Funny how life works. Last week, a few days after I got back from my friend Stephen’s Bruton’s funeral in Fort Worth, I was asked to record some radio spots for Stand Up to Cancer. Recording the spots allowed me to honor my friend Stephen, even in a small way. On May 9th, Stephen Bruton became one of the 1,500 people that die everyday from cancer. That’s a mind-numbing statistic. Unfortunately such statistics can go ignored. But people like Stephen Bruton cannot.
Stephen was one of Fort Worth’s favorite sons, and one of the most prominent guitar players in the world — certainly one of the very best to come out of Texas, and that’s saying something. He was also a gifted storyteller, a musician’s musician, who wrote songs which spoke to, “nothing but the truth” which was the title of one of his albums.
Throughout his illustrious career, Stephen played alongside Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Bonnie Raitt, Jimmy Buffett, Martina McBride, Little Feat, Elvis Costello, Carly Simon, and the list goes on and on. Many of these artists recorded songs Stephen had written. He was a fixture in Kris Kristofferson’s music for 40 years — from the moment he graduated Texas Christian University to working on Kristofferson’s latest release that is due in the fall. T Bone Burnett met Stephen as a teenager, where Stephen introduced him to the Appalachian music T Bone would make use of so beautifully in O Brother, Where Art Thou?.
He was a pretty good actor to boot — Kris Kristofferson got him a part in A Star is Born, and Hollywood kept giving Stephen roles in Heaven’s Gate, Michael, Sweet Thing, Miss Congeniality, and The Alamo among others.
Bill Paxton and musician Stephen Bruton Texas Film Hall Of Fame Awards 2007
Stephen and I remained friends throughout the years. I’d see him in Fort Worth; he’d visit me in LA. I always felt connected to him as you do with the people you grow up around. Our families both went to Holy Family Church; his father ran a local record store, where I took my first guitar lesson. Even if it had been awhile since we spoke, I was always aware of what he was doing. Stephen was a good reminder to do what you love and love what you do. I will miss him dearly. And he was one brave cat in the face of death.
Today, Stand Up to Cancer is announcing the funding of its first Dream Team collaborations which are going to bring doctors together from different disciplines to work on specific projects aimed at eradicating cancer. I admire the work of Laura Ziskin and all the entertainment folks, the doctors and the scientists who are taking a stand against this disease. And they need to win. Why? Because the lives of the other 1,499 people who died of cancer on the same day as Stephen Bruton were just as important and influential to the friends and families that surrounded them. They were no less loved, they are no less missed. They just couldn’t play the six string like Stephen.
Until the time when cancer no longer claims the lives of creative spirits taken from this earth way too soon, let us heed the wisdom found in the songs of Stephen Bruton:
“Just enjoy this ride on my trip around the sun. Just enjoy this ride ’till it’s done.”
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SHEROES RADIO PRESENTS: THE ROAD TO JONISeptember 13, 2024READ MOREJulia Gets Wise with Bonnie RaittApril 3, 2024READ MOREThe Blues Show with Cerys Matthews - BBC SoundsJune 5, 2023READ MORE6 Things To Know About Bonnie Raitt: Her Famous Fans, Legendary Friends & Lack Of Retirement PlanMarch 6, 2023READ MOREBonnie Raitt Talks with David RemnickFebruary 3, 2023READ MOREBonnie Raitt - The Bob Lefsetz PodcastOctober 20, 2022READ MOREBonnie Raitt performs as if no one has ever seen the show beforeOctober 7, 2022READ MOREBonnie Raitt - Bullseye with Jesse ThornOctober 4, 2022READ MOREBonnie joins Dave Cobb on Southern Accents RadioSeptember 17, 2022READ MOREPaul Ingles - Talk Music With Me - Bonnie Raitt: JUST LIKE THATJune 28, 2022READ MOREBonnie Raitt, Blues Sister: Her Life And Times In Eight SongsJune 7, 2022READ MORESpotlight On: Bonnie RaittMay 28, 2022READ MORE{{title}}{{date}}READ MOREA conversation with Bonnie RaittMay 8, 2022READ MORE{{title}}{{date}}READ MOREBonnie on CBC LISTEN q with Tom PowerApril 22, 2022READ MORE{{title}}{{date}}READ MOREBonnie Raitt - WTF with Marc Maron PodcastApril 11, 2022READ MOREBonnie on The Record Store Day Podcast with Paul MyersApril 5, 2022READ MOREBonnie talks to Bruce Headlam on Broken Record PodcastMarch 16, 2022READ MOREBonnie Raitt - Questlove SupremeMarch 9, 2022READ MOREBonnie Raitt sits inMarch 7, 2022READ MOREBonnie Raitt: favorite songs from each albumAugust 25, 2021READ MORE{{title}}{{date}}READ MOREHear a 21-Year-Old Bonnie Raitt Cover Joni Mitchell’s ‘Woodstock’August 14, 2020READ MOREBonnie Raitt on Angel From Montgomery while on DebatableApril 14, 2020READ MORE{{title}}{{date}}READ MOREI Am (Not) a DivaJune 4, 2019READ MORETurning The Tables Listening Party: Women Of Roots And AmericanaDecember 1, 2017READ MORELittle Kids Rock Honors Elvis Costello and Bonnie RaittOctober 19, 2017READ MOREBonnie Raitt still giving them ‘Something To Talk About’May 27, 2017READ MORE{{title}}{{date}}READ MORE{{title}}{{date}}READ MOREBonnie Raitt On World CafeJuly 27, 2016READ MOREJohnnie Walker meets... Bonnie Raitt on BBC Radio 2May 29, 2016READ MOREBonnie Raitt on The Music ShowMay 22, 2016READ MOREBonnie Raitt: 2016April 8, 2016READ MORE{{title}}{{date}}READ MOREConcert review: Bonnie Raitt digs in deep at Heinz HallMarch 23, 2016READ MOREListen to Bonnie Raitt on The Strombo Show - March 6, 2016March 7, 2016READ MOREBonnie Raitt in Magnetic Form Once Again with ‘Dig In Deep’February 29, 2016READ MORE{{title}}{{date}}READ MOREAmericana Music Association UK Produces First Awards ShowFebruary 5, 2016READ MORE{{title}}{{date}}READ MOREBonnie had a fantastic chat with Simon Mayo on BBC Radio 2. Have a listen!February 2, 2016READ MORENick Of Time - Track by Track 25th AnniversaryJuly 16, 2014READ MOREThe Leonard Lopate Show - Bonnie RaittNovember 5, 2013READ MOREInterview: Bonnie RaittOctober 13, 2013READ MOREBonnie Raitt On World CafeDecember 26, 2012READ MORE2012 Americana Music Association Honors & Awards ShowSeptember 15, 2012READ MOREFocus On: Bonnie Raitt - 2012 Americana Music Association Keynote InterviewSeptember 15, 2012READ MORE{{title}}{{date}}READ MOREBonnie Raitt: A Brand-New Model For A Classic SoundJune 16, 2012READ MOREPaul Ingles - The Emergence of Bonnie RaittMay 11, 2012READ MOREBonnie Raitt - Words and Music - 2012May 10, 2012READ MORESomething To Talk About With Bonnie RaittApril 17, 2012READ MORE{{title}}{{date}}READ MOREBonnie Raitt Posts Live Duet with Maia Sharp for DownloadMarch 22, 2012READ MOREBonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal let the good times roll at the GreekSeptember 12, 2009READ MOREBonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal provide perfect ending to Meijer Gardens Summer Concert SeriesAugust 24, 2009READ MOREBonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal Interviewed by Michael Bourne (Audio)August 10, 2009READ MOREWNYC Soundcheck - Bonnie Raitt and Taj MahalJuly 28, 2009READ MOREBonnie Raitt serves up variety of styles at MajesticMay 12, 2009READ MOREMississippi Fred McDowell Blues Trail MarkerMay 8, 2009READ MOREA Prairie Home CompanionJune 7, 2008READ MOREA Prairie Home Companion with BonnieOctober 28, 2006READ MOREBlues and Conversation with Bonnie RaittJuly 6, 2006READ MOREBonnie Raitt – Telluride Bluegrass Festival, CO 2006June 18, 2006READ MOREReview: Bonnie Raitt live at Wiltern Theater in Los AngelesNovember 22, 2005READ MOREBonnie Raitt Shakes it UpMay 4, 2002READ MORE
Bonnie has contributed a new recording of "Prison Bound Blues" written by Leroy Carr to a project called Better Than Jail, an extraordinary new album benefiting Free Hearts and Equal Justice USA. Better Than Jail is available everywhere today and features covers of iconic prison songs from Steve Earle, Taj Mahal,Margo Price, The War and Treaty and many more. The album seeks to raise awareness and support for the urgent need to reduce the harm of the criminal justice system. https://found.ee/BetterThanJail.
I'm so proud to have joined in with so many illustrious artists in creating this very special album in support of rural prison reform. Overlooked for far too long, this issue cuts across all cultural and political divides and deserves all our focused attention to finally bring about some swift and meaningful action. Better Than Jail is one of the most inspired and heartfelt albums I've been blessed to be a part of and I hope it sets a fire in hearts far and wide to join in our efforts." ~ Bonnie Raitt
Released on: 2024-10-04 Executive Producer: Brian Hunt Producer: Kenny Greenberg Producer: Wally Wilson Producer: Bonnie Raitt Recording Engineer: Jason Lehning at Sound Emporium Mastering Engineer: Alex McCollough at True East Mastering Production Assistant: Shannon Finnegan Mixer: Justin Niebank at Hounds Ear Music Publisher: Universal Music Corp. Composer, Lyricist: Leroy Carr ℗ Believe Entertainment Group and Wyatt Road Records
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The Fabulous Thunderbirds - Nothing in Rambling Ft. Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal, Keb' Mo' & Mick Fleetwood
In celebration of the band’s 50th Anniversary, The Fabulous Thunderbirds have just released Struck Down, their first studio album in eight years on Stony Plain Records. The ten-track album includes a wonderful cover of Memphis Minnie’s “Nothing in Rambling,” featuring longtime friends, T-Birds founding member Kim Wilson, along with Bonnie, Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal and Mick Fleetwood. — BRHQ
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Little Feat - Long Distance Call
“I’ve always loved Little Feat and this new incarnation of the band is bringing some serious heat, cred and new blood to their enduring legacy. Every Feat fan loves us some Sam. I’m so glad he’s now gotten a chance to step out front and center and put his spin on these wonderful blues songs. I loved singing "Long Distance Call" with him, always one of my favorites, and Scott slayed on slide. Know you’ll enjoy hanging out with us at Sam’s Place!" -- Bonnie Raitt
“Long Distance Call” was written by blues legend, Muddy Waters. It has Sam Clayton and Bonnie Raitt on vocals, Scott Sharrard on Dobro, Fred Tackett on acoustic guitar, Tony Leone on drums, and Michael “The Bull” LoBue on harmonica. The album also features Bill Payne on piano and Kenny Gradney on bass.
Little Feat have composed an album that’s their love letter to the blues entitled, ‘Sam’s Place.’ “Long Distance Call” plus many other blues classics are on this album. You can stream and order ‘Sam’s Place’ here: https://orcd.co/samsplace
Broken Hearts & Dirty Windows: Songs of John Prine, Vol. 2, the anticipated new John Prine tribute record from Oh Boy Records, is out today. Stream/purchase HERE.
Created as a celebration of Prine’s life and career, the album features new renditions of some of Prine’s most beloved songs performed by Brandi Carlile (“I Remember Everything”), Tyler Childers (“Yes I Guess They Oughta Name A Drink After You”), Iris DeMent (“One Red Rose”), Emmylou Harris (“Hello In There”), Jason Isbell (“Souvenirs”), Valerie June (“Summer’s End”), Margo Price (“Sweet Revenge”), Bonnie Raitt (“Angel From Montgomery”), Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats (“Pretty Good”), Amanda Shires (“Saddle in the Rain”), Sturgill Simpson(“Paradise”) and John Paul White (“Sam Stone”). Proceeds from the album will benefit twelve different non-profit organizations, one selected by each of the featured artists.
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Bonnie Raitt - Write Me a Few of Your Lines/Kokomo Blues
60 years anniversary celebration of Arhoolie
December 10, 2020
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Arhoolie Foundation celebrates it's 60th anniversary (1960-2020) with an online broadcast.
Bonnie Raitt - Shadow of Doubt
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival
October 3, 2020
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass celebrates it's 20th anniversary with an online broadcast titled “Let The Music Play On”.
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Bonnie Raitt & Boz Scaggs - You Don't Know Like I Know
Farm Aid 2020 On the Road
Sam & Dave classic written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter.
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Sheryl Crow & Bonnie Raitt - Everything Is Broken
[Eric Clapton’s Crossroads 2019]
Eric Clapton, one of the world’s pre-eminent blues/rock guitarists, once again summoned an all-star team of six-string heroes for his fifth Crossroads Guitar Festival in 2019. Held at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, the two-day concert event raised funds for the Crossroads Centre in Antigua, the chemical dependency treatment and education facility that Clapton founded in 1998.
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'A Tribute To Mose Allison'
Celebrates The Music Of An Exciting Jazz Master
Raitt contributed to a new album, If You're Going To The City: A Tribute To Mose Allison, which celebrates the late singer and pianist, who famously blended the rough-edged blues of the Mississippi Delta with the 1950s jazz of New York City.
NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro talks to Bonnie Raitt about her friendship with the Mose Allison. They're also joined by Amy Allison — his daughter, who executive produced the album — about selecting an unexpected list of artists to contribute songs to the album.
Recorded on tour June 3, 2017 - Centennial Hall, London - Ontario Canada
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