Reba McEntire take the stage and deliver a breathtaking rendition of “Me and Bobby McGee” at the Kris Kristofferson Tribute Show! Her voice soared, wrapping the audience in a wave of nostalgia and emotion, making the performance an unforgettable homage to a legendary songwriter.

In 2016 a tribute concert called “The Life & Songs of Kris Kristofferson” was held in Nashville to honor Kris Kristofferson’s colorful legacy and line of work. Eric Church, Willie Nelson, Emmy Lou Harris, and Rosanne Cash were just a few of the artists playing that night. That being so, all performances were phenomenal. However, Reba McEntire’s performance of “Me and Bobby McGee” became one of the more notable performances of that night.

Kristofferson and McEntire’s relationship goes far back, and it shows as Reba took to Instagram to pay tribute to the artist following his death on September 28. Reba wrote, “What a gentleman, kind soul, and a lover of words” and “Rest in peace, Kris.” Given their history, Reba’s performance at the tribute concert aimed to honor her longtime friend and musical counterpart.

Kris Kristofferson’s “Me and Bobby McGee”

Reba’s selection to perform Kristofferson’s hit song wasn’t random. Instead, Reba’s motives were incredibly deliberate and sharp. She said on CMT, “It’s been a favorite of mine for many, many years” and “It’s just a gypsy song, and I’ve just always really thought myself a gypsy.” Furthermore, she closed out her statement by simply saying, “I love that song.”

It seems both Kristofferson and the fans in the audience did as well, given that Reba’s performance was a complete transformation of the song. Kristofferson’s version was slow and cerebral, and Reba’s was fast-paced, heart-nosed, and aggressively encompassed both rock ‘n’ roll and country. Despite completely changing the song, Reba still paid tribute to the late Kristofferson with her passionate performance and kind words.

Reba and Kristofferson’s Duet

In addition to Reba’s major changes, she also made it into a duet. Of course, the duet was with Kristofferson, but by doing so she seemingly got his stamp of approval and gave fans exactly what they wanted. Even if you’re a Kristofferson pursuit and hate re-imagined versions of his songs, you can’t help but see the fun of this cover.

Lastly and given his recent passing, it’s quite heartwarming to see how highly regarded Kris Kristofferson was in country music through his tribute show. Furthermore, to see him with Reba reminds fans of his jubilant and contagiously fun personality. In light of this dismal music news, this video will surely lift one’s spirits amid the tragic passing of Kris Kristofferson.

Photo by John Salangsang/Shutterstock