2023 Inductees & Performers

Ann Hampton Callaway was born in Chicago. Her mother was a prolific songwriter, performer, and actress. Her father, John Callaway, was a journalist. Ann learned scat singing from her father and classical music from her mother. Ann wrote and sang the theme song for the TV Show “The Nanny” and “The Jim J and Tammy Faye Show”, as well as music in the play “Baltimore Star” by David Weiner. She wrote the song “At the Same Time” for Barbra Streisand. The song appeared on Streisand’s album “Higher Ground” which debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 and gave Callaway her first Platinum Record. Callaway wrote lyrics for “I Dreamed Of You” which Barbara Streisand sang to her husband James Brolin at their wedding. She worked as a Cabaret Singer in the ‘80s. After the attacks of 9/11, Ann composed “I Believe in America” and performed it on Larry King Live. In September 2005, Ann performed her song, “Let The Saints Come Marching” on National TV on the Fox News Channel. She wrote the song in honor of the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Her song “Who Can See The Blue the Same Again?” was released earlier the same year to raise money for the survivors of the 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami. She produced Singers Spotlight with Liza Minnelli and Christine Ebersoke, and starred in “Midnight Swing” for PBS TV Special, Live from the Lincoln Center” and the PBS and The Boston Pops. Callaway resurrected a song by the late Composer/ Songwriter Cole Porter which was entitled “I Gaze In Your Eyes.” This song was initially unrecorded but was performed with permission from the estate of Cole Porter, and was sung for President William Clinton at the White House.

Jan Daley is a prolific artist that had starring roles in stage Musicals like “Oklahoma”, “Anything Goes”, and “Carousel”. She had guest spots on late-night T.V. and Variety Shows including Joey Bishop, and the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. She toured with legendary comedians George Burns, Rodney Dangerfield, Don Rickles, and Bob Hope and is very close friends with comedy legend Carol Burnett. She performed on the Bob Hope Christmas USO Tour in Vietnam. Jan was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Song for the song “Til Love Touches Your Life” from the film “Madrom”. In 2003, Jan was honored to be asked by Bob Hope’s family to sing Mr. Hope’s and Shirley Ross’s Trademark Song “Thanks For The Memory” at Mr. Hope’s funeral.  The versatile singer has already landed a Billboards No.#1 for her album “The Way of a Woman,” (penned by Jan herself, among 5 other songs), including tracks from her acclaimed “Where There’s Hope'' CD which was backed by the Les Brown Jr. Swinging Big Band and the Springfield Symphony and months later“Home for Christmas,” which rode No.4# of the Billboards Top 10 Jazz Charts for over two months — receiving rave reviews on radio stations across the world.

Antonia Christina Basilotta (born September 22, 1943), better known by her stage name Toni Basil, is an American singer, choreographer, dancer, actress, and director. Her song “Mickey” topped the charts in the US, Canada and Australia and hit the top ten in several other countries. She was signed to Warner Bros. Records at some point in 1976, but never released any material for the label. In 1982, her single “Mickey” achieved international success. The song is a cover of “Kitty”, a 1979 release by the UK band Racey, written by Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman and produced by the latter. The original song did not include the “Oh Mickey, you’re so fine” chant, which Basil added. The video was conceived, directed, and choreographed by Basil for the UK-based label Radialchoice, before the inception of MTV in July 1981. Issued on Chrysalis Records in September 1982 in the US, the song knocked Lionel Richie from No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December. It topped the chart in Canada where it was issued by Virgin Records. The 45 was quickly certified Gold and in early 1983 reached Platinum status for sales of over 2 million copies in the United States alone. In 2009, VH1 ranked “Mickey” Number 6 on its list of the 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the ‘80s.

Cynthia Weil  - In the ever-changing music industry, it is a rare feat for a writer to achieve and maintain staying power. Cynthia Weil, together with her husband, composer Barry Mann, is one of the outstanding creators of American popular music – crafting countless hits and some of the most influential and beloved pop songs in a career that has spanned four decades.

With an undeniable knack for keeping in tune with the changing times, Weil is truly a music business phenomenon. Breaking ground in the early sixties, she was one of the first women in Rock and Roll – beginning her career at the pivotal era when Rock was edging out Tin Pan Alley. Since then she has written innumerable pop hits and has been able to create the kind of songs that transcend time.

Weil developed a signature style all her own. Her ability to adapt to different genres has created not one but many songs that have become themes and anthems…  music "soundtracks" to our lives. Based at the Brill Building, Weil and Mann were instrumental in shaping the sound of rock and roll in the 1960s, alongside other luminaries such as Carole King, Burt Bacharach, and Neil Diamond. Some of the Top songs she is known for is "On Broadway", "Walking in the Rain", "Here You Come Again" and "I Just Can't Help Believing".  You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling – the most played song in radio history, Just Once, Here You Come Again, On Broadway, Somewhere Out There, Don't Know Much, He's So Shy, Never Gonna Let You Go, We Gotta Get Out Of This Place… the words to these familiar enduring favorites were all written by one legendary lyricist, Cynthia Weil.

Pam Sawyer aka Pam Sawyer is a British songwriter/lyricist from London. She connected with Lew Grade who introduced her to American Pianist and Composer Bob Mersey. The two became husband and wife in 1958. They moved to New York in 1961 and started writing songs together. They separated, and afterward, Pamela was co-writer on many Motown Hits including “Love Child” sung by Diana Ross and The Supremes.