Kris Kristofferson comes to Castlebar
Michael Commins
Country legend Kris Kristofferson is playing a series of concerts in Ireland next month – and his first is set for the Royal Theatre in Castlebar. His visit to these shores is part an international tour to promote his latest album, ‘Closer to the bone’, an intimate collection of songs marked by an earthy simplicity.
Born in Texas in June, 1936, Kristofferson is now 74 years old – hard to believe. His songs continue to charm audiences across the generations and he has a loyal and dedicated following that has not waned with the passing of time. Indeed his previous album, ‘This Old Road’ – Kristofferson’s first recording in almost a dozen years – was applauded by critics as “one of the finest albums of his storied career” (Rolling Stone), “a stripped-down stunner” (Esquire), and “a return to his best work.” ‘Closer to the Bone’ is in the same vein.
Before making it big, Kristofferson worked as a commercial helicopter pilot in South Louisiana. His big break came many years ago when he was introduced by Johnny Cash at the Newport Folk Festival. The two singers became great friends after Kristofferson famously landed his helicopter on Johnny Cash’s lawn to present him with a cassette of some of his songs – a cassette that included the song ‘Sunday Morning Coming Down’. Years later the Kristofferson and Cash joined forces with Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings to tour the world as The Highwaymen. Other songs that helped catapult Kristofferson to the top of the songwriting league included such greats as ‘Me and Bobby McGee’, ‘Help Me Make It Through the Night’, ‘Why Me Lord’, ‘For The Good Times’, and ‘Lovin’ Her Was Easier Than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again’. He has also played prominent roles in several movies over the years, including ‘Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore’, ‘Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid’, ‘A Star Is Born’ and, with Johnny Cash, ‘The Last days of Frank and Jesse James’.
In the last decade, the Kristofferson has undertaken a vigorous schedule of international solo appearances – a trend that began here Ireland. “I was overseas doing a film when I got the opportunity to work in Ireland, and I didn’t have time to martial the troops. So I went out by myself, and it worked. I’ve been really surprised at selling out the shows everywhere. People are filling up the houses,” says the modest Texan.
Kris Kristofferson will perform in concert at the Royal Theatre in Castlebar on Thursday night, August 5.
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