The country community is mourning the death of Kris Kristofferson, an artist who influenced many who came after him.

Kristofferson died on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at the age of 88.

We’re starting to hear from country artists across the board about how Kristofferson affected their careers and their music, and what kind of a man he was in interactions the average fan didn’t get to see.

One of those people who was impacted by his legacy is Shania Twain, who had a chance meeting with the A Star Is Born star once.

During a recent chat with the “That Don’t Impress Me Much” hitmaker for Taste of Country Nights, we asked if a surprising celebrity had ever told her they were a fan of her music.

She knew just the story.

With a deep breath, Twain thought back on all of her memories, then delivered an amazing response.

“You know, one time, I was at a rehearsal — it was for the CMA Awards — and Kris Kristofferson was there,” she notes. “He was there with his wife and some of his kids. He is one of my favorite all-time songwriters. He’s an absolute poet. Not just for country music, but for many genres.”

Twain spoke with TOCN before Kristofferson’s death, so not knowing we’d soon lose him, her response was especially poignant.

“He just walks right up to me and tells me how much of a fan he is,” she recalls, “and I was so blown away, I thought, ‘Wow, how do you even know who I am?'”

“Really though, you feel that way in the moment,” she insists, despite her own star status as one of the biggest names of the ’90s and ’00s. “You’re thinking, ‘I’ve grown up with this person’s music all of my life and admired his writing, and he’s recognizing me …'”

“So that was pretty glorious.”

Kristofferson will surely be missed for his talents and his kind heart.