For a man who wins awards for his music, on Tuesday, the lyrics were hard to find for Leon Bridges.
“I don’t have the words, but it’s just awesome to be immortalized in the area… where all the music started,” he said.
Bridges came back to Fort Worth’s Near Southside to recognize the place his career began; he recorded his first album, Coming Home, at Niles City Sound 10 years ago.
“Recorded right here, in this building,” said Tom Martens, director of Hear Fort Worth.
He and other leaders gathered inside the studio to present Bridges with street toppers etched with his name. Three of them are being placed along South Calhoun Street.
The city council passed the resolution last week.
“When I first got into music, you never really anticipate those things happening, you know, just all about the love for the music, so I’m super honored and humbled,” Bridges said.
Bridges now has one Grammy and has six Grammy nominations.
Grammy-winning artist Leon Bridges poses for pictures with fans in Fort Worth after a ceremony unveiling street toppers in his name. (NBC DFW/Tahera Rahman)
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker thanked Bridges for still making time for the city he grew up in, including through the charity he co-founded, The Big Good.
“Leon somehow makes time to keep giving back to Fort Worth in the middle of making music,” she said.
It’s also why she took to the stage at Dickies Arena last year, handing Bridges a proclamation that declared November 15 Leon Bridges Day.
“You’ve gone on to spectacular success, but one thing that permeates in all of your music, in your interviews, in the way you speak about your city, is the sense of humility of where you came from, and a sense of purpose, and I hope that we all do our justice in making sure you always feel welcome here in this amazing city,” Parker said.
“It’s not only my name, but my family, my heritage… huge honor,” Bridges said.
He said he’s always called Fort Worth home, and always will.
“Man, Fort Worth is, you know, my place of refuge. A lot of artists, when they get success, they move out of their city… I’ve still kept Fort Worth home,” Bridges said. “I’ll be here for the rest of my life, for sure.”
And although right now, looking up at the signs renders him speechless, Bridges will likely find the right words, like he always does.
“Hard to process, you know. It’s a big milestone, for sure,” he said.
A map showing where the Leon Bridges street toppers are located along South Calhoun Street. (Source: City of Fort Worth)