The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) said in a press release that Garth Brooks will receive the ‘Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award’ at the 5th annual Nashville Songwriter Awards show in September. The Nashville Songwriter Awards celebrate songs and songwriters, with many recipients determined by the community of peer professional writers honoring their most-admired songs from the past year.

The Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award is ‘given to an individual whose works have made a significant contribution to the American songbook and one who has inspired the careers of others.’ Previous recipients are Loretta Lynn, Bill Anderson and Willie Nelson. Brooks was chosen personally by Kristofferson to receive the award.

Said Kristofferson: “It’s pretty damn embarrassing to give a man of Garth’s stature an award with my name on it. When Willie got one he said he could take of that. Congratulations Garth, I am truly humbled and honored that you have accepted this! You belong on Mount Rushmore. See you there.”

Brooks added: “When they name awards after artists, that award takes on an even greater meaning. Kristofferson is known as the songwriter’s songwriter… and he should be. The honor is the name on the award and the names who have received it. My hope is that through time, the Garth Brooks name is worthy of such an honor. This is going to be a cool night.”

The 2022 Nashville Songwriter Awards show will take place Sept. 20 at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn.

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