Reba McEntire Honors Kris Kristofferson with Heartfelt A Cappella Cover of “Me and Bobby McGee” at the ACM Awards

  • byJ.L.
  • November 10, 2025
  • 2 minute read
reba mcentire
0
Shares
0
0
0
0

Reba McEntire honored Kris Kristofferson by singing “Me and Bobby McGee” during the ACM Awards’ “In Memoriam” segment. (Photo Credits: ACM – Academy of Country Music / YouTube & Rich Polk/Penske Media via Getty Images)

Table of Contents

ACM Awards Host Reba McEntire Delivers Tender Tribute To The Late Kris Kristofferson

During one of the 60th ACM Awards‘ most emotional moments, host Reba McEntire took to the stage to honor her dear friend, Kris Kristofferson.

Kristofferson passed away on September 28, 2024, at the age of 88. After learning about his death, McEntire shared a sweet picture of them onstage together a few years prior.

She wrote:

“What a gentleman, kind soul, and a lover of words. I am so glad I got to meet him and be around him. One of my favorite people. Rest in peace, Kris.”

Kristofferson was a solo artist, an actor, a member of the Highwaymen, and a well-respected songwriter. He wrote tracks that many other artists made famous, including “Sunday Morning Coming Down” and “Me and Bobby McGee.”

Kristofferson shared writing credits on the latter track with Fred Foster. Roger Miller recorded it first and took it to the 12th spot on the Hot Country Singles chart.

However, Janis Joplin is responsible for recording the most recognizable rendition of “Me and Bobby McGee.” Her recording was released posthumously after she died in 1970. It reached the #1 spot on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Kristofferson also recorded “Me and Bobby McGee.” He often performed the song live, both solo and with the Highwaymen.

In 2016, McEntire sang “Me and Bobby McGee” to honor Kristofferson during a tribute show in Nashville. He joined her onstage partway through the song.

Reba Recognizes Members Of The Country Music Family Who Passed Away During “In Memoriam” Segment At The ACM Awards

As Reba McEntire prepared to honor Kris Kristofferson at the 60th ACM Awards, “Me and Bobby McGee” seemed the perfect song for her to pick. She made her performance extra emotional by singing a cappella and asking the crowd to join her

After finishing a piece of the song, a teary-eyed McEntire remembered Kristofferson and other members of the country music community we’ve lost in recent months:

“Tonight, we remember Kris and all those in our extended country music family who passed on this past year. And that list includes my buddy Joe Bonsall from the Oak Ridge Boys, the wonderful singer-songwriter Melba Montgomery, the highly respected musical producer Ben Vaughn, and Dolly Parton’s husband and love of 60 years, Carl Dean. They all brought music to our lives and live on forever in our hearts.”

Watch McEntire’s “In Memoriam” segment at the 2025 ACM Awards below, including her “Me and Bobby McGee” tribute to Kristofferson.

 

0 Shares:
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0

J.L. writes with authenticity and depth.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

— Previous article

Susan Boyle and Jai McDowall Ignite UK Tour Rehearsals with Electric Chemistry and New Songs

Next article —

Phil Collins picks up the sticks after 10 years and the crowd loses its mind, the comeback no one thought would happen… until it did!

You May Also Like
MMusic
Kendrick Lamar
Read More
  • 1 minute read

Kendrick Lamar noticed a pregnant security guard working tirelessly to manage the crowd

At the heart of every Kendrick Lamar performance is a raw, electric energy that moves crowds and breaks barriers. But at his sold-out Grand National Tour stop in Atlanta last night, it wasn’t just the music that left fans in awe—it was a quiet, life-changing moment that happened offstage. The moment began during the opening set, when Kendrick first noticed a security guard near the main aisle of the State Farm Arena. She was visibly pregnant—perhaps six or seven months along—but moved with the urgency and commitment of someone fully invested in keeping others safe. As fans flooded in, she stood on her feet for hours, calmly directing the crowds, handling rowdy concertgoers, and even helping an elderly fan find her seat without missing a beat. Kendrick saw it all. “He kept glancing over between songs,” one backstage crew member recalled. “You could see the wheels turning in his head. She had this quiet strength that just stood out.” “She Was Doing Two Jobs at Once” Throughout the night, the rapper known for his socially conscious lyrics and unshakable stage presence returned again and again to that part of the crowd. Between “DNA” and “Alright,” he paused to shout out “all the workers keeping this place together tonight,” but it was clear his focus was on her. “She was doing two jobs at once,” another tour staffer said. “Protecting a crowd of thousands and protecting the little life growing inside her. That’s power.” After his final encore—an explosive performance of his recent anthem “Not Like Us”—Kendrick exited the stage, still visibly affected by what he’d seen. Then, without telling the press or the crowd, he made a quiet request: “Bring her backstage. I want to talk to her.” The Backstage Moment That Changed Everything According to multiple sources, the pregnant security guard—identified only as Ayesha, 29—was hesitant at first, unsure if she had done something wrong. But when she stepped into Kendrick’s green room, she found the rapper seated calmly, waiting.…