Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristyn Harris.
Kristyn, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am a self-employed singer, guitar player, and songwriter. Growing up, I always had a creative side – I loved to write. In fact, I envisioned I would be an author or novelist when I grew up, which suited my introverted, shy tendencies to a T. None in my family were musically inclined, and I was exposed to a fairly limited range of music – so suffice to say, I never dreamed I’d end up in this profession. It just goes to show how it was all God’s plan from the start! I was an old soul, and growing up on a farm, I quickly became entranced with the singing cowboy westerns from the 1930s and 40s. It was the music from these, which had once been the rage all over America, that inspired me to decide to learn to play guitar. Initially, I was self-taught and very reluctant to let anyone hear me, including my own family. When I discovered a nonprofit organization known as the Cowtown Opry in the Fort Worth Stockyards, where they had a mentoring program for kids once a month, I suddenly had an opportunity to perform the songs I was practicing, and a goal to practice toward. I became a sponge, soaking up any and all musical knowledge that was available, and through the Cowtown Opry, I was able to gain performance experience, hone my skills, and surround myself with music professionals, all of which became the springboard for launching my own musical career.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It was a road paved with a whole lot of hard work, which goes for anything worth having, so I wouldn’t say it was a breeze. I also had to overcome my stage fright, shyness, and fear of failure, which were pretty big obstacles for me. But overall, I would say I had an easier time than many… it felt like it was a very blessed road, that kept opening up new doors and opportunities. I continued to meet and be surrounded with people who helped and encouraged me, even though I also ran into my share of those who wanted to see me fail. I think I was so focused and passionate on what I was doing that the little bumps didn’t bother me as much.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My music is unique – while I do play classic country and also write my own originals, I specialize in “Western Swing”, which doesn’t fit perfectly into a mainstream genre, although it’s a style that most people immediately like when they hear it. It can be classified as country music, but also sometimes as folk or even jazz. It specifically has a lot of roots in Texas history and heritage, and in the rural or agrarian lifestyle, which is a perspective and story that doesn’t always get told. I’m also known to be energetic when I play… the joy and electricity of the music takes over my whole body and I can’t help having fun and putting my all into every song.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love the way Fort Worth has retained its cowboy culture and heritage – even the cops still wear cowboy hats! It’s a city that makes sure you know you’re in the Lone Star State when you come visit. What I like least about it is probably the traffic!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kristynharris.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristyn_harris/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristynmusic
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/kristynmusic
Image Credits
Andrew Knowles
Ritz Mill
Alan Mercer
Aarom Meador
Donna King
