Kris Kristofferson. Photo: Marina Chavez

A first-rate lineup of country performers took the stage at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena last night (March 16) to pay tribute to the storied and eclectic life of songwriter, singer, entertainer, and actor Kris Kristofferson.

Of course, there are many more superlatives to add to that list: Kristofferson has also been a Golden Gloves boxer, a Rhodes scholar, a college football player, a military officer, a helicopter pilot, a Grammy-winner, and an icon. Kristofferson’s acting roles have included A Star is Born (opposite Barbra Streisand, who sent in a video tribute for the evening), as well as Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Blade and more films.

Reba, Alison Krauss, Buddy Miller, Larry Gatlin, Jessi Alexander, Jon Randall, Jessi Colter, Shooter Jennings, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Ryan Bingham, Rosanne Cash, Eric Church, Emmylou Harris, Jack Ingram, Jamey Johnson, Martina McBride, Willie Nelson, Jennifer Nettles, Darius Rucker, Hank Williams Jr. and Lee Ann Womack all took a turn in the spotlight to pay honor with their renditions of his hit songs.

Nettles brought one of the evening’s early standing ovations, for her passionate, spirited rendition of “Worth Fighting For,” a track recorded on Kristofferson’s 1995 album A Moment Of Forever.

Johnson and Krauss opted for a quieter, lush performance of “For The Good Times,” followed by Krauss’ solo take on “Casey’s Last Ride,” a track from the 1970 Monument Records release Kristofferson.

Bentley offered a bluegrass spin on “From The Bottle To The Bottom,” with help from the Travelin’ McCourys. The track was included on Bentley’s 2010 album Up On The Ridge, and featured Kristofferson.

Throughout the evening, Kristofferson collaborated with performers, including “Lonely Way Back Home” with Harris. Reba coaxed a sing-along chorus on his classic “Me and Bobby McGee.”

“This song and Kris saved my life,” said Church, before performing “To Beat The Devil.” Church told the crowd he almost packed it up and headed back to North Carolina early in his career. “I had a rough time in Nashville, like a lot of people who get told ‘No’ a lot. I played that game where if I get told no one more time, I’m outta here.” He met with a publisher the next day. I played maybe half a song and the guy said, ‘I don’t know where you are from, and I don’t know much about ya, but I’d go back there.'” Church went to his car and “To Beat The Devil” came on. “It talked about the very thing I was going through.”

After hearing the song, he pressed on, determined to stay just one more day in Nashville. “That next day, I got a publishing deal,” said Church. “So I’m here because of that man right there,” he said, as Kristofferson sat on the side of the stage.

Nashville Mayor Megan Barry made a surprise appearance to proclaim March 16, 2016 as Kris Kristofferson Day in Nashville. “I’m speechless. You blew me away. Nashville saved my life again,” said Kristofferson.

The crowd was on its feet as Nelson took the stage, offering the song “Living Legend,” before he was joined by Kristofferson for “Sunday Morning Coming Down.”

Kristofferson and Nelson, the surviving half of 1980s country supergroup The Highwaymen, were joined by Waylon Jennings’ son Shooter, as well as Johnson, for a rendition of “The Highwaymen.”

The evening culminated in an all-star singalong, led by Kristofferson, on his classic “Why Me Lord.”

Set List:

“Kristofferson,” performed by Jessi Alexander, Jon Randall and Larry Gatlin
“Jesus Was A Capricorn,” performed by Jack Ingram
“Please Don’t Tell Me How The Story Ends,” performed by Buddy Miller
“Here Comes That Rainbow Again,” performed by Martina McBride
“The Taker,” performed by Ryan Bingham
“Nobody Wins,” performed by Lee Ann Womack
“Worth Fighting For,” performed by Jennifer Nettles
“Lovin’ Her Was Easier (Than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again),” performed by Rosanne Cash
“Chase The Feeling,” performed by Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell
“The Pilgrim, Chapter 33,” performed by Emmylou Harris (featuring Kristofferson)
“Bottle To The Bottom,” performed by Dierks Bentley and the Travelin’ McCourys
“Help Me Make It Through The Night,” performed by Lady Antebellum
“Under The Gun,” performed by Darius Rucker
“For The Good Times,” performed by Alison Krauss and Jamey Johnson
“Casey’s Last Ride,” performed by Alison Krauss
“If You Don’t Like Hank Williams,” performed by Hank Williams, Jr.
“To Beat The Devil,” performed by Eric Church
“Me and Bobby McGee,” performed by Reba
“Living Legend,” performed by Willie Nelson
“Sunday Morning Comin’ Down,” performed by Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson
“The Highwaymen,” performed by Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Shooter Jennings, and Jamey Johnson
“Why Me Lord,” all-star finale led by Kristofferson

Nashville’s Opry Mills will be the home of a new Madame Tussauds wax museum in spring 2017.

The museum will boast Madame Tussaud’s first music-themed attraction, “Soundtrack Of America,” and will celebrate iconic musicians past and present. Included in those waxworks are Carrie Underwood, Stevie Wonder, and Johnny Cash, along with 45 other figures.

This attraction will provide a historical walk through America’s musical past and present with vivid scenes supporting the colorful cast of figures. Madame Tussauds is owned and operated by global leisure giant Merlin Entertainments plc (Merlin).

“We couldn’t be more excited to open the first Madame Tussauds in Tennessee in a little over a year,” Ben Thompson, Merlin’s senior marketing director of new openings and acquisitions, said in a statement. “This fun and unique attraction will highlight milestone moments from historical to contemporary music — both from around the country and in Nashville.”

”Opry Mills has always been a top tourist destination in Music City,” said Gregg Goodman, president of The Mills, a Simon Company. “We are beyond excited to be the home of the first-ever music-themed Madame Tussauds. The team at Merlin is sure to deliver a project that will exceed even the wildest of expectations.”

Madame Tussauds has U.S. locations in Hollywood, Las Vegas, New York, San Francisco, Washington and Orlando, Fla.

Pictured (L-R): Shannon Houchins, CEO/President-Average Joes Entertainment; Eddie Montgomery, Troy Gentry, Doug Kaye, V.P. Sales/Finance, Average Joes Entertainment

“Where I Come From,” the hit single performed by country duo Montgomery Gentry, and released on the Average Joes Entertainment album, Rebels on the Run, has been certified gold by the RIAA. Released in October 2011, this gold certification marks the second career gold single for Montgomery Gentry.

Written by Rodney Clawson and Dallas Davidson, Troy Gentry explained to Billboard Magazine the song’s meaning: “It’s just a song that’s about our fans. Regardless of where you end up in life, you always remember your hometown. There are special things you remember in life, and your childhood days and high school years. I think anyone who hears this song will be able to listen to and reflect on their earlier years in life, and the place they grew up, and appreciate the lyrics of the song.”

Eddie Montgomery added: “I love the song. It doesn’t matter where you go in this world, you always take a little piece of your home with you. This song continues to resonate with our fans years after its release.”

They are also set to headline the benefit concert Hits For The Homeless, set to take place Monday, May 9 at The Factory at Franklin/Jamison Hall, beginning at 5 p.m. The event will include dinner, a silent auction, and an intimate acoustic performance. Tickets are available at plamedia.com.

Jimmy Webb To Celebrate Glen Campbell At City Winery

(L-R): Glen Campbell, Jimmy Webb. Photo: ©2000 Sandra Gillard/Lightkeepers

On Tuesday, May 3, songwriter Jimmy Webb (“Wichita Lineman,” “Galveston,” “By the Time I Get to Phoenix”) brings his national touring show Jimmy Webb: The Glen Campbell Years to City Winery Nashville. The multi-media concert will celebrate Campbell’s 80th birthday and the legacy of music they created together, including virtual duets and stories behind those iconic songs. Webb will be joined by three of Glen’s children – Ashley, Shannon, and Cal – to perform a song commemorating their dad’s birthday (April 22, 1936). Tickets go on sale Thurs., March 17.

Carrie Underwood Wraps C2C Run

Click to see highlights from the trip. Photos: Jeff Johnson

After selling out all her American dates on The Storyteller Tour, Carrie Underwood took her tour to Europe this month. Last weekend she headlined sold out shows at Glasgow’s Clyde Auditorium, London’s O2 Arena, and Dublin’s 3 Arena. The weekend prior she played for the first time in Stockholm, Sweden, and Oslo, Norway. All five dates were a part of Country to Country (C2C), Europe’s biggest country music festival. Next up, she will vie for ACM Female Vocalist of the Year at the April 3 ceremony.

Hank Jr. Adds Tour Dates

Hank Williams Jr. has been selling out concerts across the country and continues to add dates. He will co-headline a limited run tour with Chris Stapleton this summer. Tonight (March 16) Williams joins the all-star lineup for the Life & Songs of Kris Kristofferson tribute show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

Williams will entertain his rowdy friends during CMA Music Festival when he plays the Stadium Friday, June 10, alongside Stapleton, Carrie Underwood, Eric Church and Sam Hunt.

Kelsea Ballerini Teams With Mary Kay

Kelsea Ballerini will join Mary Kay’s Global Day of Beauty event in the spring, lending her voice to raise awareness about dating violence. The event will educate teens and young adults on healthy relationships, signs of dating abuse and knowledge of support services. The Black River Entertainment recording artist is nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year and New Female Vocalist of the Year at the ACM Awards.