Turner Stephen Bruton(November 7, 1948 – May 9, 2009) was an American actor and musician.[1]
Background
editBorn inWilmington, Delaware,United States, he moved with his family toTexasat the age of two. He fell into theFort Worthmusic scene after graduating fromTexas Christian Universitywhen he joinedKris Kristofferson's band as the latter's career was about to take off; their collaboration and friendship lasted more than 40 years.
Career
editBruton worked with such artists and musicians asNRBQ,T Bone Burnett,Bonnie Raitt,Gene Clark,Rita Coolidge,Christine McVie,Elvis Costello,Delbert McClinton,Sonny LandrethandCarly Simon.He produced albums forAlejandro Escovedo,Marcia Ball,Jimmie Dale Gilmore,Hal Ketchum,Storyville,Kris Kristofferson,Chris Smither,Ray Wylie Hubbard,andHellbillies.
From 1993 to 2005 he released five solo albums of his own work, as well as three withAustin, Texas,songwriters The Resentments.
The concert filmRoad to Austinwas recorded on May 19, 2007, when Bruton and many of his musical friends performed for 20,000 people in Austin, Texas. The film was released in 2014, and includes interviews with Bruton and others.[2]
In late 2006, Bruton was diagnosed withcancer.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 filmCrazy Heart,which was released in December and dedicated to Bruton's memory.[3][4]
On Kristofferson's 2009 releaseCloser 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."[citation needed]
In June 2012,Little FeatreleasedRooster Rag(Hot Tomato/Rounder Records), containing a collaboration, "Just a Fever", that he wrote with group guitaristPaul Barrere.They were frequent writing partners.
Death
editBruton died of complications ofthroat cancerinLos Angeleson May 9, 2009, aged 60.[5]He was buried atMount Olivet Cemeteryin Fort Worth, Texas.[6]
Discography
edit- What It Is(Dos Records,1993)
- Right on Time(Windsong Records,1995)
- Swingmasters Revuewith Michael Price (Shel-Tone,1996)
- Nothing but the Truth(New West Records,1999)
- Spirit World(New West, 2002)
- From the Five(New West, 2005)
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"Stephen Bruton dies at 60; Texas musician played with Kris Kristofferson, T Bone Burnett".Los Angeles Times.May 11, 2009.RetrievedOctober 16,2019.
- ^"Road to Austin".2014.Retrieved2020-07-26.
- ^Stephen BrutonatIMDb
- ^Turner Stephen BrutonatIMDb
- ^"Guitarist, songwriter Stephen Bruton dies at 60".Usatoday30.usatoday.RetrievedOctober 16,2019.
- ^Shepherd, Josh."Bruton, Turner Stephen (1948–2009)".Texas State Historical Association.Retrieved12 October2020.