The Pigram Brothers have helped shape the sound of modern Broome.

Their music has captured the saltwater, humour and tough spirit of the town in a way which reached far beyond the Kimberley.

Last week, one of the brothers who helped create that sound was recognised with one of Australia's most important First Nations arts awards.

Broome singer-songwriter and guitarist Stephen Pigram received the Red Ochre Award for Lifetime Achievement in Artistic Excellence at the First Nations Arts and Culture Awards in Sydney.

Pigram Productions said the honour was celebrated with Stephen Pigram, who they called the "Grandfather of our branch of the family tree".

Mr Pigram is a singer-songwriter and skilled guitarist whose work includes theatre, film, live shows and community arts.

He has written songs with his father Eric Pigram, Uncle Jimmy Chi, Kuckles, Scrap Metal and The Pigram Brothers.

As a music director and composer, he worked on the landmark theatre shows Bran Nue Dae and Corrugation Road. These productions helped share Broome's stories, language and humour with people across Australia.

He also worked on the feature films Bran Nue Dae and Mad Bastards, both of which are closely connected to the Kimberley's culture.

Pigram Productions said his career has involved some of Australia's top arts organisations.

"As a featured artist, he has performed with leading Australian arts organisations including The Black Arm Band, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Australian String Quartet, and Tura New Music," the organisation said.

Stephen Pigram was elected a Writer Full Member of APRA in 1989, inducted into the WA Music Hall of Fame in 1993, and awarded the Centenary Medal in 2000 for services to Indigenous music.

But his influence has extended outside the stage.

Mr Pigram has supported the wider arts community through his work with the Aboriginal Arts Board and Arts WA. He also helped start several important Broome organisations, such as Broome Musicians Aboriginal Corporation, Mamabulanjin Aboriginal Corporation, the Broome Rubibi Native Title Claim, Broome Aboriginal Media Association and Goolarri Media Enterprises.

These organisations helped create the cultural foundations which let Broome's artists, musicians and storytellers share their work in their own way.

Pigram Productions said Stephen gave special thanks to his older brother, Alan Pigram, who was at the awards ceremony and still works in music and storytelling through Pigram Music Pty Ltd.