01.12.25
Time Well Spent
Leon Bridges makes genre-defying music, rooted in soul and guided by reflection. From his earliest days in bars across Fort Worth to the global stage, he transforms memories, faith, and heritage into sound – bringing together rhythm and vocals, his music is a celebration of time itself.
In the December chapter of Time Well Spent – our series celebrating those who spend time as beautifully as they keep it – we visit Leon Bridges in his hometown, Fort Worth, Texas.
Known for his smooth, genre-defying hits, like River, Coming Home, Texas Sun, and Beyond, Leon Bridges sources great inspiration from the tunes he heard growing up. His music is a journey through time: the unique sound of 50s and 60s R&B, the rhythm of 70s soul records, the nostalgia of 90s hitmakers like Usher and Ginuwine, the stripped-back instruments of Christian gospel, and the storytelling and warmth of country music. That same reflective pulse flows through his distinct fashion sense too – vintage 50s and 60s tailoring meets the swagger of Texas “gangster” culture. He takes from time to build something new.
But before the stages and spotlights, life looked very different. On a cold winter night in 2013, Todd Michael “Leon” Bridges finished his shift bussing tables for $8.75 an hour at Rosa’s Café on the suburban southwest edge of Fort Worth. Earlier that day, Leon had written a song that he wanted someone to hear. For four years he had been performing at open mics keeping it secret from his mother, who would have disapproved of him performing in “smoky bars,” but in fact, did not even know that he could sing. That night, Todd, or Leon Bridges, as he would be known to the latter crowd, walked seven and a half miles through the cold to reach the gig at Pop’s Safari Cigars, hands numb, but determined to sing his song River.
Soon after that New Year’s Eve journey, Leon’s life wholly changed. Just a year later, in December 2014, he signed with Columbia Records. His quiet determination fueled his meteoric rise, which would take him from local bars to the Grammy’s stage.
Raised in a deeply Christian home, Leon’s early years were defined by quiet introspection. His mother called him “Lost Child.” Leon was a boy who rarely spoke and never sang. That changed when he attended Tarrant County College, where he discovered dance, and, with it, community and confidence. Though he had grown up around hip-hop, he found himself drawn to classmates exploring ballet, jazz, and contemporary styles. Very quickly his schedule was filled with an array of dance classes. A dream and a sense of purpose emerged.
One day during these college years, he heard about a student who would bring his electric keyboard to the cafeteria, inviting others to freestyle and riff songs around him. Leon initially stood off to the side, and watched, but found himself returning again and again, drawn to the magic of collective music. Then, in a moment of quiet courage, he stepped forward to sing. It was the first time he had ever done so in public. A simple compliment from a classmate, “you are pretty good,” sparked his belief in himself and his abilities. He started singing in the cafeteria every day between classes – spending all his time there, or thinking about being there, singing. It overtook him completely.
Eventually, Leon tested his independent creativity. He bought a guitar, and found his way to songwriting. When his mother lost her job, he left TCC to work two jobs, but music had already taken hold. It became his refuge and compass. Out of this period came River and Coming Home – songs born of simple chords and raw inspiration of his reality, his faith, and his home. It was during this time that Austin Jenkins of White Denim discovered him at one of these open mics, immediately helping Leon record a couple of tracks that he eventually released on SoundCloud – and very quickly the world, and over forty music producers, fell for his nostalgically smooth sound.
Now, a little more than ten years later, the once ‘Lost Child’ has sung for presidents, shared stages with legends, and won a Grammy. Through it all his songs remain grounded in the same sincerity that they began with. His Texas roots, his gratitude, his reverence for history, and his devotion to craft remain unchanged – a testament to the beauty of time well spent.
What does Time Well Spent mean in your life?
Time well spent for me is focusing on what’s most meaningful in life.My family, my friends, my music, those are my priorities.
What is your first memory of creating?
When I was 12 I was a huge comic book fan, I have a clear memory of sitting and drawing my favorite superheroes.
When do you feel most like yourself?
When I’m home in Fort Worth. There's a comfort to the city I grew up in that is unmatched by anywhere else. I love being on tour, it's a different energy than almost anything in the world, but when I’m home I feel like I can be my most authentic self.
What is your very first memory?
My earliest memory is when my dad used to take me and my brother to Trinity Park to play. We would jump across the rocks on the river and my dad would tell us stories about his childhood.
What is your greatest regret?
I truly don’t have any regrets. I’m happy that the music I make and the hard work I've put in have significantly changed my life in a beautiful way.
What do you do to feel most present?
I try to look at everything in my surroundings and just feel gratitude for whatever experience I’m having in that moment.
What is your most treasured possession?
My Gibson J45. So many songs have transpired from that guitar.
If you could time travel to a different point in history, when would it be?
I would take a Time Machine to Miami in the 1970s. That’s my favorite era for fashion and I would definitely buy a bunch of muscle cars and Cuban heel loafers to take back with me.
December 1, 2025
By Leon Bridges
10.11.25
Time Well Spent
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