Leon Bridges facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leon Bridges
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Bridges performing in 2016
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Todd Michael Bridges |
| Born | July 13, 1989 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Origin | Fort Worth, Texas, U.S. |
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| Years active | 2014–present |
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| Associated acts | Khruangbin, John Mayer |
Todd Michael "Leon" Bridges, born on July 13, 1989, is an American singer, songwriter, and music producer. He is known for his unique soul music style that reminds many of the 1950s and 1960s.
Leon Bridges signed with Columbia Records and released his first album, Coming Home, in 2015. This album was a big hit, reaching number six on the Billboard 200 chart. It also sold so many copies that it was certified platinum. The album was even nominated for a Grammy Award!
His next albums, Good Thing (2018) and Gold-Diggers Sound (2021), also received Grammy nominations for Best R&B Album. In 2018, his song "Bet Ain't Worth The Hand" won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Todd Michael Bridges was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on July 13, 1989. He grew up in Fort Worth, Texas.
Leon learned to play the guitar by practicing simple chords. He used these chords to go along with the songs he wrote. Before becoming famous, he worked at a restaurant in Fort Worth. During this time, he often performed at open-mic nights, where new artists can share their music.
His unique style really started to shine with his song "Lisa Sawyer." This song was about his mother's journey of faith. In December 2014, his talent was noticed, and he signed with Columbia Records.
Career Highlights
Starting with Coming Home (2014–2015)
Leon Bridges began writing and performing soul music that sounded like it came from the 1950s and 1960s. People described his music as "a transmission straight from the heart." He started gaining fans quickly.
His big break came when he met guitarists Austin Jenkins and Joshua Block. They were impressed by his song "Coming Home." Leon worked with them to record his first songs using old-fashioned equipment. This helped give his music that classic sound.
In late 2014, he put two demo songs on SoundCloud. "Coming Home" became popular on local radio stations. This caught the attention of many record labels, and he signed with Columbia Records in December 2014.
Leon started his first national tour in January 2015. He played shows in Texas and also opened for singer Sharon Van Etten in New York City. His first official single, "Coming Home," was released in February 2015. It quickly became one of the most popular songs on Spotify.
His first album, Coming Home, was released in the summer of 2015. The New York Times called it one of the "Albums to Look Forward to From Texans." The song "Coming Home" was even featured in an Apple iPhone 6 commercial! Leon also performed at big events like the Sundance Film Festival and SXSW.
In May 2015, Leon Bridges was on the cover of Fort Worth, Texas magazine. They highlighted his amazing voice and his cool retro style. His album Coming Home was nominated for a Grammy Award. He also performed on Saturday Night Live in December 2015, singing "Smooth Sailin'" and "River."
Success with Good Thing and Texas Sun (2016–2019)
In February 2016, Leon Bridges performed at the White House for President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama. He sang one of his own songs and a song by the legendary Ray Charles.
His song "River" became even more popular in 2017 when it was featured in the HBO TV series Big Little Lies. It was later included on the show's soundtrack.
In 2018, Leon's song "Better Man" was used in the movie Pacific Rim: Uprising. He also opened for Harry Styles on his first solo tour in South America and Mexico.
Leon Bridges' second album, Good Thing, was released on May 4, 2018. He also had a small role in the movie First Man, where he played singer Gil Scott-Heron.
In December 2019, Leon Bridges teamed up with the band Khruangbin. They released a song called "Texas Sun." Their joint music project, an EP (which is like a mini-album) with the same name, came out in February 2020.
New Music: Gold-Diggers Sound and Texas Moon (2020–2022)
On June 8, 2020, Leon Bridges and Terrace Martin released a song called "Sweeter." They wrote this song in response to the sad event of George Floyd's murder.
Leon also performed at the 2020 Democratic National Convention, a big political event.
His third studio album, Gold-Diggers Sound, was released on July 23, 2021.
He released another collaborative EP with Khruangbin, called Texas Moon, on February 18, 2022.
Latest Album: Leon (2024–present)
On August 8, 2024, Leon Bridges released a new song called "Peaceful Place." At the same time, he announced his fourth studio album, Leon, which came out on October 4, 2024.
Musical Style
His Unique Sound
Leon Bridges' music is mainly soul, but it sounds a lot like the rhythm and blues music from the 1960s. The Wall Street Journal described him as someone who brings back the sound of '60s soul artists like Otis Redding and Sam Cooke.
Leon often performs in vintage clothing, which means clothes from an earlier time. Fort Worth Weekly said that his "music sounds like he looks," meaning his classic style matches his classic sound.
Discography
Leon Bridges has released several successful albums and EPs. His main albums include Coming Home (2015), Good Thing (2018), Gold-Diggers Sound (2021), and Leon (2024). He has also released EPs like Texas Sun and Texas Moon with the band Khruangbin. Many of his songs have been certified platinum or gold, meaning they have sold millions of copies.
Awards and Nominations
Grammy Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
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| 2016 | Coming Home | Best R&B Album | Nominated |
| 2017 | "River" | Best Music Video | Nominated |
| 2019 | Good Thing | Best R&B Album | Nominated |
| "Bet Ain't Worth the Hand" | Best Traditional R&B Performance | Won |
See also
- List of Columbia Records artists
- Music of Texas
