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On This Day in 1970, Johnny Cash Recorded the Live Album That Launched Kris Kristofferson’s Career
On 10 July 1970, Johnny Cash recorded the live album *The Johnny Cash Show* at the Grand Ole Opry House, a release tied to his television series of the same name. Though not the best-remembered of Cash's live records, it proved significant because its only single, "Sunday Morning Coming Down", topped the country chart and gave a major boost to the career of its writer, Kris Kristofferson. Days after the song reached No. 1, Kristofferson won Song of the Year at the CMA Awards.
Cash had already championed the song and its writer, debuting his version on his TV show in February 1970 and praising Kristofferson as "one of the greatest songwriters around" while telling viewers he would soon appear on the programme. The article also revisits the famous tale of Kristofferson landing a National Guard helicopter on Cash's lawn to deliver the demo, noting Kristofferson's own more modest recollection: the pair already knew each other, as he had worked as a janitor at Cash's recording studio and had pitched him many songs. Kristofferson credited Cash with much of his success, recalling that Cash and June Carter first put him on stage at the 1969 Newport Folk Festival, his debut performance.
Explained simply
Johnny Cash was an established country music star, whilst Kris Kristofferson was a struggling songwriter and musician trying to break into the industry. Kristofferson had worked as a janitor at Cash's recording studio, where he pitched his songs in hopes of catching the star's attention.
Cash recorded a live album in 1970 that included Kristofferson's song "Sunday Morning Coming Down". The song became a number one hit on the country charts and won major awards, bringing Kristofferson the recognition and success he had been seeking.
Cash had already championed Kristofferson before this album's success, having performed his songs on his television show and given him his first major performance opportunity at a folk festival in 1969. This backing from one of country music's biggest stars proved crucial to Kristofferson's subsequent breakthrough.