Texas musician Stephen Bruton dies

By Michael D. Ayers

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Stephen Bruton, the Texas-based guitarist and vocalist renowned for his work with musicians including Kris Kristofferson and Bonnie Raitt, died in Los Angeles on Saturday due to complications from throat cancer. He was 60.

Bruton was undergoing treatment in Los Angeles, and also finishing work on the Jeff Bridges film "Crazy Heart," where he was acting as music producer and composer alongside T-Bone Burnett. He also played on sessions for Kristofferson's upcoming album "Starlight and Stone."

Bruton got his first big break with Kristofferson in 1972 when he contributed guitars and vocals to the latter's "Border Lord" album.

He went on to work on Carly Simon's 1976 release "Another Passenger" and Bonnie Raitt's mega-selling "Luck of the Draw." His songs were covered by a wide range of artists, including Raitt, Willie Nelson, Jimmy Buffett, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Patty Loveless.

Bruton also released five solo records, most recently 2005's "From The Five."

In addition to music, Bruton acted in a number of films, including "Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid," "Heaven's Gate," "A Star is Born," "Miss Congeniality" and "The Alamo."

"Stephen Bruton was the soul of Texas music," Burnett said in a statement. "This is an incalculable loss. He was my oldest friend and I loved him like a brother. I learned more from him than I can say."

His funeral will be held in Fort Worth, Texas.