Imagine having some of the biggest names in country music singing your song with you with so much love. That’s just a day at work for Kris Kristofferson, although you can tell he really appreciated the love he got from Martina McBride, Jewel, and Lady A when they sang “Me and Bobby McGee” together. At 78 years old at the time, Kris’s voice is as comfy as your favorite leather jacket. When he sings that hook, there’s a magical moment when all those big names of country applaud him like his fan club.
Jewel, Martina, and Lady A’s Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott then each took turns singing and harmonizing on those timeless melodies. The performance had the vibe of a victory lap for one of the all-time greats of country music. The energy you get in the room is like a bunch of old pals singing for the love of it. The Music Man also has to give it up for the band here, as they absolutely crush the groove and solos. After Kris died on September 28, 2024, many fans returned to this song to remember him by.
Kris and his friends’ performance on “Me and Bobby McGee” went uber viral, drawing 16.5 million views on YouTube. Viewers had to agree this was a great moment and added comments such as “For me this is one of the most beautiful unplugged moments of the great Kris Kristofferson. RIP” and “What a wonderful group of young people having fun singing and playing tunes from the greatest era of country music this nation has ever known. Thank you Kris Kristofferson for the countless hours of joyous entertainment.”
Another of Kris’s greatest performances came when he sang with none other than Johnny Cash on “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down.” You can really feel the respect between the two men, with The Man in Black opening with a comment on how much he loved the song that Kris wrote for him. Kris followed this up by saying, “this might be the proudest moment of his life.” Hearing those two legends singing in harmony together is just so sweet. Imagine being lucky enough to be in the room to see that in person.
Kris Kristofferson wrote “Me and Bobby McGee” based on a suggestion by Fred Foster. They share a writing credit on the tune. Californian singer Roger Miller was the first to record the song. The Music Man readers may recall that the most famous version of “Me and Bobby McGee” was recorded by Janis Joplin. Her posthumously released recording of the single hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971.