TULSA , Okla . – Some people are talented actors ; others are talented musicians . A gifted few can achieve success in both worlds . This month , The Joint in Tulsa ’ s Hard Rock Casino will showcase two performers who are equally at home in front of a camera as they are behind a mic : Kris Kristofferson April 6 and Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters April 14 . |
For women of a certain age , Texas native , folk icon and country music star Kris Kristofferson will forever be inseparable from his role as self-destructive heartthrob John Norman Howard in the 1976 film “ A Star is Born ”. Kristofferson won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of a rock star at the tail end of his career .
In real life , Kristofferson ’ s popularity as a musician has endured for decades . With three Grammy awards and 29 albums to his name , he has written a multitude of hits . While he has achieved great success performing his own music , hundreds of artists have also recorded his compositions . Kristofferson-penned Songs like “ Me and Bobby McGee ” and “ Help Me Make it Through the Night ” helped define the careers of performers like baby boomer goddess Janis Joplin and country singer Sammi Smith .
In addition to his Grammys , Kristofferson has garnered a long list of honors over his career . Last October , he was awarded the Woody Guthrie Prize at a star-studded , sold-out event at Tulsa ’ s Cain ’ s Ballroom . The award is given to artists who continue the legacy of folk troubadour and activist Woody Guthrie . Kristofferson ’ s work with and support of
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“ Like Woody , Kris spoke the truth regardless of the effects that doing so would have on his career ,” said Woody Guthrie Executive Director , Deana McCloud . “ Sometimes those truths are difficult for the masses to easily accept because they may point out the ugliness of injustice or question the intentions of those in power . Speaking for peace and social justice is something that both Woody and Kris were fearless in their willingness to do .”
According to McCloud , in many ways , both artists had / have a similar approach to songwriting .
“ The lyrics written by Kris Kristofferson and Woody Guthrie expressed the reality of life , even if that reality wasn ’ t pretty ,” McCloud explained . “ The reality of their poetry , and each of them are truly poets , is something that touches our souls because it speaks to us on a personal level .”
Better known for his tabloid-selling relationship with actress Angelina Jolie ( that whole vial of blood necklace thing …) than for any activism , Billy Bob Thornton is not only an Academy Award winning actor , he ’ s also a vocalist and drummer in his own country band , Billy Bob Thornton & the Boxmasters . The band formed in 2007 and has released three records with a combination of covers and originals .
Thornton has surrounded himself with a solid band , including Danny Baker ( Unknown Hinson ) on bass guitar , and while it is easy to make light of the actor-turned-musician formula , Thornton actually has talent as both a songwriter and frontman . The now 61-yearold ’ s first love was music , not acting . He started playing drums at nine , drumming and singing in high school bands while growing up in Arkansas . In addition to his time with the Boxmasters , Thornton has played in Creedence Clearwater Revival and ZZ Top cover bands , as well as recording a number of solo albums .
For more information on these shows and a complete calendar , visit www . hardrockcasinotulsa . com .
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