"Creed Bratton, an actor renowned from The Office, was nearly persuaded to abandon his guitar pursuits due to the astonishing sound he encountered."
Take a Sneak Peek into Creed Bratton's Musical Roots
If you're an Officium devotee, you're probably well aware of Creed Bratton's eccentric charms - from being the office's quirky co-worker to the Scranton city's potential late-night stalker. But, what you may not know is the man's rich musical past!
Before Bratton transformed into our beloved Office character, he embarked on a quite remarkable, journeyneyman career as an electric guitarist. Yet, despite his success, an encounter with Eric Clapton nearly dampened his love for the instrument.
Born as William Charles Schneider, Bratton later changed his name to the moniker he'd later share with his Office character, after a music voyage through Europe, Africa, and the Middle East in his youth.
He would rise through the ranks of the popular band, The Grass Roots, reaching their peak in the late '60s and early '70s. The Grass Roots was a groundbreaking group, merging elements from British R&B and soul with folk rock, and even brass sections. While some of their songwriting was augmented by staff members of Dunhill Records known as the Wrecking Crew, Bratton took the changes in stride.
Reflecting on those days, Bratton says he always felt propelled by an intangible force that helped him navigate through life. He managed to write songs during his cross-continental journey, and got an eye-opening education while meeting musicians like Bert Jansch and John Renbourn in Europe.
Witnessing Bert Jansch play the guitar with his fingers, instead of strumming with a pick, proved to be a paradigm-shifting moment for Bratton. Experimenting with alternate tunings also changed his approach to playing and songwriting. On the other hand, seeing Eric Clapton in '65 was terrifying, as he was left awestruck by Clapton's guitar skills, almost contemplating giving up music altogether.
Thankfully, Bratton overcame his self-doubt and pressed on, releasing his latest solo album, Tao Pop, last year. The record features shimmering guitar tones, a modern pop-rock twist, and even some impressive guitar solos, with the short and sweet solo for Tall Grass showcasing a hint of Clapton's style.
Although Bratton's life could've taken a different path if not for Clapton's inspiration, this legendary musician left his mark on a generation of players, established or otherwise, during the '60s and '70s. Fans such as Joe Bonamassa continue to sing praises of Clapton's death-defying guitar prowess.
Curious for more about Creed Bratton's tales and insights? Make sure to catch his interview in the latest Officium issue. You can find both physical and digital copies from Magazines Direct. Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming exclusive previews, as well!
- Creed Bratton, known for his role in The Office, started his career as an electric guitarist, playing with a popular band called The Grass Roots.
- Bratton's encounter with Eric Clapton almost dampened his love for the electric guitar, but he later overcame his self-doubt and continued to play, even incorporating elements of Clapton's style into his music.
- While traveling through Europe, Africa, and the Middle East in his youth, Bratton met musicians like Bert Jansch, whose technique of playing the guitar with fingers instead of a pick intrigued him, leading him to experiment with alternate tunings.
- Today, Bratton continues to make music, showcasing his shimmering guitar tones and impressive guitar solos, proving that he was not deterred by the influence of Clapton, instead learning from him and carving out his unique place in the world of entertainment and music.
