His second and third albums,Good Thing (2018) andGold-Diggers Sound (2021) also earned Grammy nominations for Best R&B Album; the former peaked at number three on the chart while the latter peaked at number 17 and saw critical acclaim.[1][2] His 2018 single "Bet Ain't Worth The Hand" won theGrammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance.
Bridges learned to play the guitar by playing simple chords to accompany his lyrics.[4] While working at Del Frisco's Grille in Fort Worth, he played countless open-mics until he was signed byColumbia Records in December 2014.[5] It was his song "Lisa Sawyer", written about his mother, that first defined his style.[4]
Bridges began writing and performing1950s and'60s-style soul music that was described byAustin 360 as "a transmission straight from the heart."[6] He began to attract followers, and his break into the music industry has been attributed to meeting guitarist Austin Jenkins and Joshua Block ofWhite Denim.[4] It was Bridges' performance of "Coming Home" that caught the attention of the two.[4] Bridges worked on his first few tracks with Jenkins and Block as producers.[7] They recorded an album with vintage equipment, using local musicians affiliated with White Denim.[8] Bridges released two demo songs on SoundCloud in late 2014. "Coming Home" received airplay from local radio stations includingKKXT.[8] It attracted the attention from several record labels with Bridges eventually signing withColumbia Records in December 2014.[8]
Bridges and his band atWebster Hall, Manhattan, in October 2015
Bridges began his first national tour in January 2015, playing shows inTexas as well as playing support forSharon Van Etten inNew York City.[9][10] His first official single, "Coming Home", was released on Columbia Records in February 2015.[11] The song continued the success of the demo version and became a Top 10 Most Viral Track on Spotify the same month as its release.[12] Bridges toured with Jenkins and Block until they resumed work with White Denim. He also played at theSundance Film Festival[13] and played at theSXSW festival in 2015.[14]
His debut album was released in the summer of 2015 and has been referred to as a 2015 "Album to Look Forward to From Texans" byThe New York Times.[15] Bridges made the cover ofFort Worth, Texas magazine in May 2015[16] for his vocal accomplishments and his distinctive retro style. "Coming Home" is featured in anAppleiPhone 6 commercial.[17] Bridges made his first appearance in the UK as an artist in May when he sold out the London Village Underground.[18] He went on to announce four July dates,[19] ending with a gig atShepherd's Bush Empire on September 28.[20]Coming Home was nominated forBest R&B Album at the58th Annual Grammy Awards.
Aside from his own shows, Bridges also supportedPharrell Williams at theApple Music Festival on September 26. While opening at the intimateRoundhouse, he was able to perform songs such as "River", "Better Man" and "Lisa Sawyer" from his debut albumComing Home. Bridges was the featured musical guest onSaturday Night Live on December 5, 2015. He performed "Smooth Sailin'" with a full backup band and sang "River" with only backup singers and organ, accompanying himself on guitar.[21]
Bridges also participated inMacklemore & Ryan Lewis's song "Kevin", which was released on the duo's second full-length album.[22]
On February 24, 2016, Bridges performed in Washington, D.C., as part of the series "In Performance at the White House" for president and Michelle Obama. He performed a song by Ray Charles as well as one of his own songs.[23]
On April 8, 2016,[24] Bridges was the live artist featured onBBC Radio LondonRobert Elms show. Elms interviewed Bridges briefly, and played track 8, "Pull Away", from theComing Home album. Bridges was set up to play live with Colin O'Brien. Together they performed a live version of "River". The live track was so well received it was played again as "live track of the week" on the Elms Saturday show on April 9,[25] and again on April 11[26] during a program segment on the best-ever live performances on the Robert Elms show.
In 2017 "River" received further recognition in the first season of theHBO seriesBig Little Lies. It was later included on the soundtrack for the show.[27][28]
In 2018, his song "Better Man" was featured in the filmPacific Rim: Uprising. He was the opening act on the South American and Mexican legs ofHarry Styles' first solo tour.[29][30] Bridges' second albumGood Thing was released on May 4, 2018.[31] He had a cameo appearance inDamien Chazelle's filmFirst Man, playing singerGil Scott-Heron. Bridges andGary Clark Jr. appeared together on the song "Gone Away" from rapperBun B's albumReturn of the Trill, with Bridges singing the hook and Clark on lead guitar. On May 18,[32] Bridges performed "Beyond" from the albumGood Thing on an episode of the BBC seriesThe Graham Norton Show.
In December 2019, Houston, Texas-based trioKhruangbin announced a collaboration and tour with Leon Bridges and released a single titled "Texas Sun" on December 6, 2019. The collaborative EP of the same name was released in February 2020.
On August 8, 2024, Bridges released the single "Peaceful Place", simultaneously announcing his fourth studio album,Leon, which was released on October 4, 2024.[37][38]
For "Chocolate Hills":"NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. January 31, 2022. RetrievedJanuary 29, 2022.
For "Mariella":"NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. February 28, 2022. RetrievedFebruary 26, 2022.
For "When a Man Cries", "Panther City" and "Ain't Got Nothing on You":"NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. October 14, 2024. RetrievedOctober 11, 2024.
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