Sounds from beyond the Shed 157 “Another one gone…”

It’s not often you meet your heroes, I very rarely have. Sure I’ve breathed the same air at gigs and what have you but rarely actually met someone I considered a hero. I did meet one in 1969 at the age of five and it was fantastic. He was riding high in the charts and after the gig he shook my hand and told me he was pleased to meet me. I was chuffed for weeks. We don’t talk about Rolf now and rightly so.

However this week following the news of the passing of Kris Kristofferson, Gill, a friend of mine, related the story of when she met and spent time with him during the Black Deer Festival of 2019. They say if you meet your heroes you will invariably be disappointed but this was definitely not the case here. She describes him thus “I had the massive pleasure of spending time with Kris in 2019 when he headlined the Ridge Stage. He brought the house down.  Afterwards I spent some time with him in his bus, and I have to say, he still had a beautiful sparkle in his eyes, and was so lovely. Such a lovely memory. I love it when someone you really admire does not disappoint. So sad that he has gone. What a legend!!”

Kristofferson ticked so many boxes for me both musically and as a screen actor. I spent hours watching ‘Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid’ or ‘Heaven’s Gate’ and even latterly the wonderful film adaptation of Willy Vlautin’s ‘Motel Life’. He always seemed to move through the screen with a consummate ease and knowing amusement at life’s confusions and disappointments. I also have a clear memory of the first YouTube clip below. Not sure how old I was when I watched it but it did stick with me. Here’s a man demonstrating range and how to keep a straight face. Please enjoy.

So the clips are Kristofferson, the second of which has some great clips from various movies, and the radio show sees me in recovery and playing classic Counting Crows as well as The Clearwater Swimmers, Native Harrow, Wayne Graham, Calexico and many more. As ever…..