Garth Brooks To Receive NSAI’s Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award

Garth Brooks will be honored as the next recipient of NSAI’s Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award at the 5th annual Nashville Songwriter Awards presented by City National Bank. The awards are scheduled for Sept. 20 at the Ryman Auditorium. Ticket on-sale information will be released at a later date.

The Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award is given to an individual whose works have made a significant contribution to the American songbook and has inspired the careers of others. It has only been given to three other individuals since its inception: Loretta Lynn (2019), Bill Anderson (2018) and Willie Nelson (2013). The honorees are chosen personally by Kristofferson, and is the greatest honor within NSAI’s organizational awards.

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

“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,” Brooks explains. “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 annual Nashville Songwriter Awards is a celebration of songs and songwriters. Many of the recipients determined by a community of peer professional writers honoring their most-admired songs from the past year to determine the Song of the Year and the 10 Songs I Wish I’d Written awards.

The evening is filled with performances of honored guests and songs, and is a celebration of the adoration shared between all for the art of songwriting.