He’s a Country Music Hall of Famer, a Golden Gloves boxer, a Rhodes scholar, a college football player, an acclaimed actor, a military officer, a helicopter pilot, and Grammy winner.
And now Kris Kristofferson can add Vancouver Island MusicFest headliner to the list.
“The proclamations of labeling someone as an Icon or legend are clearly over used today in the music business,” said Doug Cox, VIMF artistic director. “But Kris Kristofferson wrote Me and Bobby McGhee; played in a band with Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings; and starred in a movie with Barbara Streisand, just to name three of his many accomplishments!
“He’s widely known as one of the nicest, most down-to-earth gentlemen (and scholar!) in the biz. He’s the real deal.
“I couldn’t feel more honoured to have someone like Kris Kristofferson come visit us at MusicFest this summer.”
Kristofferson released his latest album in January — the first in four years. Feeling Mortal is his first completely independent release on Kristofferson’s KK Records label and follows 2009’s Closer To The
Bone and the 2006 release This Old Road in examining hard-won grace.
From the beginning, Kristofferson’s songs have been reflections of where he was at that point in time.
Above all, Kristofferson always tries to be as honest in his songwriting, otherwise there’s no point in doing it.
“I might as well be doing an advertising job or something,” says Kristofferson. “What I’m finding, to my pleasant surprise at this age, is that I’m more inclined to laughter than tears.”
Kristofferson is happy to be happy, grateful to be grateful, unwilling to take the credit for the wondrous way it’s all worked out, and excited to be on MusicFest’s roster this year.
The Vancouver Island MusicFest 2013 takes place July 12 to 14 at the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds.
For tickets, artist announcements and festival information, go to www.islandmusicfest.com.
— Vancouver Island MusicFest
