The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) has announced this year's nominees for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Winners will be revealed at the annual dinner and induction ceremony on Nov. 4. Among the nominees er several great songwriters, who wrote for Elvis Presley:
In the "Songwriters Pre-1971" category we find Hal Blair, a true veteran of songwriting. In the early 60's, together with his regular songwriting buddy Don Robertson, also a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, he wrote several fine songs for Elvis: "No More" (from "Blue Hawaii"), "I Met Her Today", "I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here" (from "Fun In Acapulco") and "What Now, What Next, Where To".
In the "Songwriters 1971-1981" category we find Dennis Linde and Layng Martine Jr. Dennis Linde wrote what many consider Elvis' greatest studio recording of the 70's, "Burning Love". He also wrote for Elvis "I've Got A Feeling In My Body", recorded at the legendary STAX studios in December, 1973, and "For The Heart", recorded in 1976 and later under the title "Had A Dream" The Judds' breakthrough hit. Layng Martine Jr. wrote "Way Down", probably the greatest recording of Elvis' last recording sessions at Graceland in 1976.
In the "Songwriter/Artist Pre-1971" category we find Jerry Reed and Billy Joe Shaver. A legendary guitarist and songwriter as well as a performer of numerous hit records himself, Jerry Reed wrote four songs, which Elvis recorded: "Guitar Man" and "U.S. Male", two of the songs that helped putting Elvis back on track in the late sixties, when he also played guitar on several recording sessions including besides his own songs "Big Boss Man" and "Too Much Monkey Business". He also wrote "Thing Called Love", recorded by Elvis for his 1971 gospel album "He Touched Me", and "Talk About The Good Times", also recorded by Elvis at STAX. Country music outlaw Billy Joe Shaver wrote "You Asked Me To", which Elvis again, recorded at his December 1973 sessions at STAX. "You Asked Me" was a big hit for Waylon Jennings, who recorded a whole album of Shavers songs.
Visit the Nashville Songwriters Foundation and Hall of Fame, there are numerous inductees with Elvis connections, such as Mac Davis, Don Robertson, Jerry Chesnut, Eddie Rabbitt and Dallas Frazier.