What a classic throwback.
In 2019, a star-studded lineup of some of the biggest names in country music, like Chris Stapleton, Emmylou Harris, George Strait, Vince Gill and more, performed at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville for Willie: Life & Songs of an American Outlaw, A Willie Nelson All-Star Concert Celebration.
The event was full of incredible covers of some of Willie Nelson’s biggest hits, but one performance in particular still stands out, and that would be Willie teaming up with Eric Church and Kris Kristofferson to sing “Me and Bobby McGee.”
Written by Kris Kristofferson and Fred Foster, the song was first released by Roger Miller in 1969. It was made most famous, though, when it was released posthumously by Janis Joplin.
Her version hit #1 on the Billboard U.S. Singles chart in 1971, and Jerry Lee Lewis also released a version that went #1 on the country charts in 1971. Kris actually didn’t even know Janis had recorded a version of the song until he heard it after she passed away.
Aside from those two famous versions, though, Willie’s rendition has remained a longtime fan-favorite, and “Me and Bobby McGee” has been covered by tons of other country artists over the years too, including Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton and even Johnny Cash, just to name a few.
An all-time great country standard, Willie first included a studio version of the song on his 1979 23rd studio album Sings Kristofferson, which consisted only covers of Kris Kristofferson songs. The album peaked at #5 on the U.S. Country albums chart.
I mean, when can we get Willie, Kris and Eric on the stage again together, though? I need more of this in my life…
“Me and Bobby McGee”
