Kris Kristofferson quietly announced his retirement on Wednesday through a clause buried in a press release detailing the future management of the composer’s estate. “Also, after his father’s retirement in 2020,” he said, “John, Kristofferson’s son, steps in to oversee all of the family’s business.” Kristofferson’s spokesman confirmed the retirement of the Country Music Hall of Fame member of the tours, recordings and acting for Rolling Stone.
Although few artists of Kristofferson’s caliber have worked publicly since the pandemic spread in early 2020, the country music poet remained busy until February last year, touring solo and with members of Merle Haggard’s band, the Strangers. Kristofferson gave his last full show on January 30th aboard the fifth annual Outlaw Country Cruise, a performance attended by Rolling Stone.
Along with ubiquitous classics such as “Help me survive the night”, “Me and Bobby McGee” and “Sunday morning ‘Comin’ Down”, Kristofferson, then 83, combed through various periods of his catalog. He offered an austere reading of “Darby’s Castle” from his 1970 debut LP, took stock of his existence on the 2013 title track Feeling Mortal, and played the 1971 self-referential “The Pilgrim Chapter 33” (“He’s a walking contradiction, part truth and part fiction“). Kristofferson ended the show, held at the Norwegian Pearl’s packed theater, Stardust, with “Please don’t tell me how the story ends”.
Kristofferson was also the focus of a tribute concert to all of the writer’s stars he influenced, including Lucinda Williams, Shooter Jennings and Steve Earle, culminating in a “Why Me” singing with Kristofferson. (Listen to the program on SiriusXM.)
News of Kristofferson’s official retirement comes with the announcement that Morris Higham Management will represent Kris Kristofferson’s estate. According to the launch, a series of “special projects” will help mark Kristofferson’s 85th birthday in June.