T Bone Burnett

A Visionary from The Alpha Band to Hollywood Hits

Starting with The Alpha Band, Burnett’s genius led him to shape some of the most iconic soundtracks in history.

T Bone Burnett is a legendary musician and producer known for his work in folk, rock, and country. A former guitarist for Bob Dylan, he later produced acclaimed albums for artists like Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. He also shaped iconic soundtracks, including O Brother, Where Art Thou?, and advocates for artist rights in the digital age.

T Bone Burnett's music blends folk, rock, blues, and Americana with a raw, literate style, often infused with atmospheric production and sharp social commentary.

T Bone Burnett's most popular album is likely Proof Through the Night (1983), which received critical acclaim and featured guest appearances by musicians like Pete Townshend and Ry Cooder. However, he is best known for his work as a producer, particularly the Grammy-winning O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack (2000), which became a massive success and revived interest in traditional American roots music.

Experience the haunting storytelling and rich Americana sound of T Bone Burnett’s Proof Through the Night—a masterful blend of folk, rock, and blues. Listen free and uninterrupted use ☰ to select track

His group was called The Alpha Band. The band was formed in the mid-1970s by T Bone Burnett, Steven Soles, and David Mansfield after they toured with Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue. The Alpha Band released three albums between 1976 and 1978, blending rock, folk, and experimental sounds, but they never achieved mainstream success.

After the group disbanded, Burnett went on to build his solo career and become a highly influential producer.

The album Proof Through the Night (1983) features an impressive lineup of musicians, including:

• T Bone Burnett – vocals, guitar

• Pete Townshend (The Who) – guitar on "Power of Love"

• Ry Cooder – slide guitar

• Richard Thompson – guitar

• Mick Ronson (David Bowie's Spiders from Mars) – guitar

• David Miner – bass

• David Mansfield – violin, mandolin, guitar

• Steve Douglas – saxophone

• Ron Tutt (Elvis Presley’s TCB Band) – drums

• Jim Keltner – drums

• Jerry Marotta – drums

• Rubén Blades – background vocals

• Cait O'Riordan (The Pogues) – background vocals

This mix of legendary musicians helped shape the album’s distinctive sound, blending rock, folk, and blues with T Bone Burnett’s signature storytelling.