- David Ryan Harris
-
January 2005, left to right: David Ryan Harris, John Mayer and Steve Jobs at Macworld 11, SF Moscone Center.
David Ryan Harris is an Atlanta, Georgia based singer-songwriter. Born in Evanston, Illinois, Harris moved to Atlanta at a young age. Harris has had a varied career as a musician. He is married and has 4 sons: Miles, Life, River, and Truman.
Contents
Influences
Harris has cited artists including Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, and Prince as influences.[1] His solo music ranges in genre from folk to Rhythm and Blues.
Career
Follow for Now
Harris has been performing on stage since the 1980s when he served as frontman for the Atlanta rock group Follow for Now. Harris' eclectic taste in music is apparent in the band's music, which shows influences ranging from Motown to thrash metal. Follow for Now was given a record deal through Chrysalis Records and after working with producer Brendan O'Brien, released an unsuccessful self-titled album. The band members parted ways in 1994.
Solo career
After a short period out of the limelight, Harris began working as a producer and featured guitarist with Dionne Farris, a former vocalist from hip-hop group Arrested Development. Harris’ guitar work can be heard throughout Farris’ 1995 album Wild Seed, Wild Flower.
Harris worked with Farris until he launched his solo career in 1997. He reunited with Brendan O'Brien and was signed to Columbia Records, where the two would produce Harris’ solo debut. While the album was praised by critics, Harris’ range of musical influences made the album difficult to sell and he soon moved on to his next project.
After the breakup with The Brand New Immortals in 2002, he continued going solo. He released two more albums : Soulstice (2003) and The Bittersweet (2006)
Brand New Immortals
Still working with O’Brien, Harris united with drummer Kenny Creswell and former bassist of the Black Crowes Johnny Colt, Harris created the trio Brand New Immortals. The group released a successful 6 track EP and were signed to Elektra Records. In 2001, the trio produced a full length album entitled Tragic Show,[2] which the band felt that Elektra did not properly promote. Early the next year the band broke up and Harris returned to the pursuit of success as a solo artist.
Recent Work
David Ryan Harris and Guy Sebastian performing at a BMI showcase at SXSW March 2009.While Harris continues to promote his solo act, he can frequently be seen on stage performing with artists such as John Mayer (with whom Harris is currently on tour), Dave Matthews, and Santana.[3] Along with artists such as Sister Hazel, Better Than Ezra, and Collective Soul, Harris has also performed on The Rock Boat music festival from 2002-2009.
In March 2009, Harris performed with Australian musician Guy Sebastian at SXSW, Austin Texas.[4] He also performed with Steve Cropper and Sebastian at the 9th NON-COMMvention in Philadelphia in May 2009.[5] Harris and Sebastian have had a long association. In 2004, Guy Sebastian recorded "Sweetest Berry" which is a David Ryan Harris written song on Sebastian's second album Beautiful Life. In 2006, Harris co-wrote two songs with Sebastian on his third album Closer to the Sun. In 2009, Harris co-wrote the single "Like it Like That" with Sebastian. Harris played on and produced this #1 single which was the highest selling Australian artist single in 2009.[6][7] Harris played on and produced Sebastian's followup album Like It Like That which is being released in the US in 2010.[8]
David has also played guitar on the album, Who I Am from Nick Jonas And The Administration which was released on February 2, 2010, but former New Power Generation bassist Sonny Thompson will replace him for live shows.
Notes
- ^ dreamsawake.com - Interview - David Ryan Harris
- ^ Amazon.com: Tragic Show: Music: Brand New Immortals
- ^ David Ryan Harris @ Awarestore.com
- ^ http://www.undercover.com.au/News-Story.aspx?id=7869
- ^ WXPN Music Blog. Radio Video #33 - The 2009 NonCOMMvention. June 8 2009
- ^ Top 50 Australian Artist Singles 2009 Retrieved January 7, 2010
- ^ ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2009 Retrieved January 7, 2010
- ^ Undercover article
External links
Categories:- Living people
- African American musicians
- American rock singer-songwriters
- American rock guitarists
- People from Evanston, Illinois
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