A light went out in the country music world on Sept. 28, 2024, when news broke that Kris Kristofferson had died at age 88. The outlaw country icon penned such timeless hits as Johnny Cash’s “Sunday Morning Coming Down” and Janis Joplin’s “Me and Bobby McGee.” He also found success in Hollywood, starring in films like A Star Is Born and Blade. During Thursday’s (May 8) 60th ACM Awards, the Academy of Country Music took some time to pay tribute to Kris Kristofferson and others we’ve lost in the last year.
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Kris Kristofferson, Melba Montgomery Memorialized During ACM Awards
As Reba McEntire broke out into an a cappella version of “Me and Bobby McGee” at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, a slide of Kris Kristofferson appeared behind it. Reba went on to name other country music titans as more pictures flashed on the wall behind her.
Oh, Reba. That touched my soul. #ACMawards
— BOSS (@crystalmae____) May 9, 2025
This year’s tribute honored Kristofferson, along with others like Melba Montgomery. The “No Charge” country star, known for recording duets with George Jones and Charlie Louvin, died Jan. 15 at age 86.
Following a suggestion from record producer and songwriter Fred Foster, Kristofferson penned “Me and Bobby McGee” in 1970. Foster had a crush on Barbara “Bobbie” McKee, a secretary on Nashville’s Music Row. However, Kristofferson misheard her surname as “McGee,” and one of the most iconic rock songs ever was born.
In 2015, Kristofferson explained to Performing Songwriter that he drew inspiration from the 1954 Fellini film La Strada for the song’s lyrics. Specifically, a scene where a drunk, war-torn man “ends up howling at the stars on the beach.”
“To me, that was the feeling at the end of ‘Bobby McGee.’ The two-edged sword that freedom is,” Kristofferson said. “He was free when he left the girl, but it destroyed him. That’s where the line ‘Freedom’s just another name for nothing left to lose’ came from.”
[RELATED: 3 Kris Kristofferson Songs That Johnny Cash (and Bob Dylan) Recorded First]
Reba McEntire Is Closing in On This Record
Tonight’s 60th ACM Awards marks country superstar Reba McEntire’s 18th time to host the country music awards ceremony. The “Fancy” singer made her hosting debut in 1986 alongside Mac Davis and John Schneider.
After tonight, Reba needs to host the ACM Awards just two more times in order to beat a record set by Bob Hope, who helmed the Academy Awards 19 times.
Featured image by Don Paulsen/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
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