Watch Kris Kristofferson Perform the Song That Allowed Him to Quit His Day Job on Austin City Limits

Kris Kristofferson was a prolific songwriter whose songs have been recorded by countless artists. Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Ray Price, Ray Charles, Janis Joplin, and many others put their spins on Kristofferson-penned songs over the years. However, hearing him sing those timeless songs makes them hit differently. After all, he was the only one who knew exactly how he wanted them to sound when he put them to paper.

While Kristofferson didn’t see the commercial success of some of the artists who cut his songs, his talent is undeniable. Concert footage of him performing his timeless tunes remains a testament to that. Watch him perform the classic song “Sunday Morning Comin’ Down” on Austin City Limits in 1981 below.

[RELATED: The Hangover Song Kris Kristofferson Allegedly Delivered to Johnny Cash by Helicopter, “Sunday Morning Coming Down”]

Interestingly, Kristofferson’s appearance on Austin City Limits almost didn’t happen. “This is the show that almost wasn’t,” ACL producer Terry Lickona said of Kristofferson’s set. As I was introducing Kris, the studio descended into total darkness. Apparently, an errant rodent chewed through a major power line and the result was a blackout that lasted all night,” Lickona recalled. “The audience was led out by flashlight singing the ACL theme and Kris hung out on the roof with the crew. Fortunately, he came back the next day.”

“Sunday Morning Comin’ Down” Changed Kris Kristofferson’s Life

“Sunday Morning Comin’ Down” changed Kris Kristofferson’s life. He included it on his 1970 debut album Kristofferson. However, he wasn’t the first to record the song nor was his version the most successful.

Ray Stevens recorded “Sunday Morning Comin’ Down” in 1969 and saw minor success. Then, the next year, Johnny Cash sang it on his television show. More importantly, he released it as a single from the album The Johnny Cash Show. Cash’s rendition of the song went to No. 1 on the Billboard country chart. Additionally, the song won Song of the Year at the CMA Awards. The Song of the Year Award goes to songwriters. So, Cash brought Kristofferson his first CMA Award.

Kristofferson talked about “Sunday Morning Comin’ Down” during an interview with NPR in 2013. “I’m just real grateful for that song because it opened up a whole lot of doors for me,” he said. “So many people that I admired, admired it. Actually, it was the song that allowed me to quit working for a living,” he added.

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