THE BIG GUITARSKI
Guitarist|November 2020
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
THE BIG GUITARSKI

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?

Denne historien er fra November 2020-utgaven av Guitarist.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra November 2020-utgaven av Guitarist.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA GUITARISTSe alt
Sonic Shaper
Guitarist

Sonic Shaper

Electro-Harmonix revisits the effect that launched the company with the LPB-3 Linear Power Booster and EQ

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
Platinum Blonde
Guitarist

Platinum Blonde

PRS has updated its Texas-voiced David Grissom signature amp with more features, lower wattage and a more approachable price tag

time-read
5 mins  |
October 2024
TAN LINES
Guitarist

TAN LINES

Many of us regard straps as a bit of an afterthought, but to find one that matches the quality of a custom or vintage guitar, Rod Boyes of Pinegrove Leather can help

time-read
7 mins  |
October 2024
ELECTRIC STRINGS
Guitarist

ELECTRIC STRINGS

Your tone starts with your strings - strike a balance between sound, tuning and durability with six of our favourites

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
DIFFERENT WINDS
Guitarist

DIFFERENT WINDS

While there's no end to repros of all the classic pickup styles, more and more pickup makers are mixing things up to move forward - Cream T is a good example

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2024
Long termers
Guitarist

Long termers

A few months' gigging, recording and everything that goes with it - welcome to Guitarist's longterm test report

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2024
Top Guns
Guitarist

Top Guns

Chapman's new factory move coincides with a bit of a rethink. We track down the key players all around the world

time-read
4 mins  |
October 2024
the Wishlist
Guitarist

the Wishlist

Dream gear to beg, borrow and steal for...

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
Reach For The Star
Guitarist

Reach For The Star

Earlier this year Guild reorganised its 70s-era Polara range. We spent some time with this mid-range 2024 model: a modern pawn-shop prize or a copy too far?

time-read
4 mins  |
October 2024
HIGH FLYER
Guitarist

HIGH FLYER

Adrian Thorpe of ThorpyFX remembers the flight path - and turbulence behind Chris Buck's Electric Lightning overdrive/boost, named after a fighter jet and packing a bona fide valve

time-read
6 mins  |
October 2024