Hal David was the first recipient of the Visionary Leadership Award for his outstanding 10 years of service as the organization’s Chairman and CEO.
During his 10 years of service as Chairman/CEO, the SHOF’s Virtual Museum (songhall.org) developed into the industry’s most authoritative website on songwriters and songwriting, becoming a comprehensive research tool with over 250,000 records of data and over 10,000 pages of content that includes photos, discographies, audio clips and more. He also led the successful effort in establishing the Songwriters Hall of Fame Gallery at the GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles, the first brick and mortar home for the organization.
With David at the helm, the Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala has become one of the most anticipated events on the music industry calendar. David was also integral in creating resources for new songwriting talent as well as music industry professionals with workshops, scholarships and educational programs and events such as the “Master Class” series.
Along with his extraordinary service to the Songwriters Hall of Fame, David is a legendary and Academy Award winning lyricist. He was inducted into the SHOF in 1972, was honored with the Johnny Mercer Award in 1996 and the Towering Song Award for his iconic song “What The World Needs Now” in 2004. He has had 40 top 10 songs, and has received numerous awards and accolades such as the NARM Presidential Award, the B’Nai B’rith Creative Achievement Award and the prestigious Grammy Trustees Award by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
David served as a member of the Board of Governors of Cedars Sinai Medical Center, as well as the Board of Directors of ASCAP, having formerly served as its President.
Established in 2011, the Visionary Leadership Award acknowledges a Songwriters Hall of Fame Chairman, Board of Director or Officer who has made significant contributions in order to further the mission of the organization and elevate it to a new level of prominence and distinction.