Ashley McBryde’s CMA Kristofferson tribute was nearly perfect

Ashley McBryde fought her nerves to pay tribute to Kris Kristofferson at the 2024 CMA Awards.

The singer’s acoustic performance was not teased and barely announced. She stood alone and sang “Help Me Make It Through the Night”, a number 1 song for Sammi Smith in 1970.

Kristofferson wrote the famous song – it is one of his most famous lyrics.

Kristofferson died on September 28, 2024 at the age of 88, marking the end of one of the most influential careers in country music history.

Speaking to Taste of Country ahead of the show, McBryde admitted she was nervous.

“Especially in a room full of people who do what you do for a living,” she shared. “They want to know if you did it wrong … or if you make a choice that they’re like, ‘That was self-indulgent.'”

“Also, I like to overthink things,” she says. “So I’ll just be inconsolably anxious all the time.”

Read more: Watch Kris Kristofferson’s Sob-Worthy Final Performance

Even more emotional than McBryde’s performance were the frequent camera shots of his widow, Lisa Meyers. Holding back tears, she smiled and then celebrated the moment – a great tribute to the late country legend.

Kristofferson made significant contributions to the country songbook, writing such classics as “Me and Bobby McGee” and “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down.” His resume also includes success as a solo artist and actor. In the 1980s, he teamed up with Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings to create the supergroup The Highwaymen.

While he quietly retired from music in 2020, he still made occasional public appearances, including at the 2023 Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion ceremony. His last performance may have been at Willie Nelson’s birthday party in May 2023.

Read more: The Country Stars We Lost in 2024

Kristofferson’s death left a profound impact on stars throughout the music and entertainment industry; Celebrities including Reba McEntire, Barbra Streisand, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood all reflected on the loss.

Barely two months after his death, Kristofferson’s absence still seemed fresh to many in attendance at the CMA Awards, with several singers wiping away tears as they watched from their seats in the crowd.

The 2024 CMA Awards took place at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and aired on ABC. Luke Bryan, Lainey Wilson and Peyton Manning hosted the show.

*Remember: The best way to watch the CMA Awards is on ABC with ToC on your phone.