It has just been revealed that iconic Country Music star, Kris Kristofferson will receive the 2019 Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award at the upcoming CMA Awards in Nashville.
A special tribute performance is being planned featuring a performance of Kristofferson’s classic ‘Me and Bobby McGee’ by Dierks Bentley with Sheryl Crow, Chris Janson and John Osborne.
“Kris is a living legend whose impact on our genre has been monumental,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer.
“He is the definition of an icon and someone our community holds with such high regard. I’m thrilled our Board selected Kris this year for one of CMA’s highest accolades.”
“Though he won’t be joining us at the CMA Awards, I hope our tribute performance brings a big smile to his face.”
The Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award is for an iconic artist who has attained the highest degree of recognition in Country Music.
The Award was established to recognize an artist who has achieved both national and international prominence and stature through concert performances, humanitarian efforts, philanthropy, record sales, and public representation at the highest level.
The artist receiving this Award has positively impacted and contributed to the growth of the genre throughout a course of years that have proven to have an unprecedented historical impact on fans and industry alike.
Check out The Highwaymen performing ‘Me and Bobby McGee’
Previous recipients of the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award include Willie Nelson (2012), Kenny Rogers (2013), Johnny Cash (2015), and Dolly Parton (2016).
Kristofferson, a Country Music Hall of Fame member, is an eight-time CMA Awards nominee, receiving his most recent nod in 2012 for CMA Musical Event of the Year with ‘Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die,’ collaborating with Nelson, Snoop Dogg and Jamey Johnson.
He won CMA Song of the Year in 1970 for the chart-topping ‘Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down.’
The CMA Awards will air live on 9GEM in Australian next Thursday.
