New Music From Kris Kristofferson

LOS ANGELES (Top40 Charts/ New West Records) - Grammy-winning music legend Kris Kristofferson opens his latest release with the title track "Closer To The Bone," an intense, intimate song which the Los Angeles Times describes as "a celebration of that point in life where every moment becomes precious." The record continues with 11 poignant tracks. Closer To The Bone, his second release with New West Records, is scheduled for release September 29. The new record was produced by Grammy Award winning producer Don Was (Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt) who also produced Kristofferson's last CD, the critically acclaimed This Old Road. Closer To The Bone will be released as a standard CD, deluxe two-CD set as well as limited edition 180 gram vinyl.

The personal lyrics on Closer To The Bone are a reflection of Kristofferson's epic journey. "I like the intimacy of the new album" he explains in a recent interview. "It has a general mood of reflecting on where we all are at this end of life." In addition to the title track, other stand out cuts include "From Here To Forever," a melancholy lullaby to his children, and "Good Morning John," written for Kristofferson's friend and mentor, the late Johnny Cash, about the struggles with addiction early in Cash's life.
Closer To The Bone features Kristofferson on vocals, guitar and harmonica, Don Was on bass, Rami Jaffee on keyboards, Jim Keltner on drums and longtime friend, the late Stephen Bruton, to whom the album is dedicated, on guitar, mandolin and backing vocals. All lyrics and music were written solely by Kristofferson except "From Here To Forever" which was written in collaboration with Stephen Bruton and Glen Clark.

On November 10, Kristofferson will be honored with the BMI Icon Award at the performing rights organization's 57th annual Country Awards, the oldest awards saluting country's top music makers. The Icon designation is given to BMI songwriters and artists who have had "a unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers." Kristofferson, who will be saluted with an all-star musical tribute that evening, joins an elite list of past honorees that includes country music stalwarts Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, Whisperin' Bill Anderson, Charlie Daniels, Loretta Lynn and last year's honoree Hank Williams, Jr., along with multi-genre nobility like the Bee Gees, Isaac Hayes, Ray Davies, James Brown, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Steve Winwood and more.