Seems as if anyone who is someone in music recorded at least one of Bruton’s songs, including Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Martina McBride, Patty Loveless and Jimmy Buffett. Bruton also wrote several songs for Kris Kristofferson and played in the iconic artist’s band for twenty years.

In addition to being a performer, Bruton also produced albums for folks such as Alejandro Escovedo, Hal Ketchum and Marcia Ball, and played on songs recorded by Raitt, Elvis Costello, The Wallflowers and Carly Simon, according to the Tennessean.

Bruton grew up in Fort Worth where he hung out during his teenage years with T-Bone Burnett. He moved to Woodstock, NY, in 1970 and started working with Kristofferson, joining his band at the age of 20. Kristofferson used to tell audiences Bruton added “a little sex and mystery to the group.”

Bruton also played on Kristofferson’s upcoming Starlight and Stone album.

Said Kristofferson of Bruton’s passing:

“I can’t say anything that lives up to the human being he was. He was like a little brother and a best friend to me, and he was my favorite guitar player. He was this shining thing, all of the time. You couldn’t be around him without laughing.”

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