1. Here's simple star bust gradient text effect using just the 'Stroke' style from the 'Blending Options'.
For this example I chose a Handwriting Font just to reveal the curves a little more.
2. Next from the 'Layers Palette' right click on the font layer, and from the context menu, choose 'Blending Modes'.
3. From the Blending Modes apply the 'Stroke' settings that I have captured below.
The thing to note here, is the 'Fill Type'. I used 'Gradient, with 'Star Burst' style. This will allow the gradient to follow the direction of the stroke, as opposed to a just flat Linear direction.
4. This is how it looks once I applied the 'Stroke' blending style.
5. Now back in the 'Layers Palette', drag the 'Fill' slider to the 0% and all that remains is the Stroke Effect.
Nothing overly fancy, but just to make you aware of the 'Gradient/Star Burst Style', thats often overlooked.
6.Here's another variation.
7.And also works great on shapes and complex shapes.
More Tutorials: 
