Ashley McBryde paid a touching tribute to the late Kris Kristofferson at the 2024 CMA Awards on Wednesday evening.
Kristofferson died at the age of 88 at his home in Maui, Hawaii on September 28.
Kristofferson is known for his many contributions to country music and his acting roles in films like the “Blade” trilogy, as well as the 1976 version of “A Star Is Born,” which earned him a Golden Globe. He starred alongside Barbra Streisand in the film.
Ashley McBryde paid a moving tribute to the late Kris Kristofferson at the 2024 CMA Awards. (Getty Images)
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In addition to releasing music as a solo artist throughout his career, Kristofferson teamed up with Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash in the 1980s to form the Highwaymen.
McBryde performed “Help Me Make It Through the Night” at the 2024 CMA Awards.
The song was originally recorded by Kristofferson for his debut album in 1970 and has been recorded by a number of artists, including Sammi Smith, Elvis Presley and Loretta Lynn.
Kristofferson, an accomplished singer-songwriter and actor, died on September 28, 2024. (By Ole Hagen/Redferns)
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McBryde performed an acoustic version of the song while footage of Kristofferson appeared on an accompanying screen.
Details of McBryde’s tribute performance were kept under wraps ahead of the CMA Awards.
“I’m honoring Kris Kristofferson tonight,” McBryde told Billboard on the red carpet before the show. “Just me and a guitar.
“My dad taught me how to play ‘Help Me Make It Through the Night’ when I was too little to hold a guitar properly on my own, so it’s come full circle tonight. And I hope dad gets in on the act ‘listen to see his little girl play.’
As McBryde played, a photo slideshow featuring snapshots of Kristofferson’s life appeared next to her. (Disney/Frank Micelotta)
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Country music legend Toby Keith was also honored at the 2024 CMA Awards. The “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” singer died on February 5 after a battle with stomach cancer.
During the show, hosts Luke Bryan, Lainey Wilson and Peyton Manning toasted with red Solo Cups dedicated to the late country star, a reference to his 2011 single.
“We want to take a moment to toast the great Toby Keith,” Bryan said. “A great artist, a great American and a great country music icon. Toby, we’re going to miss you, buddy.”
Dierks Bentley was part of the Tom Petty tribute performance at the 2024 CMA Awards. (Théo Wargo/Getty Images)
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Fans expressed mixed reactions to the tribute on social media, with many sharing feelings of dissatisfaction with the brief moment paid to Keith.
A tribute to the late Tom Petty was also part of the 2024 CMA Awards.
Petty died on October 2, 2017, at the age of 66, from an accidental drug overdose.
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During the show, Dierks Bentley was joined on stage by Molly Tuttle, Sierra Hull and Bronwyn Keith-Hynes for a rendition of Petty’s hit “American Girl.”
