Multi-talented artist Dennis Quaid, Tanya Tucker, and the late legendary Songwriter Kris Kristofferson recently released a new single, “On My Way to Heaven,” available from Gaither Music Group.
In 2023, Dennis Quaid released a gospel album, Fallen: A Gospel Album For Sinners, via the Gaither Music Group. The album combined seven soul-stirring renditions of hymns with five original songs, in which Quaid delivered honest, inspiring lyrics sung in an unmistakable tone that reflects heartfelt gratitude and eternal hope.
When longtime pal Tanya Tucker heard the album, she loved it, especially the original tune “On My Way To Heaven,” composed entirely by Quaid. When she heard the song, she got an idea. She called Willie’s ex, Connie Nelson, and asked, “Is Kris (Kristofferson) still singing?” She said, “Yes.” Tucker replied, “I’ll ask him if he’ll sing this song with me.” Within ten minutes, Kristofferson agreed, but it needed to be recorded in Malibu, near where he lived.
Tucker alerted Quaid regarding her intentions. She told him she wanted to cover his song. Then a few minutes later, she calls back and says, “Kris Kristofferson wants to sing this song, too.”
After recording her part with her band in Austin, Tucker and Quaid joined Kristofferson at the world-famous Shangri-La Studios in Malibu. Quaid was such a huge fan of the singer/songwriter and actor that he actually included Kristofferson’s “Why Me, Lord” on his gospel album. Kristofferson’s wife, Lisa, said singing the song with Tucker and Quaid, “put the sparkle back in his eyes.”
The pair knew they wanted to make a video of the song, so they recruited longtime Kristofferson family friend and producer, John Carter Cash, to direct it. It was Tucker who had the vision for the video’s storyline. They went to Malibu to shoot footage of Kristofferson, then completed the rest of the video in Nashville. Little did they know that filming “On My Way To Heaven” would be one of Kristofferson’s final filmed performances before he passed in 2024. With three unmistakable voices across music and film, this song and video provide a profoundly personal meditation on grace and redemption.
Though the Grand Ole Opry is famous for its unscripted live performances, on Saturday, June 20th, they agreed to premiere the video of “On My Way To Heaven.” This rare occasion of a video debut was met with a rousing round of applause from the audience, followed by Tucker and Quaid sharing a few songs together.
While he is an Emmy and Golden Globe winner, Quaid called working with Tucker and Kristofferson “one of the most meaningful experiences of my career.” He continued, “Having Kris lend his voice to it during what became his final recording session was an extraordinary honor and something I’ll always treasure. Kris brought an in-depth wisdom and authenticity that only he could. Sharing this moment with both Kris and Tanya made the song even more special, and I’m deeply grateful to have been part of creating this lasting musical memory.”
Speaking from personal experience, Quaid stated,”[The song] touches people and gets them to look into themselves, their lives, and their personal relationship with God. It’s coming together in the spirit of Christ.”
Sun Label Group and Gaither Music Group president, Paul Sizemore, concluded, “Tanya, Dennis, Kris, and John Carter Cash each brought their own voice and perspective. Together, they created something that reflects the legacy each of them carries and captures a rare moment when those worlds came together.”
Be sure to stream and watch this newest heartfelt version of “On My Way To Heaven.”
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Bethany Bowman is a freelance entertainment writer. You can follow her blog, Instagram, and TikTok.
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