LIFE OF A SHOWGIRL, OFF TAYLOR’S NEW ALBUM. I HAD TO INCLUDE IT THIS WEEK BECAUSE IT’S ABOUT KITTY AND THAT’S MY NICKNAME. KATE SMITH HAS BEEN A SWIFTIE SINCE THE VERY BEGINNING, BUT IT WASN’T UNTIL SHE WAS AT A DIVE BAR WITH HER FRIENDS THAT THE BARTENDER SUGGESTED THE TWO START A PODCAST, AND THAT IS HOW THE SWIFT TALK WAS BORN. HELLO AND WELCOME TO THE SWIFT TALK I AM KATE. IT WAS A SWIFTIE AND A NOT SO SWIFT SAM WHO I WAS TRYING TO TURN HIM INTO A SWIFTIE, AND AFTER FOUR YEARS AND 200 EPISODES, WE REALIZED THAT SOME PEOPLE JUST CAN’T BECOME A SWIFTIE. HE RESPECTED THE PROCESS. HE RESPECTED THE WORK ETHIC. BUT THE MUSIC JUST WASN’T GOING TO GET HIM. INSTEAD OF HANGING UP THE MIC, SHE TURNED HER PASSION INTO A RADIO SHOW WHERE SHE PLAYS TAYLOR’S MUSIC AND STILL GETS TO TALK ABOUT SWIFT’S LATEST MOVES. TAYLOR DOES NOTHING BY ACCIDENT, TURNING HER LOVE FOR THE LATEST TAYLOR LORE INTO A SOURCE FOR ALL SWIFTIES IN THE STATE. YEAH, I MEAN, IT’S PART OF WHO I AM AND SO LIKE TO BE ABLE TO, LIKE, INTEGRATE IT INTO MY WORLD. IT’S JUST LITTLE PIECES. IF YOU WANTED TO HEAR MORE, TAYLOR, JUST POP IN TO THE SWIFTEST COFFEE SHOP ON THE SEACOAST CALLED THE WILDEST DREAMS. TAYLOR HAS BEEN AT THE HEART OF WHAT THEY DO SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 2021. THEY NEVER MISS A BIRTHDAY ALBUM RELEASE OR MILESTONE. CELEBRATING T THE ONLY WAY THEY KNOW HOW THEIR SIGNATURE COFFEE FLIGHTS. I SIT UP. IT KIND OF CREATES MORE OF AN ATMOSPHERE THAT’S NOT JUST ABOUT COFFEE, IT’S JUST MORE MORE THAN COFFEE. IT’S ABOUT SHARING THINGS THAT PEOPLE LOVE AND CELEBRATING TAYLOR’S MUSIC WITH US. CHEERS. YEAH. THAT’S GOOD. SHE’S DONE SO MUCH FOR US. SHE’S GOTTEN US THROUGH SO MANY HARD TIMES IN MISS DEBBIE’S CLASSROOM AT LAMPREY RIVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, TAYLOR HAS A HAND IN JUST ABOUT EVERY LESSON. AS A KID, TAYLOR TRIED LOTS OF DIFFERENT THINGS. WHETHER STUDENTS ARE LEARNING ABOUT TAYLOR AT STORYTIME, CELEBRATING HER BIRTHDAY ON DECEMBER 13TH, OR ATTENDING ONE OF THE SCHOOL’S MOST POPULAR AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS, THE SWIFTY CLUB, MISS DEBBIE IS TEACHING NOT ONLY THE NEXT GENERATION, BUT THE NEXT GENERATION OF SWIFTIES. SO I THINK THE REALLY SPECIAL THING ABOUT TAYLOR IS THAT SHE’S BEEN ABLE TO STAY TIMELESS FOR SO LONG, AND SHE REALLY SHAPES HER IMAGE IN A WAY THAT MULTIPLE AGES OF PEOPLE CAN LOOK UP TO. HER CONNECTING WITH HER KIDS IS EASILY HER FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB. THE SECOND NEVER REPEATING AN OUTFIT DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR AND GETTING TO SHARE HER LOVE OF TAYLOR WITH HER KIDS IS ICING ON THE CAKE. SHE’S NEVER MET TAYLOR, BUT IF SHE DID, I WOULD SAY THANK YOU. THAT’S ALL I THINK I COULD SAY. THANKS TO MY SHOWS FROM ERAS TOUR, BRI BENOIT HASN’T MISSED TAYLOR SWIFT ON TOUR SINCE 2010 AND SHE HAD NO INTENTIONS OF MISSING THE HIGHEST GROSSING TOUR OF ALL TIME. BUT GETTING TICKETS TO THE ERAS TOUR THAT GREAT WAR LEFT HER WITH BAD BLOOD. WE DIDN’T GET ANY BECAUSE TICKETMASTER BOO. IT BECAME A FULL TIME JOB WORKING WITH FRIENDS, SCOURING ONLINE TRADING GROUPS, BUT HER HARD WORK PAID OFF, LANDING HER WITH 17 TRIPS TO THE ERAS TOUR. IT WAS A TIME OF MY LIFE. THE SHOWS BROUGHT HER ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND WORLD, AND TO ANSWER THE QUESTION ON EVERYONE’S MIND, YOU KNOW, I HONESTLY DON’T KNOW. LIKE I’VE NEVER CALCULATED IT. SO I DON’T KNOW THE TOTAL, BUT I’D NEVER PAID RESALE, WHICH I’M VERY PROUD OF. BRI IS A DEVOTED FAN AND EVEN SENT TAYLOR AN INVITE TO HER WEDDING. SHE’S MET TAYLOR TWICE AND HAS THE PICTURES TO PROVE IT WITH AND WITHOUT HER WIFE. I ALWAYS SAID THAT IF I EVER MEET TAYLOR, I WANT A HUGGING PHOTO AND SHE KNEW THAT WE HUGGED. AND YOU KNOW WHAT? I KNEW THAT WE WERE GOING TO BE TOGETHER FOREVER. BUT WHAT IF WE WEREN’T BY CROP? IT’S A PERFECT CROP THAT IS NOT JUST ANOTHER PICTURE TO BURN. WELL, HELLO. HELLO, WMUR CERTIFIED SWIFTIE KELLY O’BRIEN HERE AT GILLETTE STADIUM FOR TAYLOR SWIFT’S THE ERAS TOUR. I HAVE BEEN A TAYLOR SWIFT FAN FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER. I’VE DRESSED AS HER FOR HALLOWEEN. I’VE SEEN HER SEVERAL TIMES IN CONCERT AND TRAVELED TO NEW CITIES BECAUSE OF IT, HAVE BEEN WELCOMED TO NEW YORK WITH THE UNOFFICIAL TAYLOR TOUR, AND TAKEN OVER THEATERS TO WATCH HER ON THE BIG SCREEN. SHE’S ALWAYS FELT LIKE ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS, DESPITE HER HAVING ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA WHO I AM, AND NEVER IN MY WILDEST DREAMS DID I THINK THIS IS WHERE MY CAREER WOULD TAKE ME. IT IS GOING TO BE AN ENCHANTED NIGHT IN ONE FOR THE BOOKS WE’RE IN FOXBOROUGH. KELLY O’BRIEN, WMUR NEWS NINE. TAYLOR ONCE SAID TO REMEMBER THIS MOMENT AND THIS MOMENT, THIS COMMUNITY IS FULL OF MEMORIES THAT SWIFTIES WILL HOLD ON TO FOREVERMORE.
Taylor Swift, Kiss’ Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, Christopher “Tricky” Stewart, Alanis Morissette and Kenny Loggins make up the 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees.Swift’s songwriting has undeniably shaped contemporary pop music trends — and she’ll no doubt bring extra attention to this year’s new class.Kiss founders Simmons and Stanley — fresh off the band’s farewell — will also be recognized for their glam rock classics “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “I Love It Loud.”In addition to Swift, Simmons and Stanley, nominees this year include the soft rock legend Loggins (“Footloose,” “Danny’s Song”), the alt-rock icon Morissette (“You Oughta Know,” “Ironic”) and the game-changing R&B songwriter, producer and rapper Christopher “Tricky” Stewart, best known for work like Rihanna’s “Umbrella,” Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” and “Break My Soul.”The 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held June 11 in New York City.The Hall annually inducts performers and nonperformers alike. This year, the latter category includes the duo Terry Britten and Graham Lyle (Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got To Do With It.”)It’s also not uncommon for performers to gain entry after multiple nominations. Walter Afanasieff, who helped Mariah Carey with her smash “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” was previously nominated in the 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame class. He didn’t make the cut then, but this year, will be inducted.”The music industry is built upon the incredible talent of songwriters who create unforgettable songs. Without their artistry, there would be no recorded music, concert experiences, or engaged fans. Everything originates from the song and its creator,” Songwriters Hall of Fame chairman Nile Rodgers said in a statement. “This year’s lineup not only showcases iconic songs but also celebrates unity across various genres.”The Songwriters Hall of Fame was established in 1969 to honor those creating popular music. A songwriter with a notable catalog of songs qualifies for induction 20 years after the first commercial release of a song.Some already in the hall include Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Brian Wilson, James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Carole King, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, Lionel Richie, Bill Withers, Neil Diamond, Phil Collins, R.E.M., Steely Dan, Dean Pitchford, Hillary Lindsey and Timbaland.The 2025 class included George Clinton, The Doobie Brothers, Ashley Gorley, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, The Beach Boys’ Mike Love and Tony Macaulay.
Taylor Swift, Kiss’ Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, Christopher “Tricky” Stewart, Alanis Morissette and Kenny Loggins make up the 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees.
Swift’s songwriting has undeniably shaped contemporary pop music trends — and she’ll no doubt bring extra attention to this year’s new class.
Kiss founders Simmons and Stanley — fresh off the band’s farewell — will also be recognized for their glam rock classics “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “I Love It Loud.”
In addition to Swift, Simmons and Stanley, nominees this year include the soft rock legend Loggins (“Footloose,” “Danny’s Song”), the alt-rock icon Morissette (“You Oughta Know,” “Ironic”) and the game-changing R&B songwriter, producer and rapper Christopher “Tricky” Stewart, best known for work like Rihanna’s “Umbrella,” Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” and “Break My Soul.”
The 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held June 11 in New York City.
The Hall annually inducts performers and nonperformers alike. This year, the latter category includes the duo Terry Britten and Graham Lyle (Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got To Do With It.”)
It’s also not uncommon for performers to gain entry after multiple nominations. Walter Afanasieff, who helped Mariah Carey with her smash “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” was previously nominated in the 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame class. He didn’t make the cut then, but this year, will be inducted.
“The music industry is built upon the incredible talent of songwriters who create unforgettable songs. Without their artistry, there would be no recorded music, concert experiences, or engaged fans. Everything originates from the song and its creator,” Songwriters Hall of Fame chairman Nile Rodgers said in a statement. “This year’s lineup not only showcases iconic songs but also celebrates unity across various genres.”
The Songwriters Hall of Fame was established in 1969 to honor those creating popular music. A songwriter with a notable catalog of songs qualifies for induction 20 years after the first commercial release of a song.
Some already in the hall include Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Brian Wilson, James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Carole King, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, Lionel Richie, Bill Withers, Neil Diamond, Phil Collins, R.E.M., Steely Dan, Dean Pitchford, Hillary Lindsey and Timbaland.
The 2025 class included George Clinton, The Doobie Brothers, Ashley Gorley, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, The Beach Boys’ Mike Love and Tony Macaulay.
