The 2011 Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductees have been announced and Garth Brooks is among the honorees.

Garth released the following statement with his thoughts on the honor:

I want to thank the Songwriters Hall of Fame for this distinguished honor. To consider myself a "songwriter" is something I find hard to agree with, for it is the songwriter that is the most gifted and most important ingredient in the music formula. I am humbled and flattered by this award and want to thank the songwriters I have written with in the past. I feel it is because of them I am receiving this award.

Garth joins fellow inductees including John Bettis, Leon Russell, Allen Toussaint, Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly.

From the press release:

SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES 2011 INDUCTEES

John Bettis, Garth Brooks, Leon Russell, Billy Steinberg & Tom Kelly
and Allen Toussaint

The CMA Songwriters Series is a win-win situation for songwriters and country music fans alike. For the songwriter the evening brings a chance to share the stories and inspiration that lie behind the song and for the fans, an opportunity to get up-close and personal with some of Nashville’s finest writing talents.

On Tuesday, February 15th, CMA Songwriters Series visits Club Nokia. This marks the second visit to Los Angeles since the series began seven years ago. 2010 New Artist nominee Chris Young and two-time CMA winner Gretchen Wilson are among the featured writers for 2011.

Wilson had this to say about being a songwriter:

To be called a songwriter is every bit as important to me as being called an artist. Country Music has always been about the song – about the story – and I’m excited to be a part of telling that story in LA with this incredible group of songwriters, though with this cast of characters, I think we can guarantee as much laughter as music!

Brett James, Victoria Shaw and Bob DiPiero will also join in on the festivities with DiPiero serving as host for the evening.

It’s that time of year again…CMA Week in Nashville; and last night the SESAC Awards were held to kick it off. Rather than go to an individual who is strictly behind penning the hits this year top honor, Songwriter of the Year, went to Hillary Scott, who as one-third of Lady Antebellum also spends plenty of time front and center on the stage singing the hits she’s helped write. “Need You Now”, the title track from the group’s platinum-selling, sophomore album was recognized as Song of the Year.

Accomplished songwriter Liz Rose, probably known best for her collaborations with Taylor Swift (“Teardrops On My Guitar”, “You Belong With Me” and “Fearless” to name a few), has gone independent and recently launched her own publishing company, Liz Rose Music, Inc. (BMI). When asked about her new venture, Rose had this to say,

“I am finally doing this. I am excited to be able to have this opportunity and help to nurture a family of amazing writers”

. Company General Manager and Creative Director Scott Ponce spoke highly of Rose and the goal behind getting involved with the new launch.

“We are launching with one of the industry’s most seasoned of songwriters in Liz. Our goal is to manage our assets to their fullest potential and continue to develop the talent we are signing.”

It hasn’t gone unnoticed either; Grammy award winner, SESAC Songwriter of the Year and BMI Song of the Year are all evidence of the recognition to back the claim. In addition to working with Taylor, the award –winning songwriter has also penned cuts for Martina McBride, Gary Allan, Tim McGraw, Lee Ann Womack and Trisha Yearwood among others.