Legendary singer-songwriter John Hiatt has been tapped to receive the Americana Music Association's 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award.

"It's a privilege to honor John Hiatt," says AMA Executive Director Jed Hilly. "He is the essence of what the Americana Songwriter award is all about -- a true artist, a performer and songwriter whose work is steeped with integrity."

Hiatt's songs have been recorded by a diverse list of artists, including Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Emmylou Harris, Bob Dylan, Aaron Neville, Iggy Pop, Steve Earle, Willie Nelson and Roseanne Cash. Through his 30-year career, Hiatt has also recorded 18 studio albums of his own and has received 11 Grammy nominations.

Past recipients of the Americana Music Association's Lifetime Achievement Award include Willie Nelson, Rodney Crowell, Guy Clark, Cowboy John Clement, John Prine and Billy Joe Shaver.

The Americana Honors and Awards Show will be held at Nashville's legendary Ryman Auditorium on September 18. The show will be hosted by past honoree Jim Lauderdale.