Lainey Wilson and HARDY, who won multiple awards for their country hit “Wait in the Truck,” now find themselves competing for a Grammy nomination for songwriter of the year, non-classical (and also for best new artist).
Wilson and HARDY, who is listed as Michael Hardy in songwriting categories, are among 58 songwriting pros who are competing for a nomination for songwriter of the year, non-classical.
The award, which is in its second year, got a big boost from the Recording Academy, which moved it from being the only category in the songwriting field last year to the general field, which also includes record, album and song of the year plus best new artist. Producer of the year, non-classical was also moved up to that high-rent district on the Grammy ballot. The move is expected to greatly increase the number of Academy members who will vote in these two categories.
Songwriter of the year, non-classical was specifically designed to celebrate songwriters who primarily write for other artists, rather than songwriters who are also artists or producers. So how did Wilson and HARDY make the list? Wilson’s entry shows songs she wrote for Ashley McBryde, Mackenzie Porter and more. HARDY’s shows songs he wrote for Morgan Wallen, Jelly Roll and Cole Swindell, in addition to his own work.
Eight past Grammy winners are vying for nominations in the category. The roster includes Liz Rose and Hillary Lindsey, who shared a Grammy for best country song eight years ago for co-writing (with Lori McKenna) the Little Big Town smash “Girl Crush.”
The six other past Grammy winners vying for a nod in this category are Edgar Barrera, Claudia Brant, Jason Ingram, Shane McAnally, Jonathan Smith and Diane Warren.
Warren has received 15 Grammy nominations, more than any other of this year’s other contenders for this award. She has won just one Grammy – best song written specifically for a motion picture or for television for her Celine Dion classic “Because You Loved Me.”
Nija Charles and Laura Veltz, who were nominated in this category last year, are in the running to be nominated two years in a row. But Tobias Jesso Jr., who won the inaugural award, is not on the entry list in this category this year, nor are last year’s nominees Amy Allen and The-Dream.
One songwriting pair is nominated – Mariah Martinez and Dana Victoria Portlalatin.
Lauren Christy is entered with songs she wrote for such artists as Pentatonix and Loud Luxury featuring Bebe Rexha. Christy was nominated for producer of the year, non-classical in 2003 as part of The Matrix (along with Graham Edwards and Scott Spock).
This category is analogous to producer of the year, non-classical, which was introduced in 1974. Thom Bell, one of the architects of the Philadelphia soul sound, was the first winner in that category.
First-round voting for the 66th annual Grammy Awards opened on Wednesday Oct. 11 and closes Oct. 20. Nominees will be announced on Nov. 10 (five days earlier than last year). The final-round voting window extends from Dec. 14 through Jan. 4, 2023 (same as last year). Winners will be announced on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, at Crypto.com Arena (formerly known as Staples Center) in Los Angeles.
Here are the 58 songwriters who are in the running for the 2024 Grammy for songwriter of the year. They are listed in alphabetical order.
Sarah Aarons
Carole Ailin
Andy Albert
Aldae
Jessi Leigh Alexander
Vision Alexander
Edgar Barrera
Evan Bogart
Claudia Brant
Nija Charles
Lauren Christy
Kevyn Mauricio Cruz
Delacey
Jessie Jo Dillon
Dougie F (Douglas Ford)
Jessie Early
Feli Ferraro
Jesse Frasure
Jesús Roberto Laija García
Natalie Nicole Gilbert
Ashley Gorley
Charlie Handsome
Michael Hardy
Scott Harris
Jamie Hartman
Jacob Kasher Hindlin
Sarah Hudson
Ethan Hulse
Jason Ingram
Steph Jones
Jozzy
Ilsey Juber
Sean Kennedy
Akil “World Wide Fresh” King
Chris LaCorte
Lauri Laubre
Hillary Lindsey
Madison Love
Mariah Martinez and Dana Victoria Portalatin
Shane McAnally
Maureen “Mozella” McDonald
Josh Miller
Michael Pollack
Sam Roman
Elena Rose
Liz Rose
Jonathan Smith
Sarah Solovay
Jacob Sooter
Mike Spears
Theron Thomas
Justin Tranter
Laura Veltz
Billy Walsh
Diane Warren
Simon Wilcox
Lainey Wilson
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