Kris Kristofferson has always identified himself first and foremost as a writer, and true writers know that what works best is giving a piece of themselves to the listener. Kristofferson's story is fairly well known: he had a dream -- along with the necessary talent and ambition -- to become a songwriter. After turning down a teaching position at West Point, the Rhodes Scholar hoped to get his foot in the door of the music business by taking a job as a janitor at Columbia Records. It wasn't long after arriving in Nashville that he was receiving widespread acclaim and being hailed as one of America's honest and most important voices, having penned such classics as "Me and Bobby McGee," "Sunday Morning Coming Down," "For the Good Times" and many others.
Kristofferson's plainspoken, honest lyrics and emotional themes helped to usher in a new Nashville sound and to this day, approximately 500 artists from all genres have covered Kristofferson-penned songs. A true visionary on all fronts, he was the first country star to make a giant leap into films. Kristofferson is an established pro-peace, pro-civil rights, pro-social activist.
Singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash, daughter of Johnny, will present the award to Kristofferson. "I jumped at the chance to present this award to Kris," says Cash. "I love Kris fiercely, not just because he and my father are cut from the same spiritual cloth, and because he is the living artistic link to my dad, but because he is my ideal as a songwriter and a human being. He and my dad were closer than brothers. They loved each other dearly, and it is so fitting that he receive this award named after dad. It's my honor to present it to him."
CMT honored country music icon and king of the common man Hank Williams Jr. with the Johnny Cash Visionary Award, presented to him at the 2006 CMT Music Awards. Williams' raw creativity and passion have shaped the history of country music for over five decades. The five-time entertainer of the year will release his 70th album this year, boasts three multi-platinum albums, eight platinum albums and has sold more than 50 million albums worldwide. Williams holds the distinction of being the first country artist to ever win an Emmy, a feat he repeated 1990 through 1993 for his Monday Night Football anthem, "Are You Ready for Some Football?"
In 2005, the legendary Lynn received the Johnny Cash Visionary Award for her amazing career which includes her most recent critically acclaimed album, Van Lear Rose, produced by Jack White. The award was presented by newcomer Gretchen Wilson, Martina McBride and 2004 honoree Reba McEntire, along with a special tribute video sharing her career highlights and comments from many of country's biggest stars.
In 2004, McEntire was the recipient of the permanently renamed award in honor of Johnny Cash. Presented by Brooks & Dunn, McEntire was honored with a poignant tribute featuring heartfelt sentiments from some of her friends and colleagues including Lily Tomlin, Martina McBride, Vince Gill, Kelly Clarkson, Melissa Peterman (Reba) and Christopher Rich (Reba).
In 2003, CMT honored the incomparable Cash for his immeasurable achievements and musical vision. Vince Gill hosted the moving tribute and presented the award to Country Music Hall of Fame member June Carter Cash, accepting on behalf of her husband who was unable to attend. Cash's masterfully powerful and artistic music video, "Hurt," was a cornerstone in CMT's tribute which featured Bono, Hank Williams Jr. and Rosanne Cash.
In 2002, CMT awarded the first ever Video Visionary Award to the Dixie Chicks, known for their solid musical talent as well as their music video originality and creativity. Innovators on multiple fronts, the Dixie Chicks launched a whole new wave of popularity for the genre and broadened country music into new and untapped audiences.
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