At 17, he opened his own recording studio in Fort Worth that catered to local bands and visiting musicians
Big break came in 1975 when he met Bob Dylan's friend Bob Neuwirth, which led to Dylan inviting Burnett to play guitar in his Rolling Thunder Revue tour
In 1983, was named Songwriter of the Year in a Rolling Stone Critics' Poll
Met ex-wife Sam Phillips while he was producing her 1987 crossover gospel/pop album The Turning
Is outspoken in his criticism of the changes in the recording industry
Never desired to be a famous performer and claims live performance didn't come naturally to him; he attributed that mostly to fear
Awards
2017Emmy-Outstanding Music Direction:nominated
2014Golden Globe-Best Original Song - Motion Picture:nominated
2013L.A. Film Critics Association-Best Music Score:winner
2013Golden Globe-Best Original Song - Motion Picture:nominated
2012Grammy-Best Song Written for Visual Media:winner
2010Grammy-Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media:winner
2010Independent Spirit Awards-Best First Feature:winner
2010Critics' Choice Movie Awards-Best Song:winner
2010BAFTA Film Awards-Best Music:nominated
2010Golden Globe-Best Original Song - Motion Picture:winner
2010Grammy-Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media:winner
2009Oscar-Best Achievement in Music (Original Song):winner
2006BAFTA Film Awards-The Anthony Asquith Award for Achievement in Film Music:nominated
2006Grammy-Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media:winner
2004BAFTA Film Awards-The Anthony Asquith Award for Achievement in Film Music:winner
2003Oscar-Best Achievement in Music (Original Song):nominated
2001Grammy-Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media:winner
2001BAFTA Film Awards-The Anthony Asquith Award for Achievement in Film Music:nominated