The Songwriters Hall of Fame have announced that Van Morrison is the recipient of the Johnny Mercer Award at the annual Induction and Awards Dinner slated for June 18.

“We are thrilled to be honoring the songwriter who has combined Celtic fire with Rhythm & Blues in an unforgettable way,” said SHOF President & CEO Linda Moran,” Van Morrison and his songs have been a powerful cultural force on both sides of the Atlantic for five decades.”

The Johnny Mercer Award is the highest honor bestowed by the Songwriters Hall of Fame and is exclusively reserved for the songwriter of songwriting team who hasalready been inducted in a prior year. Morrison was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003.

Inductees at this year’s event include Bobby Braddock, Willie Dixon, Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia, Toby Keith, Cyndi Lauper and Linda Perry. Nate Ruess of fun. will receive the Hal David Starlight Award.