NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) \u2014 Grammy-winning songwriter Pat McLaughlin, whose decades-long career includes writing hits for country stars and collaborating extensively with the late John Prine, will be honored this fall at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.<\/p>\n
McLaughlin will be the next songwriter featured in the museum’s “Poets and Prophets” series<\/a>, which recognizes songwriters who have made significant contributions to country music.<\/p>\n The program is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 3, at 2:30 p.m. in the museum’s Ford Theater.<\/p>\n Museum Writer-Editor Allison Moorer will moderate an in-depth interview with McLaughlin featuring rare photographs, film and recordings from his career. McLaughlin will sign commemorative Hatch Show Print posters following the program.<\/p>\n McLaughlin is the third and final songwriter selected for the series in 2026. Josh Osborne was featured in February, followed by Ashley Gorley in May.<\/p>\n RELATED NEWS | PHOTOS: Kenny Chesney’s ‘Living in Fast Forward’ exhibit at Country Music Hall of Fame<\/a><\/p>\n From Nashville carpenter to hit songwriter<\/p>\n A native of Waterloo, Iowa, McLaughlin moved to Nashville in 1977 after living in San Francisco and Boston.<\/p>\n According to the museum, McLaughlin immersed himself in Nashville’s music scene at night while supporting himself through carpentry work during the day.<\/p>\n His first major songwriting success came a decade later, when Steve Wariner’s recording of “Lynda” reached No. 1 on the country charts in 1987.<\/p>\n McLaughlin went on to write songs recorded by some of country and Americana music’s best-known artists.<\/p>\n His credits include “Tell Me About It,” which became a No. 4 country duet for Tanya Tucker and Delbert McClinton; Josh Turner’s No. 2 hit “Firecracker”; Gary Allan’s “Songs About Rain,” which reached No. 12; and “Years,” the title track of John Anderson’s 2020 album.<\/p>\n His songs have also been recorded by artists including Dan Auerbach, Phoebe Bridgers, Marcus King, Taj Mahal, Bonnie Raitt and Lee Ann Womack.<\/p>\n McLaughlin has maintained his own recording career along the way, releasing 10 solo albums. His most recent, “Nashville After Dark,” was released in 2025.<\/p>\n