So, I’m checking back into my hotel after rehearsal tonight and I’m exhausted.  I landed in Sydney this morning after a flight that felt like it was 37 days long, took some notes and went to rehearsal. If you were to ask me what time I feel like it is right now, the answer would be “175 b’glock”. The guy at the front desk asks what kind of guitar I have in my case?  ”Is it a Gibson?” My initial response was almost something snarky, but for some reason, I swallowed all my asshole responses  and replied, “Yes, actually it is a Gibson.  Do you play?”.  He said he did but he “wasn’t a professional” like me. He asked if he could see the guitar and I figured “why not” even though all I wanted to do was get my key and sleep.  He then proceeded to play “Message In A Bottle”, “Do Do Do Do, Da Da Da Da Da” and “can’t Get Enough of Your Love” and “Shooting Star” for me.  I got my own little concert in the lobby. Never had that happen before.  Awesome. Here’s to rock n’roll, the great facilitator. Here’s to you Louis. Rock on 
March 14, 2013

So, I’m checking back into my hotel after rehearsal tonight and I’m exhausted.  I landed in Sydney this morning after a flight that felt like it was 37 days long, took some notes and went to rehearsal. If you were to ask me what time I feel like it is right now, the answer would be “175 b’glock”.

The guy at the front desk asks what kind of guitar I have in my case?  ”Is it a Gibson?” My initial response was almost something snarky, but for some reason, I swallowed all my asshole responses  and replied, “Yes, actually it is a Gibson.  Do you play?”.  He said he did but he “wasn’t a professional” like me.

He asked if he could see the guitar and I figured “why not” even though all I wanted to do was get my key and sleep.  He then proceeded to play “Message In A Bottle”, “Do Do Do Do, Da Da Da Da Da” and “can’t Get Enough of Your Love” and “Shooting Star” for me.  I got my own little concert in the lobby. Never had that happen before.  Awesome.

Here’s to rock n’roll, the great facilitator.

Here’s to you Louis.

Rock on 

This is gonna be true love.  I can feel it.
March 5, 2013

This is gonna be true love.  I can feel it.

Any plans to work with DBII soon?

yes.

stay tuned.

December 23, 2012 Spotify

Yeah, I said it.  

And I’d be lying if I said that I only listened to this during the Christmas season.  The truth of the matter is that these Duke Ellington arrangements of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite are the epitome of swing, sophistication and celebration and I reference them all year long.  

It’s just that now I get to to it at trunk rattling volume.

I had to choose just one for this post, but the whole Suite is RIDICULOUS.

Yeah, Donny’s “This Christmas” is still my all time favorite song to sing.  It is attached to so many Christmas memories.  It’s like the hood’s version of “The Christmas Song”.  But with very few exceptions, I end up hearing somebody butchering his classic, so it has lost a bit of it’s luster.

No one can touch Duke though, so he wins on technicality.

Happy Holidays.  

From me and my King of Swing

August 24, 2012

Live at War Memorial Auditorium

DRH+David Ryan Harris+Still Be Loving You+Mom+Singer Songwriter+Soul+
R.I.P. (where the ‘R’ stands for Rock) We have dreams and sounds in our heads.  You help give them flight. To have created something that is as much the face of rock music as the guitar itself is truly remarkable.  Your genius and (our indebtedness) cannot be overstated.
April 5, 2012


R.I.P.

(where the ‘R’ stands for Rock)

We have dreams and sounds in our heads.  You help give them flight.

To have created something that is as much the face of rock music as the guitar itself is truly remarkable.  Your genius and (our indebtedness) cannot be overstated.

April 5, 2012

A Youtube search for Sly Stone turns up a bunch of bullshit.  No one would care about his “downfall” if he weren’t a genius in the first place.  

This video should be 1 of the top 5 hits for his name.

But for some reason, we like to watch the car crash

Sly Stone+Mike Douglas+
thank you for your music. "don't look down," especially, has been the light breaking through stormclouds in my life for many years. also, my dad once shook your hand in portland and it's a story that's pretty famous with anybody who knows my dad, because he tells it often and i like to do impressions of him telling the story. :)

I can’t wait to meet you so I can see you do the impression!

Is all fair in love and war?

Unfortunately, I think it’s true.

April 4, 2012

“Junkie” background vocals, brought to you by the one and only Nikka Costa #lightyears

Light Years+DRH+Nikka+Studio+
March 5, 2012

Getting my “B & R LIVE!” game together.

February 13, 2012

Photos by Askew II.

Tracking. Los Angeles, CA  The Village Thursday February 2, 2012

Recording with John Mayer and Chad Franscoviak.  John and I are both wrapping up our respective records.  He hadn’t heard any of mine.  I hadn’t heard his. We each gushed about the other’s.  There must be something in the water because there are so many similarities in tone and intent between the two records.  While JM was playing guitar on “Our Day” here in LA, India.Arie was singing on the same song in Seattle, so if you felt a shift in the universe, I think I know why. 

Had I rushed the making/releasing this record, I would never have had the opportunity to have two of my favorite artists add their magic to my songs. I guess haste really does make waste.  Mom was right after all.

I’m about 10 lines away from done.

Songs recorded:  ”Our Day”, “I Can’t Wait To See You”, “Sunshine Of This Love”

When are you coming to Chicago? That's what I want to know. :D

not soon enough, but certainly not until your weather is reasonable.  

Does your J45 Retro have a name?? You know like some people give their cars??

The J45 doesn’t have a name.  I have two guitars that have names:  

A tobacco sunburst Masterbuilt Fender Strat named Simone, which is a nickname for for my wife.  It has her autograph in gold leaf on the back of the headstock.

and, a 1949 Martin 0017 named Brownie, because its…….

(wait for it)

Brown

Etta.

January 20, 2012

No doubt, you’ll see countless tributes to Etta James upon her passing today.  Everyone will talk about her blues and soul records.  Quite a few will talk about how they danced to “At Last” at their wedding. For me, the true power of her soulfulness is showcased on the “Second Time Around” record from 1961.  Marvel at her Playfulness.  Her Power.  Her Joyfulness.  Her Aching.  Her Fearlessness. Though some would scoff at her singing over these types of arrangements, I think it shows true, deep and utter soul to bring what she brings on these 10 songs.  

This record has had a profound effect on me, very much like Ray Charles’ explorations with Country music.

I hear this record and I always envision a 23 year old Etta in the studio in 1961, feeling maybe a little out of place, seemingly in the shadow of this huge band and orchestra….just KILLING it.

Soul music can come from anywhere you want it to.  

Thank you, Etta.

For sharing your gift.

For baring such SOUL.

They won’t make ‘em like you anymore.

Rock on.  Rock On.