Everyone has his or her own definition of what makes for a great songwriter. Mine is seen by some as being a bit simplistic. I like simple definitions. So here goes: a great songwriter is one who has written one great song.

Simple yes, but hold on. My definition of “great,” while subjective, is a song that stands far above the field, basically a perfect song. For example, I’m not a big fan of Billy Joel, but I do think he’s a great songwriter just for “Piano Man.” Same with a lot of James Taylor, but “Sweet Baby James”? He’s in. Most folks would agree that Bob Dylan is a great songwriter. However, my criteria would be less on his incisive (and long) literary analyses of modern life and more on, say, “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright.” Many would disagree, but if it weren’t for Kristofferson’s first album, whose songs were largely in his guitar case before arriving in Nashville, I’m not sure I’d put him on that pedestal. However, he did and I do, as there are at least four absolutely perfect songs on that disk.

Lists of favorite or best songwriters pop up now and then, yet rarely is Gram Parsons’ name present. This seems to be truer today than about 10 years ago when everyone seemed to be on the Gram bandwagon. Almost 40 years since his passing, some seem to blame him for his bad habits and dying young, others like to criticize his voice (to me one of the best and most nuanced ever for the genre). Still others are embedded in the so-called Americana or roots movement, which Parsons’ legacy supposedly spawned (though Parsons’ influences were largely popular and even crossover) and which most recently seems to wander further from Gram’s vision, a vision Emmylou once called “regressive country.”

Gram Parsons is a great and distinguished songwriter, period. By my definition it’s tough to single out his greatest song, as there are so many he…

Nomination Proposal to the CMA to Induct Gram Parsons Into the Country Music Hall of Fame; Reprinted on His 65th Birthday



(submitted as hard copy with List of Supporters to CMA, 9/19/08, on the 35th anniversary of Gram's death and available updated to them now 24/7 online)



Based on the criteria established and promulgated by the Country Music

Association in regard to an individual's nomination for induction into the

Country Music Hall of Fame (originally submitted Sept. 19, 2008):



Basic Standard A

Candidate basically is to be judged on the degree of his/her

contribution to the advancement of Country Music and on the indelibility of

his/her impact.



Ingram Cecil Parsons, ne Ingram Cecil Connor III (Gram Parsons) meets this

standard unquestionably, arguably advancing country music more than any

other individual or force within that past 40 some years. His indelible impact

can be seen and is seen in the broad scope of all types of country music today.

His contributions, from the International Submarine Band's "Safe at Home"

(which many critics consider to be one of the great country albums of all time),

his work with the Byrds during which he literally hijacked a rock band to

further his country vision with "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" (upon its release he

played the Grand Ole Opry, a milestone the Opry itself marks as being 33 in

their top 80 Opry Moments of All Time), through the groundbreaking "Gilded

Palace of Sin" and his two albums completed with his protégée Emmylou

Harris, "GP" and "Grievous Angel." It should be noted that Ms. Harris herself

on numerous occasions credits Gram Parsons for her understanding of and

distinguished career in country music and her own well deserved induction into

the Country Music Hall of Fame. Please see the comments of the almost 6,000

individuals comprising the List…