A Conversation With Kris Kristofferson – HuffPost 6.20.12
Mike Ragogna: Kris, how are you?
Kris Kristofferson: Doing well, Mike.
MR: Pretty good, man. You’re performing in conjunction with the United Farm Workers’ 50th Anniversary.
KK: Well, one of the concerts was cancelled in the series, I guess the economy is hurting ticket sales for everybody. But I’ve been working with the United Farm Workers for over 30 years, since Cesar Chavez asked me to do it. I identify with them because I grew up down in Brownsville, Texas. They even say I spoke Spanish before I spoke English because Brownsville was right across the water from Matamoros. When the United Farm Workers asked me to work with them, I was delighted. And I liked and admired them and Cesar Chavez so much that I kept doing it.
MR: Great. For these concerts, you’ll be performing with groups like Los Lobos?
KK: Yeah, that’s right. I’ve known those guys for a while and I love their music, I love Mexican music.
MR: Will you be playing your classics at these concerts?
KK: Oh, yeah. I wouldn’t still be singing if it weren’t for my good songs, you know? It’s not my voice that’s bringing people in. (laughs)
MR: (laughs) That’s great. Let’s talk a bit about some of those classic songs, like how about the story behind “Me and Bobby McGee”?
KK: Well, that’s probably my signature song. Janis Joplin cut it before I knew she was going to. In fact, I saw that she did the song in Nashville before I even knew her. Bobby Nuewirth taught it to her.
MR: “Help Me Make It Through The Night”?
KK: That’s probably one of my best-known songs besides “For The Good Times,” or “Sunday Morning Coming Down.” Fortunately for me, people with really good voices sang those songs. Johnny Cash made “Sunday Morning Coming Down” a hit record, and Ray Price did “For The Good Times.” Sammi Smith was the one who did help me make it through the night.
MR: Right, nice. It’s cool that you bring up Johnny Cash, because he was the one who helped you get your start, right?
KK: Johnny and I met when I was a janitor at Columbia Records. I gave him every song that I was writing back in those days. He never cut any of them but he always encouraged me. Eventually, he did wind up cutting, “Sunday Morning.”
MR: He was also the one who introduced you as your own artist.
KK: Yes. He put me on stage at the Newport Folk Festival and I had never performed in front of an audience. I mean, I sang at his house when he would have songwriters over and we’d all sit in a circle and play. Anyway, the performance went over well and from then on, I had a recording career.
MR: Many of your early years were spent at Monument Records. Can you tell us about your time there?
KK: I just feel really blessed, because I’d still be doing this whether or not I could make money at it. I’m just glad I had the courage to do what I believed in. It took a long time for anyone to take notice of me and for me to be able to do what I do.
MR: Now, I consider “Why Me?” as one of your signature songs. Do you?
KK: Oh, yeah. That song was probably the biggest surprise hit to me, as the artist performing it. I love that song.
MR: You’ve also had an awesome acting career, with roles in the Blade movies and this year’s Joyful Noise.
KK: Yeah, that’s right. For some reason, I got the opportunity to do that right around the time that I played my first gig at The Troubadour in Los Angeles. A lot of movie people showed up and all of a sudden, I went from never having performed for money to doing movies and playing music all over.
MR: And, of course, there’s what I imagine is your most popular film, A Star Is Born with Barbra Streisand.
KK: That’s right. I’ve done a couple of movies with her, but that one was really a huge opportunity.
MR: Let’s talk for a second about your work with Jimmy Webb and the success of “The Highwayman,” which you’re on with Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings.
KK: That’s yet another situation where I have to pinch myself to realize that I actually had that opportunity. These guys who were my heroes turned out to be my really close friends. We got to work together over two or three years all over the world. It was incredible.
MR: Kris, I’ve wanted to tell you this for some time, but one of the most touching things I’ve ever seen is when Sinead O’Connor was being booed off the stage at the Dylan tribute and you ran out to the stage and had her back. Can you tell us about that event?
KK: Oh, boy. I mean, it was just heartbreaking to see it happen. You would think that an audience that came there out of respect for Mr. Bob Dylan would have respect for the other artists as well. That was a sad moment.
MR: In situations like that, I tend to follow your advice of that night: “Don’t let the bastards get you down.” Right? (laughs)
KK: Absolutely. (laughs) That’s what I said to her.
MR: Do you still not let the “bastards got you down” until this day?
KK: That’s right. Otherwise, I don’t think I’d still be out there working, you know? (laughs) It’s not because of the beauty of my voice that I’m still doing this. (laughs)
MR: Nah, you’re just self-deprecating about your voice. Why is that? (laughs)
KK: It’s probably because I have friends who are such great singers like Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson. To me, those are great singers.
MR: Very true, but like them, you have a sound.
KK: Well, thank you very much. From your lips to God’s ears. (laughs)
MR: (laughs) Kris, do you have any advice that you can share with artists pursuing a career in this business?
KK: Well, I would have to say just be yourself and be as honest as you can. If what you’re doing is what you love, you can’t go wrong. If you’re in it for the wrong reasons-money and fame-you might still get it, but odds are, there are still going to be some really tough moments. You have to believe in yourself and love what you’re doing, whether or not other people do. A painter has to do the same thing. That’s the way I’ve lived my life, and it’s been worth it.
MR: It sure has, you’re Kris Kristofferson. (laughs)
KK: (laughs) Well, I’ll probably be doing this until they throw dirt on me.
MR: Any projects coming up soon besides the United Farm Workers shows?
KK: Yeah, I have an album that should be coming out pretty quick here. Keep an eye on my website for more details.
MR: Great, and we have to have you back for that. Kris, thanks so much for being here with us today. It’s been a pleasure.
KK: Thank you for having me, Mike.
Transcribed by Evan Martin