The 2011 Songwriters Hall of Fame Annual Induction and Awards Dinner will be packed with stars including Billy Joel, Dwight Yoakam, Bill Medley, Boz Scaggs, Chrissie Hynde, Dominic Chianese, Jimmy Jam, Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson, Sam Moore, Skylar Grey and Trisha Yearwood.

This year's dinner will be held Thursday, June 16th at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in NYC. Inductees at the 42nd annual event include John Bettis, Garth Brooks, Leon Russell, Billy Steinberg & Tom Kelly and Allen Toussaint. The Johnny Mercer Award will be presented to Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, and the Towering Song is “It Was A Very Good Year,” to be accepted by composer and lyricist Ervin Drake. The Hal David Starlight Award will be presented to Drake, the Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award recipient will be Chaka Khan.

Last year Billy presented Phil Ramone with The Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award.

Garth Brooks backstage at Shea Stadium. (Photo by Kevin Mazur)