This year, the rain came and didn’t go, leaving Austin with the coolest, greenest summer in recent memory. Yet even if it were 110 degrees 30 days in a row, every day would look good to Stephen Bruton, who was diagnosed with throat cancer some six months ago.

“It’s the club you never want to be in,” says the local guitarist. His light tone doesn’t disguise the solemnity of his diagnosis or the scratchiness of his voice. He underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatment over a seven-week period with double treatments the last two weeks.

“I’m not saying I’m a superhero, but it was baptism by fire, and I came through it. I know what the flip side is like, when the doctor says, ‘You’re not well.’ read more..