Timeline

1936
Jun 22

Born in Brownsville, TX

Kris Kristofferson as a child

Kris Kristofferson is born in Brownsville, Texas, two miles from the Mexican border. Early in life, he learns to sing in Spanish.

1954
Jan 01

Published in Atlantic Monthly

At the age of 18, two of Kris’s compositions, “Gone Are the Days,” and “The Rock,” are published in Atlantic Monthly after the budding writer wins a short story contest.

1958
Mar 31

Appears in Sports Illustrated

Appears in Sports Illustrated for achievements in rugby, football, and track & field.

1970
Apr 01

Releases Debut Album

“Kristofferson,” Kris’s debut album is released on Monument records in April of 1970. The album features iconic hits “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Help Me Make It Through The Night,” “For The Good Times,” and “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down.”

Oct 10

“Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down” Goes #1

Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson

Johnny Cash takes Kris’s song “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down” to No. 1 on the Billboard Country Chart.

Oct 14

Song of the Year

“Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down” wins Song of the Year honors at the Country Music Awards.

Nov 28

Ray Price Releases “For The Good Times”

Ray Price releases his album “For The Good Times,” which peaks at No. 1 on Billboard Country Album charts.  The title track, written by Kris, is a signature song for Price.

1971
Feb 13

“Help Me Make It Through The Night” Goes #1

Sammi Smith soars to No. 1 on the country charts with her interpretation of Kris’s “Help Me Make It Through The Night.” The single won the GRAMMY for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female.

Mar 20

“Me and Bobby McGee” Goes #1

Posthumously, Kris’s close friend Janis Joplin peaks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with Kris’s “Me and Bobby McGee.”

1972
Jan 14

Stars in “Cisco Pike”

Kris stars in his first film, “Cisco Pike,” which also features Gene Hackman and Harry Dean Stanton.

Mar 14

Wins GRAMMY Award for Best Country Song

Three of Kris’s songs are nominated nominated in the Best Country Song category at the GRAMMYs: “Help Me Make It Through The Night,” “For The Good Times,” and “Me and Bobby McGee.”  “Help Me Make It Through The Night” wins the GRAMMY. “Me and Bobby McGee” is also nominated in the all genre Song of the Year category.

1973
May 23

Stars as “Billy the Kid”

Kris plays Billy the Kid in “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid,” directed by Sam Peckinpah and featuring Bob Dylan.

Jul 07

“Why Me Lord” Goes #1

Kris’ “Why Me Lord” peaks at No. 1

Oct 15

Nominated for CMA Single and Song of the Year

“Why Me Lord” is nominated for Single and Song of the Year at the Country Music Awards

Nov 03

#1 on Billboard Country Chart

#1 on Billboard Country Chart

“Jesus Was A Capricorn” is the No. 1 Country Album on the Billboard chart.

1974
Mar 02

Nominated for Two GRAMMY Awards

“Why Me Lord” is nominated for two GRAMMY Awards: Best Country Vocal Performance, Male, and Best Country Song

Mar 25

Nominated for ACM Song of the Year

“One Day At A Time” is nominated for Song Of The Year at Academy of Country Music Awards.

1976
Sep 09

Stars in “A Star Is Born”

A Star Is Born

The iconic film “A Star Is Born,” starring Kris and Barbra Streisand, is released.

1978
Jun 28

Stars in “Convoy”

Kris stars in the cult trucker film “Convoy.”

1980
Jun 21

Cristy Lane’s “One Day At A Time” Goes #1

“One Day At A Time,” co-written by Kris, becomes a No. 1 song for Cristy Lane.

1984
Oct 14

Stars in “Songwriter”

“Songwriter,” a film starring Kris and Willie Nelson is released. The film goes on to receive an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song Score and Adaptation Score for Kristofferson.

1985
Jan 01

The Highwaymen Debut

Debut of the supergroup The Highwaymen, featuring Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Kris.

Aug 17

“Highwayman” Goes #1

“Highwayman” by The Highwaymen peaks at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Chart.  It ends up at No. 5 overall for the year of 1985.

Oct 14

Hosts Country Music Awards

Kris hosts the CMA Awards with Anne Murray at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. The Highwaymen are nominated for Music Video and Single of the Year for “Highwayman.”

1986
Feb 25

“Highwayman” Nominated for GRAMMY Award

“Highwayman” (the single) is nominated for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group at the GRAMMYs.

Apr 14

Single Record of the Year Award at the ACMs

The Highwaymen receive the Single Record of the Year Award at the ACMs. They are also nominated for Album and Music Video of the Year.

Oct 01

Releases “Repossessed”

Kris releases “Repossessed.” The album is produced by Chips Moman.

1988
Jul 22

Featured in “Big Top Pee-Wee”

Kris is featured in the film “Big Top Pee-Wee.”

1990
Mar 06

Releases “Third World Warrior” Album

Kris releases “Third World Warrior,” which contains several political songs which make him persona non grata in Nashville.

1991
Feb 20

Nominated for Best Country Vocal Collaboration

The Highwaymen’s “Highwayman 2” album is nominated for Best Country Vocal Collaboration at the 33rd Annual Grammy Awards in NYC.

1995
Aug 15

Releases “A Moment of Forever” Album

Kris releases the album “A Moment of Forever,” produced by Don Was.

1996
Jun 21

Stars in “Lone Star”

Kris Kristofferson in Lone Star

Kris and Matthew McConaughey star in John Sayles’s “Lone Star.”

1998
Aug 21

Stars in “Blade”

Kris, as Whistler, stars with Wesley Snipes in “Blade.”

2002
Mar 22

Stars in “Blade II”

Kris revives his role as Whistler in “Blade II,” co-starring with Wesley Snipes.

2003
Sep 19

Receives Spirit of Americana Free Speech Award

The Americana Honors & Awards honors Kris with the Spirit of Americana Free Speech Award.

2004
Jun 22

Inducted into Country Music Hall of Fame

Kris Kristofferson is inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame

Dec 08

Stars in “Blade III”

Kris revives his role as Whistler, for the third and final time, in Wesley Snipes’s “Blade III.”

2006
Mar 07

Releases “This Old Road” Album

New West Records releases “This Old Road,” Kris’s first album of new material in 11 years. Produced by Don Was.

May 23

Receives Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award

Kris receives the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award at the ACM Awards

2009
Feb 06

Appears in “He’s Just Not That Into You”

Kris plays Jennifer Anniston’s father in the film “He’s Just Not That Into You.”

Sep 29

Releases “Closer to the Bone” Album

New West Records releases “Closer to the Bone,” an album produced by Don Was.

Nov 10

Receives BMI Icon Award

BMI honors Kris with the prestigious BMI Icon Award.

2011
Sep 23

Stars in “A Dolphin’s Tale”

Kris stars in the children’s classic “A Dolphin Tale,” with Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd and Harry Connick Jr.

2013
Jan 29

Releases “Feeling Mortal”

Kris releases “Feeling Mortal,” the first album on his own KK Records label.

2014
Sep 08

Receives ACM Poet’s Award

The Academy of Country Music gives Kris it’s coveted Poet’s Award at the ACM Honors.

2015
Feb 08

Receives GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award

Kris receives a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 57th Annual GRAMMYs

May 25

Appears in “Texas Rising”

Kris plays President Andrew Jackson in “Texas Rising,” a 10-hour miniseries about the Texas Rangers.

2017
Feb 12

Nominated for Best Americana Album

Cedar Creek Sessions

Kris’s album “The Cedar Creek Sessions” is nominated for Best Americana Album at the GRAMMYs.

2019
Nov 13

CMA Lifetime Achievement Award

The CMA honors Kris with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.

 

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