Timothy A. Clary/AFP/GettyImagesThursday night in New York City at the annual Songwriters Hall of Fame gala, Ne-Yo received the Hal David Starlight Award, which is presented by the Hall to young songwriters who are making an impact in the music industry with their original compositions.
Ne-Yo's in good company: previous recipients of that award have included Taylor Swift, Alicia Keys, John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Drake, John Legend and Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty. Alicia's husband, producer Swizz Beatz, was on hand to present the award to Ne-Yo.
On the red carpet, Ne-Yo -- who aside from his own hits has also penned smashes for Rihanna, Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson -- told ABC News Radio the honor meant a lot to him.
"This is an award that speaks directly to my heart," he said, "I'm a songwriter before anything else, and for other songwriters -- and not just other songwriters but for other prestigious and accomplished songwriters -- to tell me I'm worthy of this award...there's nothing greater. I'm floatin' right now."
While on the red carpet, Ne-Yo got to meet and pose for photos with some of the other inductees and presenters, including Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Stevie Nicks and Bob Seger. Asked what it was like to encounter such legends, Ne-Yo told ABC News Radio, "I don't know what to say! I'm still in a place where I don't now what to say when I meet people I look up to. I go 'Hi' and that's pretty much it. I hope they don't think I'm weird!"
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio
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