Actor, Singer, Songwriter, Kris is extremely talented. He was born in Texas
and raised in a military family. He was a Golden Gloves boxer who studied
creative writing at Pomona College in California, earning a Rhodes
scholarship to study literature at Oxford, where he boxed, played rugby and
continued to write songs. After graduating, he served in the army.
Kris served in the U.S. Army from 1960-1965, and attained the rank of Captain. He became a helicopter pilot after receiving flight training at Fort Rucker, Alabama. He also completed Ranger School. During the early 1960s, he was stationed in West Germany as a member of the 8th Infantry Division. During this time, he resumed his music career and formed a band. In 1965, when his tour of duty ended, he was given an opportunity to teach English literature at West Point. Instead, he decided to leave the Army and pursue songwriting. Kris has often said he is proud of his time in the military, and received the "Veteran of the Year" award in 2003.
Kris achieved remarkable success as a country songwriter at the start of the
1970s. His songs Me and Bobby McGee, Help Me Make It Through the Night,
Sunday Morning Coming Down, and For the Good Times, all chart-topping
hits, helped redefine country songwriting. By 1987, it was estimated that
more than 450 artists had recorded his compositions.
Aside from the numerous films that Kris has starred in, the Reel Cowboys are honored
him in 2017 for his contributions to western films, such as: Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (1973), Stagecoach (1986), The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James (1986), Lone Star (1996), Two for
Texas (1998), Dead Man's Gun (TV Series), Lawless Range (2016), and his latest movie, Hickok (2017).
Because of space constraints, we are unable to list all of this marvelous man's
accomplishments. As he continues to bring so much joy to the world with his wonderful talents, the Reel Cowboys were deeply honored to have him at the 2017 Silver Spur Award Show. |
