NASHVILLE, TN (CelebrityAccess) — The Country Music Association announced that country music icon Kris Kristofferson will be the recipient of the 2019 Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.
Kristofferson will be presented with the honor during The 53rd Annual CMA Awards, which will be broadcast live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville Wednesday, Nov. 13.
The awards show will feature a special tribute to Kristofferson, including a performance of his classic hit “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.”
Kristofferson will join a small but august group of artists who have been honored with the award. Previous recipients of the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award include, perhaps unsurprisingly Willie Nelson, as well as Kenny Rogers, Johnny Cash, and Dolly Parton.
Kristofferson, who has won three Grammy Awards over the course of his storied career is already a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. His other accolades include Johnny Mercer Award from the Songwriter Hall of Fame, the American Veteran’s Association’s “Veteran of the Year Award,” and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, among others.
