Stephen Bruton (November 7, 1948 - May 9, 2009) was an American musician.[1]
Contents |
Born in Wilmington, Delaware as Turner Stephen Bruton, he moved with his family to Texas at the age of two. He fell into the Fort Worth music scene after graduating from Texas Christian University when he joined Kris Kristofferson's band as the latter's career was about to take off; Bruton and Kristofferson's collaboration and friendship would last more than 40 years.
Bruton worked with such artists and musicians as NRBQ, T Bone Burnett, Bonnie Raitt, Rita Coolidge, Christine McVie, Elvis Costello, Delbert McClinton, Sonny Landreth and Carly Simon. He produced albums for Alejandro Escovedo, Marcia Ball, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Hal Ketchum, Storyville, Kris Kristofferson and Chris Smither.
In 2008 Bruton was diagnosed with cancer. His friends thought some time in the studio might be a welcome distraction. Dubbing themselves Geoff Muldaur And The Texas Sheiks, Geoff Muldaur (guitar, vocals), Cindy Cashdollar (dobro), Suzy Thompson (fiddle), Johnny Nicholas (guitar) and Bruce Hughes (bass) joined Bruton in the studio for a pair of recording sessions. Bruton died in May 2009; however, the album was released September 22, 2009 on the Tradition & Moderne label.
He made appearances in films and television, as well, and he co-wrote and performed with Burnett much of the music in the 2009 country music film Crazy Heart, which was released in December and dedicated to Bruton's memory.[2][3]
On Kristofferson's 2009 release Closer to the Bone, Bruton is credited with playing bass and mandolin and providing backing vocals. Kristofferson noted: "This album is dedicated to the spirit of my soul-brother Stephen Bruton and his unique legacy of music and laughter that has enriched our lives."
Bruton died of complications of throat cancer in Los Angeles on May 9, 2009, aged 60.[4]