Mesa Woman to Perform at bookworm’s in Thatcher
Kim Wood contributing writer

     Singer/songwriter Ashley Harris of Mesa will perform and sign her debut CD, “Change My Heart,” on Saturday, April 3, at Bookworm’s Starlight Sale.
     Harris, 32, first realized her ability to sign at the age of 7. Her mom entered her into the school talent show where Harris performed a song by Olivia Newton John.
     “It was a scary thing, but I loved being on stage,” she said. Harris’ elementary school teacher also recognized her ability to sing and took Harris under her wing.
“I think it was her influence that really set my feet on the path to developing my talents in music. She believed in my ability, and I felt that support.”
     Harris didn’t lack encouragement from her parents, however. They weren’t st5rangers to stage performing. “My parents both had their fill of the show-biz life.”
     Harris’ mother was a successful model, and did commercials and films in the ‘60's while her father, Don Driggs, traveled all over the world with he performing family, the “King Family”-who were very popular back in the ‘50s and ‘60s.
     Although Driggs’ TV show wasn’t much talked about in their home, there were plenty of pictures on ;the walls to tell of his experience. Harris observed them many times in her youth and “subconsciously accepted that being a performer was a very tangible and acceptable profession.” Because of the picture and knowledge of her parents’ performing successes, Harris has always aspired to perform.
     Harris has always been a music lover. She sang in the junior high and high school choirs and participated in a few plays, but her music was put on the back burner when Harris became too busy with cheerleading and student government.
     Harris didn’t get her focus back on music until her freshman year at Brigham Young University. While there, she was surrounded by inspirational musicians. Her cousin released her debut album at the time, which really impressed Harris.
     She also met and lived across from an up-and-coming singer/songwriter, Hilary Weeks. These experiences brought about a strong desire in Harris to embark on a similar path. She enrolled in voice lessons and started her formal vocal performance training at BYU.
Harris also reintroduced piano lessons inter her life. She admits that she isn’t the best sight reader, but she loves to play piano, especially songs that she has composed.
     Later, at the age of 27, Harris learned to play her father’s guitar. It happened when she began to work on her first album in 2000. One of her co-writers was working with her on an arrangement for one of her songs. Harris sang the melody and her co-writer made up an arrangement on guitar. Harris immediately thought to herself, “I have got to learn guitar!”
     Her co-writer showed Harris the first few chords, and she took off from there. She wrote the rest of her songs for the album with guitar just six months later.
     Harris strongly advises to never give up.
     “We have to be patient and let things unfold in their own sweet time,” she said of her rejuvenated interest in music.
     Since the release of her album in 2001, Harris has performed in several different settings.
     She’s performed at church meetings and activities, weddings, house concerts, book stores, Christmas show and full-blown concerts with bands like Enoch Train and local choirs like the Arizona Mormon Choir.
     She’s also been involved in community efforts, such as performing at the American Mothers’ Convention and an Intel Benefit concert.
     Her favorite shows are those that she can perform with her band and play her guitar.
     “I love feeling the energy from the audience and experiencing the synergy of live music. What a rush!” she said.
     When asked what inspires her lyrics and musical melodies, Harris came up with many answers–nature, friends, family, heartache, a test of faith or a healing moment of self discovery. Sometimes she has an experience that touches her. Most of her inspiration comes from personal experiences.
     “I find a lot of healing comes from writing about my experiences in one way or another. I love the challenge of weaving my spiritual and everyday experiences into my song writing.” she said.
Most of Harris” music is described as inspirational with a mix of contemporary to keep things exciting and energizing and closer to the way real life is for me.
     “Music is a lifeline for me. I do not go a single day without listening to music. If sound or lyrics are degrading to me on a personal level, then I won’t listen to it,” Harris said.
     Harris performs for audiences of all kinds. When she does concerts, however, she appeals to the youth. Many youths have purchased Harris’ music, which warms her heart deeply.
     “I so desire for our youth to make good choices in entertainment, and I’m honored when they choose mine.”
     Harris produces and distributes music through her own recording and production company, Brighter Productions. She chooses to have more control and to take a slower pace while building a solid fan base in the Mesa area.
     She loves her husband, three children and her parents. They have been her support and mentors as she has “weathered the storms of insecurity, fear, and even, at times, failure.”
     Harris hopes to continue her inspirational music and will release her second album this summer. She hopes that her music can help make the world a better place.
     She said, “I know that when we don’t share our talents it can feel like we’re living inside an emotional prison. I have to let it out, and in doing so, I hope that others will benefit. I hope to affect as wide of an audience as possible with my music efforts. But whatever happens– as long as I’m singing and writing about the things in life that matter most to me– I’m happy,” Harris said.

 

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shley Harris is a LDS female vocalist and songwriter who packs a punch – with the spirit, that is. Her debut album is impacting lives with a ripple-effect of inspirational power. The album is entitled, Change My Heart. She has fascinated me as I’ve read her encouraging and supportive posts to other LDS musicians in the Yahoo LDSMusicians group. I asked her if she would share with us her pathway to her current success and any words of wisdom for those who aspire to do likewise. She wrote the following article for us entitled, “Owning Your Dreams.” Her words are worth reading, again and again.