Creed Bratton

Last updated
Creed Bratton
Creed Bratton 2019 (48474439927) CROPPED.jpg
Bratton at GalaxyCon Raleigh 2019
Background information
Birth nameWilliam Charles Schneider
Born (1943-02-08) February 8, 1943 (age 81)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer-songwriter
  • guitarist
  • actor
Instrument(s)
  • Guitar
  • vocals
Labels
Formerly of The Grass Roots
Website creedbratton.com

Creed Bratton (born William Charles Schneider, February 8, 1943) is an American actor, singer and musician. A former member of the rock band the Grass Roots, he is best known for playing a fictionalized version of himself on the NBC sitcom The Office, which earned him five nominations for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.

Contents

Early life and education

Bratton was born William Charles Schneider in Los Angeles, and grew up in Visalia, California, a small town near Sequoia National Park. [1]

Musical career

Early years

Bratton adopted his new name while on a global excursion as a traveling musician. He traveled through Europe, Africa and the Middle East. He played guitar at a large folk festival in Israel, appearing with his group the Young Californians. Fellow American and guitarist Warren Entner witnessed Bratton's performance and asked to give him a call when he got back to the United States. In 1966, they formed a partnership and recruited the remaining members needed for their group, the 13th Floor. Bratton played lead guitar, Rick Coonce played drums, Entner played rhythm guitar and Kenny Fukomoto played bass. The Young Californians recorded a demo and sent it to Dunhill, a new record company headed by Lou Adler.

The Grass Roots

Bratton playing at The Office Convention in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in 2007 The Office Convention 10-07 011.jpg
Bratton playing at The Office Convention in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in 2007

Producers/songwriters P. F. Sloan and Steve Barri heard the demo and liked it. They needed new band members for a folk-rock group that they had created in 1965. The 13th Floor lost their bass player to the draft during this time, and quickly recruited Rob Grill, changing the band's name to the "Grass Roots" for prior name recognition. The group went straight to the Top 10 with the song "Let's Live for Today" in 1967 and toured the United States. Iconic hit songs such as "Midnight Confessions" cemented the group's standing as major contributors to the rock-music scene. [2]

The Grass Roots had top songwriters offering their best songs to them and wrote many songs themselves. For their major songs, music on the recordings was played by the LA studio musicians known as the Wrecking Crew. [3] Bratton co-wrote the songs "Beatin' Round the Bush", "No Exit" and "Hot Bright Lights", and self-composed "Dinner for Eight" and "House of Stone". He sang lead vocals on "This Precious Time" and "Dinner for Eight". Bratton played with the group on its albums Let's Live for Today , Feelings , Golden Grass (a compilation) and Lovin' Things . Three of the albums charted, and Golden Grass received a gold record certification. He took part in ten of the group's singles, eight of which charted; "Midnight Confessions" received a gold record certification.

The Grass Roots played at the Fantasy Fair and Magic Mountain Music Festival on Sunday, June 11, 1967, during the "Summer of Love" as their top-ten hit "Let's Live for Today" was hitting the airwaves. [4] Though the music festival occurred before the Monterey Pop Festival, it was not filmed as was the latter festival (see List of electronic music festivals). On Sunday, October 27, 1968, the group played at the San Francisco Pop Festival and then played at the Los Angeles Pop Festival and Miami Pop Festival in December as the top-ten hit "Midnight Confessions" was becoming popular.

In April 1969, Bratton became frustrated by Dunhill's refusal to allow the band to write its own songs and play the instruments on its records (although the members did play alone at concerts). After a disastrous appearance at the Fillmore West in April 1969, Bratton was asked to leave the band. [3]

Solo years

In 2001 and 2002, Bratton released three albums showcasing his solo recordings since the 1960s with the assistance of Peter White. In 2007, he presented an induction award to the Wrecking Crew at the Musicians Hall of Fame. In 2008, he released another album of new music with producer Jon Tiven. In 2010, Bratton released an album titled "Bounce Back" with producer Dave Way. In 2011, Bratton released an album of greatest hits from his first three solo albums, titled "Demo". In 2010 and 2012, Bratton performed live at the SXSW festival. In 2013, Bratton released an original work in three acts as an audio biography titled Tell Me About It. Songs ranged from those recently written to pieces that he had written decades before. Bratton states that he listens to much jazz and classical music. [5]

On January 18, 2014, Bratton joined his friend Zachary Scot Johnson for a duet for the 500th consecutive day of the thesongadayproject on YouTube. [6]

Acting career

Bratton in 2009 Creed Bratton.jpg
Bratton in 2009

Bratton began to pursue an acting career in 1975. He has appeared in films such as Mask and Heart Like a Wheel . [7] He was a cast member, playing a fictional version of himself, on NBC's Emmy and SAG award-winning The Office . In a deleted scene from the episode "Booze Cruise", he speaks about his time with the Grass Roots. In Season 3 Episode 10 "A Benihana Christmas", Creed sings a karaoke rendition of his song "Spinnin' N Reelin'" during the Christmas party. In a deleted scene from Season 3 Episode 21 "Product Recall", the reporter from the Scranton Times recognizes him as Creed Bratton from the band the Grass Roots and mentions that he wrote his obituary. In the episode "Money", he says "he never goes bankrupt", as all his debt "is always transferred to William Charles Schneider" (which is his birth name), while holding an allegedly fake passport on camera. In the series finale, his character is revealed to be a part of Grass Roots, and was arrested after being a wanted fugitive living at the Dunder Mifflin office. This episode also features Bratton performing his song "All the Faces".

In 2008, he appeared in a short film with Kyle Gass titled Just One Of The Gynos, which won an award for best short film at the 2008 Malibu International Film Festival. He appeared in the feature film Labor Pains in 2009. His recent film projects are The Ghastly Love of Johnny X , written, produced and directed by Paul Bunnell; I Am Ben, written, produced and directed by Mathew Brady and Gaelan Connell; and Terri produced by David Guy Levy. Terri was selected by the Sundance Film Festival 2011 to appear in the US dramatic competition. It was one of only 16 films selected from 1,102 submissions to the US dramatic category. [8] In 2012, he appeared as special guest star in Staged with Brandon Olive who appeared with him in Just One Of The Gynos. In 2013, he starred in Saving Lincoln, a biography set during the American Civil War. [7]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1983 Heart Like a Wheel Photographer
1985 Mask Carnival Ticket Taker
1987The Wild PairDalton
1988 Seven Hours to Judgment Subway Worker
1991 Neon City Guard at NeonAlso worked as a grip
2006The ManualMaj. EdwardsShort film
2008Just One Of The GynosDr. Gus Callery
2009Remembering NigelHimself
2011I Am BenDr. Cobb
2011 Terri Uncle James
2012 The Ghastly Love of Johnny X Mickey O'Flynn
2012 The Guilt Trip Suitor
Melvin Smarty
2013 Saving Lincoln Senator Charles Sumner
2015 Band of Robbers Dobbins
The Sound of MagicSRC
2018 The Sisters Brothers Quarrel Saloon Guy Town 2

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1967 The Hollywood Palace Himself (guest)
1967–1969 American Bandstand 4 episodes
1968 With Six You Get Eggroll
1969It's HappeningEpisode: "The Grassroots"
Playboy After Dark
1975 Kolchak: The Night Stalker Man Entering LabEpisode "Primal Scream"
1977 Quincy M.E. Young ManEpisode "No Deadly Secret"
Eight is Enough Episode "Mortgage Burnin' Blues"
1986 The Magical World of Disney Court ClerkEpisode: "A Fighting Choice"
1987U.S. Marshals: Waco & RhinehartAgent Jones Television film
1994Secret Sins Of The FatherGas Station Worker Television film
2005–2013 The Office Creed Bratton Recurring role; Seasons 1–3
Main cast; 4–9
SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (1)
Nominated- SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (5)
2003–2004; 2006 The Bernie Mac Show Piano Player

French Horn Player Funeral Home Employee

Episode "Leaving Los Angeles"

Episode "Mac-Inations" Episode "Bernie's Angels"

2007–2008 Today Himself (guest)2 episodes
2008 Celebrity Family Feud Himself (guest)Episode: "The Office vs. American Gladiators, Hickeys vs. Camden County"
2010 The Forgotten GuyEpisode: "Double Doe"
Funny or Die Presents Himself4 episodes
2012 Liz & Dick Darryl Zanuck Television film
2014 Adventure Time Phlannel BoxingdayEpisode: "Lemonhope Part Two"
Franklin & Bash Judge Patrick SemmerEpisode: "Kershaw v. Lincecum"
Garfunkel and Oates Kazoo ManEpisode: "Maturity"
2015 Comedy Bang! Bang! GrandfatherEpisode: "Ty Burrell Wears a Chambray Shirt & Clear Frame Glasses"
Grace and Frankie SethEpisode: "The Bachelor Party"
2017The New V.I.P.'sCharlie Television film
2019Hello RealtorSalEpisode: "Pilot"
Into the Dark George AtwoodEpisode: "Culture Shock"
2020 Upload Rupert TilfordEpisode: "The Funeral"

Web

YearTitleRoleNotes
2008The Office: The Outburst Creed Bratton 4 episodes
2009The Office: Blackmail
2010The Office: The MentorEpisode: "Reimbursements"
The Office: The 3rd FloorEpisode: "The Final Product"
In Gayle We Trust Denny Potter2 episodes
2011The Office: The Podcast Creed Bratton 3 episodes
2012StagedVillainEpisode: "Gym Class Heroes"
2017The New V.I.P.'sCharlie

Video games

YearTitleRole
2011 World Gone Sour Narrator (voice)
2020 Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Emerson Black (voice)

Discography

Singles

Release dateTitleFlip sideRecord LabelChart Positions
US Billboard US Cashbox UK
1967 Let's Live for Today Depressed FeelingDunhill85
Things I Should Have SaidTip Of My TongueDunhill2336
Wake Up, Wake UpNo ExitDunhill6861
1968Melody For YouHey FriendDunhill123120
FeelingsHere's Where You BelongDunhill118
Midnight Confessions ++Who Will You Be TomorrowDunhill55
Bella Linda Hot Bright LightsDunhill2820
1969Melody For YouAll Good Things Come To An EndDunhill
Lovin' Things You And Love Are The SameDunhill4935
The River Is Wide (You Gotta) Live For LoveDunhill3116

++ - Gold Record - RIAA Certification

Albums

Release dateTitleRecord LabelChart Positions
US Billboard US Cashbox UK
1967 Let's Live for Today Dunhill7569
1968 Feelings Dunhill
Golden Grass ++Dunhill2525
1969 Lovin' Things Dunhill7358
2001Chasin’ The BallKindred
The 80’sKindred
2002CoarsegoldKindred
2008Creed BrattonKindred
2010Bounce BackKindred
2011DemoKindred
2018While The Young Punks DanceAlien Chicken
2020Slightly AlteredAlien Chicken

++ - Gold Record - RIAA Certification

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<i>Lovin Things</i> 1969 studio album by the Grass Roots

Lovin' Things is the fourth album by American rock group the Grass Roots. The album was originally released by Dunhill Records in 1969. The album charted at No. 73. It contained only two songs composed by the group. The album was intended to take the group into a soulful direction that was being rewarded by charting singles. The A- and B-side singles released were "Lovin' Things", "The River Is Wide", "(You Gotta) Live for Love" and "Fly Me to Havana". At the end of this run, "I'd Wait a Million Years" was released as an A side and became the group's next charting single, appearing on their next album, Leaving It All Behind.

<i>Golden Grass</i> 1968 greatest hits album by the Grass Roots

Golden Grass is the first greatest hits album by the American rock band the Grass Roots, released in November 1968 by Dunhill Records. The LP's release in the fall of 1968 followed the success of the group's highest-charting single, "Midnight Confessions". It featured a song written by Carole King and Toni Stern titled "Lady Pleasure", which was previously unreleased by the group, as well as a new single, "Bella Linda", which was originally written by the Italian songwriting duo of Lucio Battisti and Mogol. The Grass Roots' version of the song, which was given English lyrics by Barry Gross and Steve Barri, charted at No. 28. Golden Grass is the highest charting Grass Roots album at #25, and was certified gold by the RIAA in 1970.

<i>Leaving It All Behind</i> 1969 studio album by the Grass Roots

Leaving It All Behind is the fifth studio album by the American rock band the Grass Roots, released in November 1969 by Dunhill Records. Following the departure of Creed Bratton, who left in April 1969, seasoned musician Dennis Provisor joined the group solidifying the new direction of the band. Terry Furlong and Brian Naughton became alternating touring guitarists for the group. In a return to grace for the group member composers, it contained six songs written by the group. The album was intended to move the group further in a soulful direction that was being rewarded by more charting singles. The A and B side singles released were "I'd Wait a Million Years", "Heaven Knows" b/w "Don't Remind Me", and "Walking Through The Country" b/w "Truck Drivin' Man". At the end of this run "Something's Comin' Over Me" was released as a B side to "Come On And Say It", a charting single written by the group that appeared on the band's next compilation album, More Golden Grass. The album charted at No. 36, making it the group's highest-charting studio album.

<i>Move Along</i> (The Grass Roots album) 1972 studio album by The Grass Roots

Move Along is the sixth studio album by the American rock group the Grass Roots. The album was released in 1972 and charted at No. 86. It was the last of the group's albums to chart on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart. The album marked the departures of longtime drummer Rick Coonce and keyboardist Dennis Provisor from the group, though Provisor still contributed to the album both as a performer (uncredited) and as a composer. The A- and B-side singles released were "Two Divided by Love", "Glory Bound" b/w "Only One", "The Runway" b/w "Move Along", and "Anyway the Wind Blows" b/w "Monday Love". Later, the song "Someone to Love" was released as the B side to the song "Love Is What You Make It", which appeared on the band's following album, Alotta Mileage.

References

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  2. Boone, Brian. "Whatever happened to Creed from The Office?". looper.com. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  3. 1 2 Hartman, Kent (2012). The Wrecking Crew . New York: St. Martin's Press. pp.  169–172. ISBN   978-0-312-61974-9.
  4. Newman, Jason. "The Untold and Deeply Stoned Story of the First U.S. Rock Festival". rollingstone.com. Rolling Stone, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media, LLC. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  5. "Creed Bratton: From His First Guitar to 'The Office' Finale. Telling Us About It. – Farah Joan". Laparadiddle.com. 2013-04-28. Archived from the original on 2014-01-17. Retrieved 2016-05-24.
  6. "(500) Zachary Scot Johnson & Creed Bratton Chained To The Blues thesongadayproject The Office". YouTube. 2014-01-18. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2016-05-24.
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