Coming Home: Fort Worth Mayor Declares Leon Bridges Day

Fort Worth native Leon Bridges wrapped The Leon Tour in his hometown with a special concert on Friday night. Fort Worth mayor Mattie Parker appeared onstage at Dickies Arena and declared November 15 Leon Bridges Day.

Friday’s concert was Bridges’ largest headlining concert to date. Fellow Texan Charley Crockett and guitar duo Hermanos Gutiérrez were also on Friday’s lineup and both separately joined Bridges during his headlining set.

Hermanos Gutiérrez – sibling guitarists Alejandro Gutiérrez and Estevan Gutiérrez – were tasked with accompanying Bridges on a performance of “Mariella.” The song was originally recorded by Bridges with Khruangbin for their 2022 joint EP, Texas Moon.

Fort Worth-based musician and frequent Bridges collaborator Abraham Alexander joined the fray for a performance of “Ivy.” The track appeared on Bridges’ 2024 album, Leon.

Friday’s encore was interrupted by Mayor Parker, who addressed the audience to publicly declare Leon Bridges Day in Fort Worth. Speaking to Bridges’ hometown crowd, Parker stated:

“So the reason I’m up here tonight is because I think all of us feel this love and appreciation for this man to my left. There is no better ambassador to share the story of the city of Fort Worth, from the south side of our city. You feel it in his music, you know how he feels about his city. And so ladies and gentlemen from now on November 15th will be Leon Bridges Day in the City of Fort Worth. This is your city, Leon!

“And here’s what’s important to know ladies and gentlemen: it’s not just this man is selling out crowds across the U.S. – by the way, this is his first largest sold-out crowd right here in his hometown of Fort Worth, Texas – but thanks to the partnership he has with the Big Good and Gary and Kelsey Patterson, he has raised over $2.5 million for his city, Panther City, Fort Worth Texas.

“We love Leon Bridges. We are so proud and we cannot wait to see what he does next because importantly, he has sold out Dickie’s Arena tonight ladies and gentlemen!

“One more thing, I hope you saw Dickie’s Way was renamed Leon Bridges Way for the last few days – appropriately. This is a special night for Leon. You’re in for a treat. We’re gonna invite Charlie Crockett back out here and they’re gonna play a little song I think most of us here in Fort Worth, Texas will be familiar with.”

Crockett then emerged to join Bridges on a cover of George Strait’s local anthem, “Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind.” Click through Mayor Parker’s posts and watch footage of Bridges being honored in his hometown below.