STEPHEN BRUTON "Crazy Heart" Controversy Grows

MUSIC NEWS - The New York Times reported on Friday that the controversy over musician Stephen Bruton’s will and his involvement with T Bone Burnett in the Oscar-nominated movie “Crazy Heart” continues.  Several of Bruton's friends, along with his ex-wife Mary Keating Bruton, are claiming that Burnett, the soundtrack's producer, pressured Bruton to change his will and exclude ex-wife Mary (leaving the majority of his $1.2M estate to his brother) and in minimizing Bruton’s role in creating the film's music.

Bruton, a respected session and touring musician (he spent many years playing with Kris Kristofferson and Bonnie Raitt) and songwriter, divorced his wife, Mary, just two months before his death from cancer last year and left her $100 besides her share of the community property.   In her lawsuit, she alleges that Burnett influenced Mr Bruton’s decision-making while Bruton's health deteriorated, under medication and wrapping up the soundtrack recording after a move to L.A.

Some of Bruton’s friends also feel that Burnett has damaged Bruton’s legacy by saying in interviews that Bruton inspired the character of Bad Blake, played by Jeff Bridges in the Oscar-nominated role of the washed-up country musician.

More @ NYTimes.com

Comments

[no]

Has nothing to do with her cheating on him, and not taking care of him while he was bed ridden

[thirteenburn]

Sounds like a lot of hype, however it has to be said that Burnett's actions are easily called into question if what Bruton's ex-wife claims is true about his last days under heavy medication and taking instruction from Burnett.

I would be very interested in hearing what Kristoferson has to say about all this. I would feel a lot better making a decision as to where I come down on this after hearing what he thinks, being as they were close. Kristoferson's integrity goes a long way as to the veracity of either side's claims against the other.

Also, is it just me, or based upon the trailers I've seen thus far, did anyone else think that this was a "bio-pic" on Waylon Jennings? It sure looks that way to me.

I'm just sayin'...

[Paul]

Friends of Stephens were grateful for T-Bone and the love he gave Stephen from growing up in Fort Worth to Stephens last days. Its amazing how many people call themself friends of Stephens but really don't know what Stephen went through while battling cancer. His so called friends think T-Bone used Stephen for his own gain. If anyone knew Stephen they knew he didn't have a problem speaking up for himself or expressing hiw own opinions. If he didn't want to go to L.A. he wouldn't have gone. If his so called true friends were really friends of Stephen they would have known the problems Mary presented to him while he was fighting Cancer. If his so called friends couldn't reach Stephen maybe the truth was you really weren't a true friend by his definition. Many of his real freinds spoke to him and saw him in L.A. How selfish of them also to think that he should talk to you rather than fight his Cancer. Stephen was my friend and is someone I miss. It does give me peace to know that he was surrounded by those who love and cared for him and he was loved in the truest meaning.