40. KRIS KRISTOFFERSON

He’s said growing up in Brownsville was the best period of his life. Those memories informed a career that, for a time, felt like it was from the truest personification of a renaissance man that we had — actor, athlete and author of some of the best poetry in country music. He penned “Me and Bobby McGee” before another Texan made it famous. But it wasn’t only his contribution. Not even close. Most Texas musical moment: When he sings, “When you’re heading for the border, lord, you’re bound to cross a line,” it means so much more than cheap wordplay.