The Australian Country Music Foundation (ACMF) has announced the introduction of a new award for country music writers and journalists.
Winner of the first Australian Country Music Literary Award will be presented this July during the Hats Off To Country Festival in Tamworth, Australia’s Country Music Capital.
"We have seen the need for an award of this nature for some time," said ACMF President Bob Kirchner.
"The role of the Foundation is to protect and preserve the history and heritage of Australian country music, and the best way to do this is, of course, by writing it down.
"And that role, largely, is one that lays at the feet of historians... those that have undertaken such work in the past and those that are doing it now," Bob said.
"With this new award, we will not only be recognising excellence in contributions to Australian country music via the written word, but also encouraging today’s writers and historians to do more."
Recipients of the award will be determined by the ACMF Board.
"We welcome nominations for this award," Bob said. "The first recipient has already been determined, but we will be encouraging a wider input by way of nominations for the future."
The award will be presented during the Cavalcade of Stars concert in the Tamworth Town Hall on Friday night, July 7.
