NSAI Presents Inaugural Kris Kristofferson Award To Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson pictured at the Bluebird Cafe on Jan. 27.

Legendary songwriter Kris Kristofferson presented the inaugural Kris Kristofferson Award to colleague and fellow musical icon Willie Nelson Sunday night (Jan. 27) in a private ceremony at the Bluebird Café. The NSAI Board of Directors created the award which will be bestowed at the board’s discretion to songwriters and artists of all genres. It is given in recognition of a lifetime of achievement to music creators whose songs have inspired generations and touched listeners worldwide.

Songwriter members of NSAI’s Board and lifelong friends and colleagues of Kristofferson and Nelson attended the Sunday night presentation.

Kristofferson is one of NSAI’s founding members. “Kris Kristofferson inspired me and countless others to become songwriters,” said NSAI President Lee Thomas Miller. “He is the standard of greatness to which we all aspire.” Kristofferson is a three-time recipient of both NSAI’s Song of the Year and Songwriter of the Year awards, for “For The Good Times” (1970), “Sunday Morning Coming Down” (1971) and “Why Me Lord” (1973).

Like Kristofferson, Nelson is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. An actor, author, activist and philanthropist, he is an inductee of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry, and a Kennedy Center Honoree who has won multiple Grammy Awards and countless other accolades. “Just think of his songs,” added Miller, “‘Crazy,’ ‘Funny How Time Slips Away,’ ‘Hello Walls,’ ‘Night Life,’ ‘Good Hearted Woman,’ ‘Time of the Preacher,’ ‘Yesterday’s Wine,’ and ‘On the Road Again.’ Willie has moved the hearts and souls of generations of fans through his music. He is truly an American treasure.”

See a video of the presentation here.

Photos courtesy of NSAI

Lee Miller watches Nelson and Kristofferson.