The
praise culminated with a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album
at the 2005 Grammy Awards. At the Grammy after-party, between champagne
toasts, ARP Vice President Tom Frouge and I began talking about our new
dilemma. How in the world would we find a project for our New
Great American Songbook Series to follow the now Grammy-winning
Beautiful Dreamer: The Songs of Stephen Foster? While I think we were
both daunted at the task that lay before us, Tom pointed out the
obvious. We actually have a relationship with a significant American
songwriter.
As most of you know, I have been working with Kris Kristofferson as his publicist
for several years. There is no doubt he is one of America’s most
exceptional and important songwriters. I said to Tom: “If we can get
the family (Willie Nelson, Rosanne Cash, Jessi Colter, Shooter
Jennings) and then work from there, man, we could make a fantastic
album.” Tom agreed. Thus, The Pilgrim: A Celebration of
Kris Kristofferson became our pet project for the remainder of 2005 and
early 2006.
But the story starts earlier. Al Bunetta of Oh Boy Records
hired me to work Kris’s Broken Freedom Song: Live From San Francisco
album in June, 2003. I was so excited I called my sweetie Paul who was
working in Europe. “Al Bunetta just hired me to work the new Kris
Kristofferson record,” I said. Long pause. “Kris
Kristofferson?” Paul asked. “Isn’t he the guy from (Wesley Snipes
movie) Blade? My Paul is not exactly hip to country music. “Well,” I
said, “That’s not the first thing I think about when I hear the name
Kristofferson, but yes, I think he was in that movie.”
In retrospect,
that conversation with Paul may have been the seed for this
record. It got me to thinking that although I always thought of
Kristofferson first and foremost as a songwriter, there are likely
legions of fans that know him only as an actor and are completely
unaware that Kris is a songwriting legend. Kris changed the song
writing landscape in Nashville. In this town, he is revered for
his songwriting, as he should be, and every music person in Nashville
is a fan or has been influenced by Kris’s work.
Although I had an
absolute blast working on the Stephen Foster tribute, dreaming up this
album has been an extraordinary experience. Kris is a man I’ve
come to know and love. This is our collective love letter to him—a gift
for his 70th birthday and a token of our admiration and respect for his
musical legacy. Kris’s songs will live forever, and I am proud
and happy to add this record to the national archive. I hope you
enjoy the music.
Yours in Music,
Tamara Saviano
The Pilgrim: A Celebration of Kris Kristofferson Track Listing
1. The Pilgrim: Chapter 33 – Emmylou Harris &
Friends (Sam Bush, Jon Randall, Byron House, Randy Scruggs) (3:51)
2. Maybe You Heard – Todd Snider (3:28)
3. The Circle – Marta Gómez (4:20)
4. Lovin’ Him Was Easier (Than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again) – Rosanne Cash (3:37)
5. Come Sundown – Rodney Crowell (3:15)
6. For The Good Times – Lloyd Cole & Jill Sobule (3:25)
7. Jesus Was A Capricorn – Marshall Chapman (3:51)
8. The Silver Tongued Devil – Shooter Jennings (5:08)
9. Sunday Morning Coming Down – Gretchen Wilson (6:01)
10. Sandinista – Patty Griffin & Charanga Cakewalk (4:13)
11. Darby’s Castle – Russell Crowe and The Ordinary Fear of God (3:57)
12. Me And Bobby McGee – Brian McKnight (4:59)
13. Smile At Me Again (instrumental) – Randy Scruggs (2:43)
14. The Captive – Jessi Colter w/special guest Vance Haines (3:53)
15. Help Me Make It Through The Night – Bruce Robison & Kelly Willis (3:03)
16. Why Me – Shawn Camp (3:34)
17. The Legend – Willie Nelson (6:25)
Coda: Please Don’t Tell Me How The Story Ends – Kris Kristofferson (demo recording, circa 1970) (3:15)
Proceeds from The Pilgrim: A Celebration of Kris Kristofferson will be
used to sponsor songwriting workshops.
American Roots Publishing
is a 501(c)3 non profit organization. Our mission is to preserve
American culture through music, literature and art. For more
information check out americanrootspublishing.org
Contact:
Tamara Saviano
American Roots Publishing
Saviano Media
TSaviano@comcast.net
615-385-1233
americanrootspublishing.org
savianomedia.com
