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David Ryan Harris

 
Artist: David Ryan Harris
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See David Ryan Harris Lyrics
  • Active: '90s, 2000s
  • Genres: Rock
  • Instrument: Guitar, Producer, Vocals
  • Representative Albums: "David Ryan Harris," "Bittersweet"

Biography

Singer/songwriter David Ryan Harris has been challenging mainstream notions of black performers since fronting the Atlanta-based rock group Follow for Now in the late '80s. Once tabbed as the next Living Colour, the band actually drew from an even wider stylistic palette -- everything from Stevie Wonder-style soul to Bad Brains thrash to bluebeat bounce -- but didn't enjoy similar success and broke up after releasing one eponymous album on Chrysalis in 1991. Harris then played a huge role in the success of another black artist bucking pigeonholes: ex-Arrested Development vocalist Dionne Farris, whose 1995 debut, Wild Seed -- Wild Flower, featured Harris' production and guitar work. Harris also served as musical director of Farris' live band before starting his own solo career in 1997, signing to producer Brendan O'Brien's 57 imprint (O'Brien was an old friend who'd produced some Follow for Now demos in his pre-Pearl Jam and Rage Against the Machine days) at Columbia Records and releasing his first, self-titled solo outing. The album, which featured contributions from O'Brien and Harris on a variety of instruments, was as hard to classify as Harris' previous work and proved as difficult a sell, despite much critical praise. But rather than make a solo follow-up, Harris instead joined forces with former Black Crowes bassist Johnny Colt and drummer Kenny Cresswell to form the Brand New Immortals, a power trio that generated substantial buzz with a six-song EP, once again produced by O'Brien, before signing with Elektra. The group released its full-length debut, Tragic Show, in 2001, but once again, commercial success proved elusive. The band believed Elektra hadn't properly promoted the album and in early 2002, Harris announced Brand New Immortals had broken up and that he was returning to solo work. ~ Dan LeRoy, All Music Guide
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Wikipedia: David Ryan Harris
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Home > Library > Miscellaneous > Wikipedia
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 3 sons: Miles, Life, and River. He is represented exclusively by Jim Phelan and Jerimaya Grabher at Global Positioning Services in Santa Monica, CA.

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. Image courtesy of Nick Nanton


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 Rock Boat music festival from 2007-2009.


In March 2009, Harris performed with Australian musician Guy Sebastian at SXSW, Austin Texas.[4] Harris played on and produced Sebastian's next studio album "Like It Like That" which is being released in the US early in 2010.[5] He also performed with Steve Cropper and Sebastian at the 9th NON-COMMvention in Philadelphia in May 2009.[6] 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 (album). In 2006, Harris co-wrote two songs with Sebastian on his third album Closer to the Sun (Guy Sebastian album). In 2009, Harris co-wrote "Like it Like That" with Sebastian. Harris also played on and produced this single which has just gone #1 in Australia on the Aria Charts [7]

David has also played guitar on the album, 'Who I Am' from Nick Jonas And The Administration which is scheduled for release February 2nd 2010, but a third former New Power Generation member, Sonny Thompson, will replace him for live shows.

Notes

  1. ^ dreamsawake.com - Interview - David Ryan Harris
  2. ^ Amazon.com: Tragic Show: Music: Brand New Immortals
  3. ^ David Ryan Harris @ Awarestore.com
  4. ^ http://www.undercover.com.au/News-Story.aspx?id=7869
  5. ^ Undercover article
  6. ^ WXPN Music Blog. Radio Video #33 - The 2009 NonCOMMvention. June 8 2009
  7. ^ ARIA Charts ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart September 7 2009 Retrieved Sept 6 2009

External links


This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

 
 

 

Copyrights:

Artist. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more
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