving the prestige of Nashville songwriters.
Further reading
For more on the local music scene, visit the Country section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MusicRow.










