Sign up for my weekly newsletter and receive a free guide (PDF and audio)!
5 Ways to Discover New Music As An Adult.

Dakota the Dancing Bear

Kris Kristofferson October 2024 Connections Mix Tape

The October 2024 Connections Mix Tape can be found on Spotify. Listen in-blog below for a more rich experience, or on Spotify for uninterrupted music. Please note below each song is a link to song lyrics for accessibility. Check out more details on how to best enjoy mix tapes.


Good day, and welcome! I’m DJ Ponyboy on KMTJ-DB – Your Mix Tape Journey – Denver, Colorado. Thank you for joining me for today’s October 2024 Connections Mix Tape.

This month’s Connections Mix Tape, honouring American musical legend Kristoffer Kristofferson, is a bit different than usual, and may reflect a permanent change in the “Connections” format – more on that later.

Let’s jump right into part one in the story of Dakota, the dancing bear, replete with a wondrous cast of characters, including Arlo Guthrie, Jessie, David Allen Coe, the Grand Funk Railroad, Pusher Betty, the Mysterious Rhinestone Cowboy, Kris Kristofferson, the Tennessee Hat Band, and of course Dakota himself, among others!

Without further ado, here is Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge kicking us off with “Dakota, the Dancing Bear” on KMTJ-DB, Denver.

Dakota (The Dancing Bear) Lyrics

Kristoffer Kristofferson was born June 22, 1936 in Brownsville, Texas, moving frequently due to his father’s military service, finally settling in San Mateo, California.

One of my favourite songs of his was originally recorded by Ray Stevens in 1969, before becoming a Billboard number one hit for Johnny Cash the following year.

With Kristofferson’s ode to the day after a raging Saturday night, here is Me First and the Gimme Gimmes with their 2006 cover of “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down”.

Sunday Morning Coming Down Lyrics
Help Me Make it Through the Night Lyrics

The incomparable Tammy Wynette with her 1974 cover of “Help Me Make It Through the Night”. Originally recorded by Kristofferson in 1970, it was popularized later that same year when covered by Sammi Smith; however, Tammy’s version is my favourite. Me First and the Gimme Gimmes before that with “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down”.

Kris Kristofferson has had an outsized influence on other musical artists, with artists from all musical genres calling him a significant influence on their music. I think of Kristofferson as a “songwriter’s songwriter”, and I think this next song, co-written with the great Shel Silverstein, is a great example of that.

I feel like Silverstein teases out some attitude that Kristofferson usually tries to sublimate; this song has more snark, sarcasm, and pettiness than the rest of his catalog combined.

Originally recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis in 1969, here is Kris Kristofferson with his song, “Once More With Feeling” on KMTJ-DB – Your Mix Tape Journey – Denver, Colorado.

Once More With Feeling Lyrics
Somebody Nobody Knows Lyrics

One of the indications of an influential songwriting career is when another artist records an entire album of only your songs. Kris Kristofferson is the lucky recipient of two such albums. We just heard Dick van Altena’s cover of “Somebody Nobody Knows”, from the 2003 album Dick van Altena Sings the Hits of Kris Kristofferson; before that, Kristofferson himself with “Once More With Feeling”.

I certainly hope you haven’t forgotten about Dakota, the dancing bear; I know I haven’t!

We pick up the story two short years later, with the most well-known installment. Make sure to listen closely to learn what you are expected to bring to a California rock festival.

I’m DJ Ponyboy; here is David Allen Coe with 1976’s “Dakota the Dancing Bear, Pt. II” on KMTJ-DB, Denver.

Dakota the Dancing Bear, Pt. II Lyrics

“Dakota the Dancing Bear, Pt. II”.

I’m DJ Ponyboy. Thank you for joining me. I hope you have been having as much fun today celebrating the music of Kristoffer Kristofferson as I have! I mentioned at the top of the show that this episode might be indicative of a change in the format of the monthly third-week mix tape. What do you think? Does artist exploration interest you or do you prefer the traditional Connections format? Visit the Mix Tape Journeyers Facebook Group and share your thoughts; I’d love to hear from you!

1972 brought us “Nobody Wins”, which one short year later became a hit for “Little Miss Dynamite”, Brenda Lee.

Nobody Wins Lyrics

Another indication you have made it in the game of music is when other songwriters mention you in their songs. Kristofferson has been referenced in a surprising number of lyrics; here is a whole song dedicated to him and his music.

Enjoy Tim McGraw and his tribute, “Kristofferson” on KMTJ-DB – Your Mix Tape Journey – Denver, Colorado.

Kristofferson Lyrics

Some may only know Kristofferson as an actor, others might think of him as only a country artist, and some may not recognize the name at all, but I expect nearly everyone is familiar with the most famous cover of probably his most famous song.

Here is Janis Joplin, who briefly dated Kristofferson prior to her death, with one of her most influential tunes, the inimitable 1971 blues version of Kris Kristofferson’s “Me and Bobby McGee”.

Me and Bobby McGee Lyrics

“Me and Bobby McGee” – written by Kristofferson, and originally recorded by Roger Miller – Janis Joplin with her version of that tune.

You might recognize Miller from his role as the minstrel cock in Disney’s 1973 animated classic Robin Hood; additionally, he wrote all the music for the movie.

Earlier we heard a track from Dick van Altena’s Kristofferson tribute album; from Willie Nelson Sings Kristofferson, here is Willie Nelson and “Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again)” on KMTJ-DB, Denver, Colorado.

Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again) Lyrics

I’m DJ Ponyboy. Thank you for joining me today to celebrate the life and music of Kristoffer Kristofferson. I hope you’ve had a blast; if you weren’t able to get enough, make sure to join my Patreon for exclusive bonus mix tape content including a bunch of songs I couldn’t fit on this mix tape!

We had to wait almost fifty years for the next installment of the Dakota story; enjoy the Beagle Brothers with 2022’s “Dakota the Dancing Bear Part III”.

Dakota the Dancing Bear Part III Lyrics

You may have noticed there is an extra song on this week’s mix tape; Kris deserves it. 😊 Thank you for joining me today; keep your eyes and ears open – who knows when we might receive another chapter in the story of Dakota!

Kristoffer Kristofferson passed away last month at the ripe age of 88. He was reported to have asked that three lines penned by the legendary songwriter Leonard Cohen appear on his tombstone; as a form of eulogy, I would like to repeat them here.

“Like a bird on the wire, like a drunk in a midnight choir, I have tried in my way to be free”.

On KMTJ-DB – Your Mix Tape Journey – Denver, Colorado – I’m DJ Ponyboy urging you to stay gold.


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *