THE BIG GUITARSKI

Best known as a big-screen actor, Jeff Bridges’ role as a washed-up country music star in Crazy Heart highlighted his other great love: the guitar. We meet the original Dude to talk songwriting and his new Breedlove signature acoustics

- Mark McStea

Music was Jeff Bridges’ first love, since discovering the joys of the guitar while still at school in the early 60s. Initially torn between pursuing a career as a musician or an actor, he harboured ambitions of transitioning between the two. His debut album, Be Here Soon, was released in 2000, but it wasn’t until his Oscar-winning role in Crazy Heart in 2009 that he was finally able to fully showcase his musical abilities. His portrayal of an alcoholic country singer in decline pointed the way to the country/ Americana route he has continued to follow with his own music.

Since the release of his self-titled album on the Blue Note label in 2011, Bridges has toured consistently with his band, The Abiders, named after his character in The Big Lebowski. A staunch advocate for environmental issues, Bridges has now teamed up with US guitar builder Breedlove to launch a range of signature models that are built entirely from sustainable woods. Bridges’ royalties for all guitars sold are being donated to the Amazon Conservation Team charity.

You’ve been playing the guitar for most of your life and music is obviously very important to you. What is it that music does for you that acting doesn’t? Do they feed your soul in different ways?