t-bone burnett

Biography

T Bone Burnett, born Joseph Henry Burnett III on January 14, 1948, in St. Louis, Missouri, grew up in Fort Worth, Texas, where he immersed himself in the local music scene from a young age[1][3][4]. Inspired by the British Invasion and American roots music, he began performing with blues bands and eventually started his own recording studio. Burnett's early career included a stint with the psychedelic folk-rock band Whistler, Chaucer, Detroit, and Greenhill, and a solo debut in 1972. His major break came in 1975 when he joined Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue as a guitarist, after which he co-founded The Alpha Band, releasing three albums between 1976 and 1979[1][3].

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Burnett established himself as a solo artist and, more significantly, as a producer, working with artists such as Los Lobos, Elvis Costello, and Roy Orbison. His production work became highly sought after, blending elements of roots rock, Americana, and southern gothic styles[1][3]. Burnett's deep knowledge of American music traditions and his innovative approach to sound engineering, including the development of his CODE audio technology, set him apart in the industry. His career reached new heights with his work on the soundtrack for the Coen brothers' film 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?' (2000), which won multiple Grammy Awards and sparked a revival of interest in bluegrass and Americana music[1][2][3].

Burnett's legacy is defined by his versatility as a musician, songwriter, and producer, as well as his impact on film and television soundtracks, including 'Walk the Line,' 'Crazy Heart,' and 'True Detective.' His collaborations span a wide range of genres and artists, and his influence is felt across generations of musicians. Despite his many accolades, Burnett is known for his relentless pursuit of artistic truth and his commitment to preserving the integrity of recorded sound[1][2][4].

Fun Facts

• T Bone Burnett developed a high-fidelity audio format called CODE, aiming to preserve the sonic quality of original studio recordings[1].
• He won an Oscar for Best Original Song for 'The Weary Kind' from the film 'Crazy Heart'[2].
• Burnett was married to singer-songwriter Sam Phillips (formerly Leslie Phillips) from 1989 to 2004[1][3].
• He is known for his aversion to the word 'career,' preferring to describe his journey in music as a 'pursuit' of artistic truth[4].

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Bob Dylan - Burnett toured as a guitarist with Dylan on the Rolling Thunder Revue, which deeply influenced his approach to songwriting and production. (Rolling Thunder Revue tour) [1975-1976]

Key Collaborators

• Elvis Costello - Long-term collaborator as both producer and performer. (King of America (1986), Spike (1989)) [1980s-1990s]
• Los Lobos - Produced their critically acclaimed major-label debut. (How Will the Wolf Survive? (1984)) [1984]
• Alison Krauss & Robert Plant - Produced the Grammy-winning album. (Raising Sand (2007)) [2007]
• Coen Brothers - Music supervisor and producer for several films. (O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000), The Big Lebowski (1998)) [1998-2000s]
• Leslie Phillips (Sam Phillips) - Produced her album and later married her. (The Turning (1987)) [1987-2004]

Artists Influenced

• Gillian Welch - Produced her early work and helped shape her Americana sound. (Revival (1996, as executive producer)) [1990s]
• The Wallflowers - Produced their breakthrough album, influencing their roots rock direction. (Bringing Down the Horse (1996)) [1996]
• Counting Crows - Produced their debut, helping define their sound. (August and Everything After (1993)) [1993]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Waiting For You (feat. Lucius) (The Other Side)
2. It's Not Too Late (The Criminal Under My Own Hat)
3. Always (The Coward Brothers)
4. Shut It Tight (with Richard Thompson) - 2006 Remaster (Proof Through The Night (Remastered))
5. (I’m Gonna Get Over This) Some Day (feat. Rosanne Cash) (The Other Side)
6. Palestine Texas (The True False Identity)
7. River Of Love (T-Bone Burnett (Expanded Edition))
8. My Baby Just Squeals (The Coward Brothers)
9. He Came Down (The Other Side)
10. Like Licorice (The Coward Brothers)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia