Kris Kristofferson Wins Johnny Cash Visionary Award

It was announced today that Kris Kristofferson, the singer, songwriter and actor, will be this year's recipient of the prestigious Johnny Cash Visionary Award. The Cash Visionary Award is given annually by cable network Country Music Television.

Texas-born Kristofferson is best known to some for his acting career, during which he was featured in a string of hit movies including "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" and "A Star Is Born." However, the screen star is known in country music circles as a respected songsmith.

Kristofferson told reporters that the award had a very personal meaning for him, saying that "John was my hero before he was my friend, and anything with his name on it is really an honor in my eyes."

Early support from Johnny Cash helped propel Kristofferson to a career in the recording industry. Cash jump-started Kristofferson's career by helping the young singer songwriter land a gig playing at the prestigious Newport Folk Festival in 1969.

Among the best known works in Kristofferson's catalogues are the songs "Me And Bobby McGee" and "Help Me Make It Through The Night." Songs written by Kristofferson have been recorded by a wide range of rock and country artists like Jerry Lee Lewis, Willie Nelson, Janis Joplin, and Cash.

Kristofferson has often followed the folk tradition of using music as a format for social and political commentary. His very first song to land in a recording studio was 1966's "Vietnam Blues," a critical look at protests against the Vietnam war from the perspective of a soldier. As his career moved forward, Kristofferson's political views moved farther left, and he often wrote lyrics that examined flawed U.S. Foreign policy in areas including Central America and Iraq.

When asking about the changes in his political views over the course of his life, former Vietnam helicopter pilot Kristofferson has said "As I got further from the Army and became exposed to more avenues of information, I got more and more concerned about what my government was doing."