Kris Kristofferson Honored With Tribute at 2019 CMA Awards

Kris Kristofferson received the CMA's Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award during the 2019 CMA Awards on Wednesday night (Nov. 13). The singer-songwriter icon wasn't at the event in person -- he had a show in Davenport, Iowa -- but was honored with an all-star tribute from Dierks Bentley, Sheryl Crow, Chris Janson, John Osborne of Brothers Osborne and Eagles member Joe Walsh.

Performing Kristofferson's hit "Me and Bobby McGee," Bentley and Crow took lead on the song's iconic lyrics, which were written by Kristofferson and most famously covered by Janis Joplin, earning the singer a posthumous No. 1 hit in 1971. Osborne took the stage for his second performance of the CMAs, playing electric guitar alongside Walsh before turning it over to Janson for a lively harmonica solo. The performers were all smiles on stage, paying tribute to a country legend and having tons of fun doing it.

Kristofferson is a Country Music Hall of Fame member and eight-time CMA Awards winner. He is the fifth recipient of the CMA's Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, which is presented to "an iconic artist who has attained the highest degree of recognition in country music," in recognition of "both national and international prominence through performances, humanitarian efforts, philanthropy, record sales and public representation at the highest level."

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