Stephen Bruton

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Stephen Bruton (November 7, 1948 – May 9, 2009) was an American actor and musician. Born in Wilmington, Delaware, he moved to Texas at age two. After graduating from Texas Christian University, he joined Kris Kristofferson’s band, starting a friendship and musical partnership that lasted more than 40 years. He worked with many artists, including Bonnie Raitt, Elvis Costello, Christine McVie, Rita Coolidge, and Delbert McClinton, and produced albums for artists like Alejandro Escovedo and Kris Kristofferson.

From 1993 to 2005 he released five solo albums and also recorded three albums with The Resentments, a group of Austin songwriters. The 2007 concert film Road to Austin features Bruton and friends performing in Austin; it was released in 2014.

Bruton was diagnosed with cancer in late 2006. He and friends recorded in the studio as Geoff Muldaur and the Texas Sheiks. He died in Los Angeles on May 9, 2009, at age 60, from throat cancer and is buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Fort Worth, Texas.

Bruton contributed to the 2009 film Crazy Heart, co-writing and performing much of the music with T Bone Burnett. On Kris Kristofferson’s 2009 album Closer to the Bone, Bruton played bass and mandolin and provided backing vocals. Kristofferson called the album a tribute to Bruton’s spirit. In 2012, Little Feat released Rooster Rag, which includes the Bruton–Paul Barrere collaboration “Just a Fever.”