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Dierks Bentley, Chris Janson Lead Kris Kristofferson Tribute at 2019 CMA Awards

The Country Music Association just Kris Kristofferson as the 2019 Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and revealed plans to…

Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

November 6, 2019

Dierks Bentley; Photo by Andrew Wendowski

The Country Music Association just Kris Kristofferson as the 2019 Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and revealed plans to honor him with an all-star tribute at the upcoming CMA Awards.

Country superstar Dierks Bentley will be joined by Sheryl Crow, Chris Janson and Brothers Osborne’s John Osborne to tribute Kristofferson with a performance of his iconic song “Me and Bobby McGee.”

For Janson, the chance to honor a living legend is a dream come true.

“Kris Kristofferson is one of my favorite artists of all time,” shares Janson. “I’m very humbled to be a part of an incredible tribute to a legend who has done so much for country music. I couldn’t imagine being part of anything cooler than this at the CMA awards.”

According to a press release, the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award is given to an artist who has “attained the highest degree of recognition in Country Music.” Previous recipients of the award include Willie Nelson (2012), Kenny Rogers (2013), Johnny Cash (2015), and Dolly Parton (2016).

“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.”

The 53rd Annual CMA Awards, hosted by superstar Carrie Underwood with special guest hosts Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton, will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 8/7c on ABC.

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.