The country music world lost a titan with the passing of Kris Kristofferson last year. But fans can be proud to know that the great man’s legacy is being kept alive by the next generation. This was seen when Ashley McBryde paid tribute to Kris with a heartfelt rendition of “Help Me Make It Through the Night” at the CMA Awards. Fans had to agree that Ashley did Kris proud. Viewers were also touched to see Kris’s widow, Lisa Meyers, looking on, misty-eyed but with a look of pride, as Ashley played her husband’s song.
“Help Me Make It Through The Night” is one of the biggest country songs of all time, so it was a natural fit for the tribute. Ashley performed an intimate and vulnerable rendition of the classic ballad in a solo acoustic format. This was just right to show off her expressive voice, as well as Kris’s incredible songwriting. The Music Man has to say that with performances like this, Kris’s music will never die.
Ashley performed “Help Me Make It Through the Night” at the 58th Annual Country Music Association Awards. One top comment said they teared up watching, while other viewers added comments such as “Ashley did that song justice. Sung very beautifully. Kris would be so proud. RIP Legend!” and “When you make Kris’ widow smile and cry at the same time, you know you nailed it!”
Kris has given many memorable performances of “Help Me Make It Through the Night” over the years. One of the most popular is his take on the song with Nashville hitmakers Lady A. Many fans returned to the video after Kris’s passing to hear that smoky voice one more time. Kris is in fine company here, with the Lady A vocal duo Hillary Scott and Charles Kelley delivering plenty of smoldering lines throughout. You can see Charles looking over at Kris at 1:30, not believing he’s up there onstage with his hero.
Kris released “Help Me Make It Through the Night” in June 1970 as the fifth track on his debut album Kristofferson, having written the song solo. Sammi Smith subsequently covered the song for release on her debut album, which was titled after the song. Sammi’s version topped the US Country chart and won a Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal. The Music Man readers may recall that her version became one of the biggest country songs of all time due to its sales and radio airplay. The ballad has since been performed by many big names such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Joan Baez, Michael Bublé, and many more.