Community Remembers Music Icon Kris Kristofferson
Kris Kristofferson. Photo: Mary Ellen Mark
Country Music Hall of Fame member, prolific songwriter and Golden Globe-winning actor Kris Kristofferson passed away at his home in Maui, Hawaii on Saturday (Sept. 28) at age 88.
Since the news of his passing, artists, industry members and fans alike have taken to social media to share memories and pay tribute to the late country music icon. Below are some of those messages. Click here to read Kristofferson’s full obituary.
“Kristofferson believed to his core that creativity is God-given, and that those who ignore or deflect such a holy gift are doomed to failure and unhappiness. He preached that a life of the mind gives voice to the soul, and then he created a body of work that gave voice not only to his soul but to ours. Kris’s heroes included the prize fighter Muhammad Ali, the great poet William Blake, and the ‘Hillbilly Shakespeare,’ Hank Williams. He lived his life in a way that honored and exemplified the values of each of those men, and he leaves a righteous, courageous and resounding legacy that rings with theirs.” — Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
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“Songwriters have lost an icon and a friend. As one of the founding fathers of Music Row, Kris Kristofferson set the bar for greatness in the art of writing songs. He was a true star. The air changed when he walked in the room. Country music, Nashville and NSAI would not be who we are today without the incredible Kris Kristofferson.” – Lee Thomas Miller, NSAI President
“Kris Kristofferson was an incredible songwriter, performer, and represented the Country Music genre to the entire world both through his music, and through his acting career. His solo work along with the music of The Highwaymen set a standard for all of Country Music, and his acting in films including A Star Is Born and Songwriter made him beloved by the world at large,” said Damon Whiteside, CEO of the Academy of Country Music. “Kris Kristofferson was known for telling it like it is as a songwriter, and I’m so thankful we were able to honor him with the ACM Poet’s Award in 2013, which was one of his three ACM Awards. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Kris’ family, along with all of his friends and fans.” – Damon Whiteside, ACM CEO
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“The Country Music world has lost one of its most profound storytellers. I was fortunate to get to work with Kris on many projects over the years. His charm was exactly what you’d expect—unassuming and slightly mysterious yet deeply warm. As a prolific writer, actor and performer, his gifts were unlike anyone else. We regret that we will no longer be beneficiaries of his incredible words and talents. Our hearts go out to Kris’s friends and family during this sad time.” – Sarah Trahern, Country Music Association CEO
“What a gentleman, kind soul, and a lover of words. I am so glad I got to meet him and be around him. One of my favorite people. Rest in peace, Kris.” – Reba McEntire
“Kris Kristofferson was the songwriter’s songwriter. We all looked up to him and wished we could have written with such “elegant simplicity.” His music will live forever, and I will forever treasure the times I got to spend with him. Rest in peace, my friend, knowing that you were the best.” – Bill Anderson
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“What a great loss. What a great writer. What a great actor. What a great friend. I will always love you.” – Dolly Parton
“Hard to believe my friend Kris Kristofferson has left us. He was successful in all areas of his life A champion boxer, a world-class actor, a spectacular songwriter and singer, and a hero to everyone fortunate enough to know him. I will never forget his support for me when I received my first CMA Male Vocalist of the Year award – his friendship and encouragement helped validate my career in country music and my place in Nashville. My family and I send our deepest sympathy to Kris’ family. We lost a giant in our industry today!” – Lee Greenwood
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So sad to hear of the passing of @Kkristofferrson. Artists and songwriters of this caliber come along very rarely and he certainly made his mark on the world. My family, like most people, were huge fans and we will all miss him. I knew him on a professional level only but I…
— George Strait (@GeorgeStrait) September 30, 2024
“We were asked to produce an album by a record label in Europe with lots of stars from Switzerland and American singers duetting together. All of the singers wanted to do ‘Bobby McGee’ but we hadn’t seen Kris for a while and didn’t have a contact for him. A friend of ours mentioned he knew how to reach him, and so we asked him to explain the project and see if Kris would be part of it. He answered us almost immediately and said he would love to do it and to tell Howard and David just to send the tracks to his studio in Hawaii and he’d record the vocals. Of course all of the Swiss artists were so excited they all wanted to sing with him, and so they did, from the yodelers to the rock stars to the folk singers and everything in between because Kris’ music is universal, everyone knows it and everyone loves to sing it and everyone will miss Kris Kristofferson so much but his legacy will live on. We love you, Kris.” – David and Howard Bellamy, The Bellamy Brothers
“What a loss. When he first came to town, Bob Beckham called me and offered me any of his first songs to record. I chose ‘Sunday Morning Coming Down.’ It wasn’t a hit for me but it was for Cash. Kris had a way with words like no one else. Rest in Peace, Kris.” – Ray Stevens
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