Kris Kristofferson
Kris Kristofferson’s songwriting catalog is staggering. He has written for and worked with some of the biggest names in music, had a brilliant recording career of his own, and made the successful leap to movie stardom. A true icon, Kristofferson’s contribution to music, in Texas and around the world, is immeasurable.
Born into a military family in Brownsville, Texas, Kristofferson spent his childhood moving from place to place, finally settling down in San Mateo, California. A Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University led to a master’s degree in English literature, and after achieving his degree he joined the U.S. Army, becoming a helicopter pilot.
Kristofferson moved to Nashville after resigning his commission in 1965, intent on becoming a professional songwriter. In 1966, Dave Dudley had success with the Kristofferson-penned hit single “Viet Nam Blues.” Within the next few years, many more Kristofferson originals hit the charts – songs destined to become standards, performed by a cavalcade of stars such as Roy Drusky, (“Jody and the Kid”), Billy Walker & the Tennessee Walkers (“From the Bottle to the Bottom”), Ray Stevens (“Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down”), Jerry Lee Lewis (“Once More with Feeling”), Faron Young (“Your Time’s Comin’”), Roger Miller (“Me and Bobby McGee”, “Best of all Possible Worlds”, “Darby’s Castle”), Ray Price (“For the Good Times”), Waylon Jennings (“The Taker”), Bobby Bare (“Come Sundown”), Johnny Cash (“Sunday Morning Coming Down”) and Sammi Smith (“Help Me Make It Through the Night”).
1971 Janis Joplin had a #1 pop hit with “Me and Bobby McGee” from her posthumous Pearl. This crossover hit introduced Kristofferson to an enormous new audience, and catapulted him to stardom. He released his successful second album, The Silver Tongued Devil and I in 1971; establishing his career as a recording artist in his own right. His solo career as well as his participation in the supergroup The Highwaymen (with Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings) have been resounding successes, earning him gurther awards and accolades.
