‘The Office’ star and rock star Creed Bratton keeps himself young by being ‘Mr. Irons in the Fire’

As I delve deeper into the captivating tale of Creed Bratton, I am struck by the richness of his life experiences and the depth of his talents. His journey from the small screen to the concert stage, and back again, is nothing short of extraordinary.

The budding musician lifted his fresh electric guitar high, gazing upon his crowd, before strumming a powerful E chord.

Creed Bratton vividly remembers that moment, around 70 years ago, when a powerful sensation struck him deeply and resonated throughout his body, leaving an indelible impact.

81-year-old Bratton is renowned for portraying his namesake character on “The Office.” Throughout his life, he’s been a dedicated musician, achieving fame as part of the Grass Roots in the ’60s. This week, he’s set to release his tenth solo album, “Tao Pop,” which blends jazz elements and intricate syncopation with his traditional singer-songwriter and rock base.

Bratton jokes that he’s like a rock star, as he has gold records, which is something that can’t be taken away from him,” is a possible paraphrase of the original statement.

Born in Los Angeles, Bratton – who wasn’t as friendly, reflective, or talkative as his TV character – hails from a family with a musical background. He remembers watching his grandparents’ band, the Happy Timers, perform in Long Beach. In fact, one of his album covers featured him, with Grandma on drums and Gramps on guitar.

Before attending school, he used to believe that everyone was familiar with playing music, as he shares. Raised in Coarsegold, not far from Yosemite, he would listen at night to Little Richard, Ray Charles, the Everly Brothers, Patsy Cline, and other artists when KFWB signal reached over the hills. “I was captivated by it all,” he says. “It was like magic to me.

(Quick aside for a moment more reminiscent of the TV Creed: When I pointed out that IMBD names Coarsegold as his hometown while Wikipedia lists Visalia, Bratton — whose real name is William Charles Schneider — responds, “It’s confusing being me. People say so many weird things about me, and even I speak of myself in the third person. I’m an enigma to myself.” Turns out he went to junior college in Visalia.)

Back when I was dabbling with the trumpet, I stumbled upon an electric Silvertone guitar that came with an amplifier right inside its case. My debut performance, if you will, took place in an old barn – quite a change from the usual concert venues! The audience for this unconventional gig consisted of my steer Rocky, my trusty horse Lucky, a few chickens, and one curious canine companion. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if my two loyal dogs, Trooper the German shepherd or Bob the Airedale, were present for this show. Oh, and let’s not forget Davy Crockett, my raccoon friend, who was also part of the barnyard ensemble!

He turned up the loudness and played that note, and at that moment, he exclaimed, ‘Trumpet? Shmumpet! I want to create this!’ He reveals. The passion for music and producing that specific sound, not money or popularity, was his primary concern back then.

Following the Beatles significantly altering his perception of music with “Rubber Soul” and “Revolver”, Bratton joined the Grass Roots, attaining rock stardom through hits such as “Let’s Live for Today” and “Midnight Confessions”. However, he began to feel discontent due to producers introducing external songwriters and musicians.

After appearing on “The Tonight Show,” he remembers having a mental collapse. He expressed, “By the way, have you listened to The Band’s ‘Big Pink’? It’s so authentic, and I aspire to create that.” However, the rest of the band was contented, and Bratton eventually accepted a settlement and departed. For many years afterward, he recorded albums in Malibu, performed at small venues, pursued acting, and landed minor roles, all while studying acting and honing his craft.

Then came “The Office.”

Originally, Bratton played a minor role, but show creator Greg Daniels decided to give him a chance and Bratton significantly influenced his character’s development. However, Bratton clarifies that this fictional portrayal on TV is not based on his real-life experiences, even though the character shares his real name. “People assume I was always high or that I was just improvising,” he explains. “But most of what my character said was written by the writers. I did share some aspects of my past with the writers, but there are certain things about my past Black Ops activities that I can’t discuss because there’s no expiration date for murder charges. So let’s move on from that topic.

He’s joking, of course, but Rainn Wilson, who played Dwight Schrute, says that the real anecdotes Bratton shared on the set were almost as mind-boggling. “He’d say, ‘When I lived on a commune in the redwoods or when I lived with the monkeys on the Rock of Gibraltar or when I enlisted for Vietnam or when I did acid onstage in Central Park and saw the face of God,” says Wilson, who says he loves all of Bratton’s albums. “They’re a beautiful reflection of his sensitivity and imagination.”

As a movie enthusiast, let me share my thoughts about this captivating series: The charm of this production lies not only in its engaging storyline but also in the unique musical elements that permeate it. Michael Schur, the creator, infused these tunes into the show’s fabric, making every scene more delightful with his guitar or mandolin strumming. He would often compose songs in the green room during downtime and entertain his castmates.

Beyond being a gifted storyteller and musician, his “Office” castmates say he’s a good friend.

Kinsey notes that the individual is incredibly thoughtful and appreciative. Moreover, he possesses an unusual perspective on life, adding a touch of whimsy to his outlook.

According to Kinsey, one of her delights in life is residing just around the corner from Bratton. “During the pandemic, he’d often visit our garden in the evenings and serenade us with songs, offering a glimpse of beauty and routine,” she notes. “In essence, music serves as his heartfelt expression or ‘language’ to life.

In early 2020, when Bratton’s shows in Australia were canceled due to wildfires, Brian Baumgartner (Kevin from the show) organized a charity event at the Roxy Theater to aid those affected by the fires. As Baumgartner reminisces, “He put on quite a spectacular event for everyone,” and he was there with Wilson and Kinsey lending a helping hand. “It was truly an emotional experience.

According to Baumgartner and Wilson, people attend Bratton’s concerts primarily due to his work on “The Office,” yet they depart as admirers of his music. As for Baumgartner, he comments that it would be simple for Bratton to just go through the motions at this stage, but instead, he persists in crafting and revolutionizing his art.

Wilson remarks that at the age of 97, he’s still a phenomenal guitarist, delivering an incredible performance.

Bratton doesn’t mind if folks become fans of his music due to “The Office,” and he enjoys sharing tales from the show during performances. As he puts it, “If I manage to resonate with these listeners and they exit humming my tunes, then consider me fortunate.

Fresh tunes keep emerging, as Bratton explains. In the mornings when he’s preparing to eat, meditate or exercise, the piano or guitar might call him over. “I’ll be about to do something else, and they’ll say, ‘Come here,'” he describes. “It may sound like a whimsical statement, but it’s accurate. There seems to be a barrier, and there’s another source of information beyond this one, and it’s almost as if the other realm is nudging me. So I simply sit down and let go, and write.

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He also perceives the lyrics (which are usually subtly intelligent without being overly cute) as communications from his unconscious mind. “I don’t consciously realize it while I’m composing them, but they guide me on how I can better myself or be more considerate to others,” he explains. “They serve as reminders for me to stay open and attentive to such matters.

At his age, this mindset is truly “inspirational,” Kinsey remarks. He’s not just a passive observer, but an engaged contributor to life, continually seeking and absorbing knowledge, she explains. It’s invigorating to spend time with him.

Bratton is deeply engrossed in music and acting, yet these passions don’t monopolize his entire time. He indulges in other creative pursuits when he’s not busy. For instance, he pens poetry and concocts fictional names for killers or assassins with the ambition of eventually sharing this collection with the Coen Brothers. Simultaneously, Bratton is working on his autobiography and a book about the Buffalo Soldiers and Native Americans. On top of these projects, he’s developing a new series titled “Creed’s Cabin.

“I’m Mr. Irons in the Fire,” he says. “I’ve got to keep the old mind stimulated or I’ll go nuts.”

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2024-09-27 01:01