FOR THE GOOD TIMES: THE ARTISTRY OF KRIS KRISTOFFERSON
The GRAMMY Museum is pleased to celebrate the life of GRAMMY-winning singer, songwriter, actor and activist Kris Kristofferson with the opening of a new exhibit titled For the Good Times: The Artistry of Kris Kristofferson on April 10, 2017. Curated by the Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Woody Guthrie Center, the exhibit is located on the GRAMMY Museum’s fourth floor and chronicles Kristofferson’s extraordinary life through artifacts provided the Kris Kristofferson estate.
On view through September 2017, this special exhibit will feature items such as:
- HANDWRITTEN LYRICS FOR VARIOUS HIT SONGS, INCLUDING “ME & BOBBY MCGEE,” “A MOMENT OF FOREVER,” AND “CLOSER TO THE BONE”
- KRISTOFFERSON’S ARMY-ISSUED JACKET WORN WHILE HE WAS SERVING AS AN AIRBORNE RANGER IN THE U.S. ARMY
- A HANDWRITTEN LETTER FROM JOHNN CASH
- KRISTOFFERSON’S BEST COUNTRY VOCAL ALBUM BY A DUO GRAMMY THAT HE WON IN 1973 WITH RITA COOLIDGE FOR THEIR SONG “FROM THE BOTTLE TO THE BOTTOM,” FEATURED ON THEIR ALBUM FULL MOON
- PLUS MORE!
ABOUT KRIS KRISTOFFERSON
As a singer, songwriter, actor, and activist, the artistry of Kris Kristofferson is multifaceted. His creative writing talents resulted in his being recognized as a Rhodes Scholar, and his study of literature, particularly poet William Blake, led to the call of songwriting. In 1961, Kristofferson joined the Army, serving as an Airborne Ranger and being assigned to teach literature at West Point.
Many in late ‘60s Nashville thought Kristofferson’s lyrics were too poetic and unsingable, but his independent nature strengthened his resolve to write songs that were thoughtful, sensual, and expressed raw emotion. His literary sensibilities were unmatched as they redefined country music and spoke for society’s disenfranchised. This outlaw poet’s work has been recorded by hundreds of artists, including Al Green, Bob Dylan, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, and Janis Joplin.
Kristofferson’s success as a songwriter led to a lengthy career as a film actor. His performance in A Star is Born gained him a Golden Globe for Best Actor in 1977, and his songwriting artistry garnered him numerous awards and accolades.
Following in the footsteps of Woody Guthrie, Kristofferson uses his voice to advocate for workers’ rights alongside the United Farm Workers, and he questioned U.S. involvement in Central America and Iraq. His ability to speak the truth through his artistry continues to challenge the political establishment and defend human rights.
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