ACM to Recognize Songwriter of the Year in 2012

The Academy of Country Music has announced the inclusion of the Songwriter of the Year category during their annual awards ceremony, which will go into affect beginning in 2012 for their 47th annual ACM Awards show.

"The Academy has always paid tribute to songwriters, whether it was through Song of the Year, hosting songwriter No. 1 parties or honoring legends with the Poet's Award, as we do every year," says Michelle Goble, the ACM's Senior Vice President of Membership & Events. "We are thrilled to dedicate this annual award to the composers that make the country music genre so special in its rich history of storytelling."

The trophy was first awarded to country legend Roger Miller in 1965, but the category was discontinued until now. Although the artist and producer collects the award for winning Single of the Year, the songwriters are acknowledged for winning Song of the Year.

Past winning songwriters include Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland ('Stay') in 2007, Jamey Johnson and James Otto ('In Color') in 2008 and Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum in 2009 for their career-defining No. 1 single, 'Need You Now.'

Click here to view the winners and highlights of the 2011 awards ceremony.