Real Texan Kris Kristopherson
Kris Kristopherson is a Real Texas original He was born in Brownsville, Texas in June of 1936. He grew up an Army brat and his family moved around quite abit. His dad later rose to the rank of Major General in the Air Force. He graduated from San Mateo, California High School and he was a good athlete excelling in football, Rugby, and track.
He was a Rhodes scholar and also excelled in boxing while at Oxford. It was at Oxford where he began writing songs. He graduated with a Bachelor in Philosophy and English Literature. He wanted to become the Great American Novelist. He later joined the U.S. Army and was a helicopter pilot. He gained the rank of Captain. After a tour of duty in West Germany, he was offered a position of English professor at West Point, but he wanted to become a songwriter.
He struggled with medical bills as he had a son with a defective esophagus and he and his wife, Fran Beer, divorced. He swept floors at Columbia and it was there he met Johnny Cash, but Johnny didn’t use his songs at first. Kris also worked as a commercial helicopter pilot ferrying workers and supplies to the oil rigs off he Louisiana coast. He wrote “Me and Bobby McGee” while on an offshore rig. Kris finally got Johnny Cash’s attention when he landed his helicopter in Cash’s yard and gave him some tapes.
He has been married three times and has eight children. He is a singer/songwriter/actor and Real Texan. He is a recovering alcoholic.
Why Me Lord?
He was married to Rita Coolidge at one time. Here they are together…
Loving Her Was Easier with the Highwaymen….
Sunday Morning Coming Down….
And here is Kris with Nora Jones singing Johnny Cash…
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The music this Friday was a real treat. I got to meet Kris a few years ago. I told him he was the last of the great poets.
Your article and music gave me a renewed appreciation for KK. On this Tuesday morn I was hurriedly reading email…was going to quickly listen to parts of your tunes. I ended up listening to all, all the way through! Very soothing to the soul…brought back memories of more youthful times. Thanks, David.