MUMBAI: Last Friday, Kris Kristofferson was presented with the inaugural Stephen Bruton Award in the Lone Star International Film Festival.

Said the 73-year-old Kristofferson, "I‘m very moved by the award, but I don‘t like the reason for it. I‘m here to honour Stephen."

A near-capacity crowd squeezed into the intimate Lola‘s Saloon Stockyards to pay tribute to Kristofferson. The Fort Worth singer-songwriter, producer and actor died in May at age 60 from complications from cancer.

Designed by Bruton‘s friend, local architect Mark Gunderson, the award itself was an elegant homage, constructed from wood, steel and a bit of the counter from the Bruton family store, Record Town. 

Bruton‘s mother, Kathleen, assisted by his brother Sumter, presented Kristofferson the award, telling him that he "could be halfway around the world playing a real good gig."

The audience was also treated to filmmaker J. Mitchell Johnson‘s lovingly assembled mini-documentary about Bruton‘s too-short life and his relationship with Kristofferson.
The award is intended to honour artistes the careers of whom are anchored in music but also feature work in films, said Lone Star International Film Festival artistic director, Alec Jhangiani.

A rotating committee made up of Bruton‘s family, friends and associates will meet to determine future recipients, with an eye toward launching a music component of the Lone Star International Film Festival in a few years.