I saw Stephen play with the Resentments at The Saxon Pub in Austin last summer. He was gaunt, with a gypsy headwrap, but his eyes were bright, penetrating. He had an amazing will to live, to beat the hand he had been dealt. I asked him to come back up to DC to do another set at XM for us, and he promised me that he would. Looking into his eyes, I believed with all my heart that he would. Instead, his voyage took him somewhere else, as did mine. Thanks for your muse, the one that you answered to; the one you brought to so many other artists. Thanks for the licks and the ear, the albums, the performances, and most especially for your grace. Farwell sweet Stephen.

-Jessie Scott

[An in-depth article on the passing of Stephen Bruton can be found here. Thanks to Jenni Finlay for the link.]