We recently connected with Arthur Harris and have shared our conversation below.

Arthur, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I had always loved singing ever since I was a young child. I have fond memories of singing at my uncles church in Philadelphia, PA. Where my grandmother was huge influence on me. Once she passed I lost my way. I held on to that hurt for over 20 years and still wasn’t confident in sharing my joy of singing with others. It wasn’t until COVID, when I realized my voice had a purpose. A purpose to bring light to those in need and to speak a kind word to those who are weary. Once I realized that, I knew it was time to take the next step and pursue a singing career.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I want others to understand that I am continuously evolving as an artist, fully aware of my talent while humbly acknowledging room for growth. My artistic journey has been filled with challenges, but I am determined to overcome fear and strengthen my inner faith. I believe in the power of my God-given voice, which has the ability to bring healing, comfort, and hope to those who listen.

Realizing the profound impact my voice had on people took time. Initially, I enjoyed singing and receiving positive responses, but I didn’t fully grasp the transformative power it held. When I decided to pursue a vocal career, my focus was on financial gains, but my wife reminded me of the importance of purpose-driven creativity. Shifting my focus to writing with a purpose, to bring joy, solace, and love through my music, allowed my creativity to flow effortlessly.

As a father, husband, friend, singer, songwriter, and actor, I strive to be a beacon of light, shining to my highest capacity and positively impacting the lives of those around me. My journey is a constant work in progress, and I am committed to using my artistic gifts to make a difference in the world.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to let go of the idea that there’s a right or wrong way to perform; you just have to go for it and do your best. The concept of a right way or wrong way to perform held me back from many opportunities to use my voice in college. I had been performing on stages my entire childhood, believing that each rendition could be either right or wrong. My dedication drove me to diligently practice to perfect every note, striving for flawless execution. This belief would eventually stifle my growth as a performer for a season. It was my senior concert, the culmination of my high school journey. I had been looking forward to performing a duet and when the time came, I messed up. The audience didn’t notice, but I felt the weight of that mistake in my heart. I kept it to myself, silently beating myself up over the mistake. As the year ended, I couldn’t shake the fear of failure, and my confidence was shattered.
The weight of that high school performance mistake loomed over me, casting a long shadow on my college years. As a result, I missed out on numerous opportunities to sing, including chances to grace the stage at the NAACP conference. The impact of that high school performance mistake was further compounded during my college years when my music teacher insisted that I needed to sound like Pavarotti. The pressure to emulate such a renowned and iconic vocalist only intensified my fear of not measuring up. Feeling overwhelmed by the weight of expectations and the fear of not measuring up, I made a difficult decision—I quit the choir. It was a tough choice to make, but I knew I needed to take a step back and reevaluate my relationship with singing.
About a year after graduating from college I got a job at the Pentagon. This relocation brought me closer to my mom and uncle, leading me to rediscover the joy of singing in church without the pressure to impress. As I sang in church again, I felt a sense of freedom and joy that I hadn’t experienced in years. It was no longer about impersonating others or getting things right; instead, I sang from the heart, embracing the imperfections and letting the love for music guide my voice. The warmth of the church community, the support of my loved ones, and the newfound acceptance of my own uniqueness allowed me to blossom as a singer. I realized that music wasn’t about meeting unrealistic standards; it was about connecting with others and sharing something meaningful.
Since then, I have made a commitment to use my voice to inspire others, embracing opportunities even when fear lingers. I’ve come to realize that it’s not about getting it “right”; it’s about creating and singing with a passion that is uniquely my own, touching hearts with authenticity and agenuine expression.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the ability to share the journey with my family. Performing on stage and changing the atmosphere through my art brings immense joy. What truly makes it special is knowing that I have a positive impact on people with my voice. When my kids witness this, it fills me with pride and happiness. I find it truly inspiring that they see my passion and are encouraged to use their own gifts. Witnessing my child create his own cartoon series is nothing short of awesome, and it brings me so much joy to see my children embrace their creativity.

Moreover, the heartfelt feedback from people after my performances is incredibly gratifying. When individuals reach out to tell me that my singing brought comfort and lifted their spirits at a funeral, or how I made their birthday celebration special, it reaffirms that my art has the power to touch lives in meaningful ways. Knowing that I can bring solace, joy, and happiness to others through my voice is a privilege and a deeply fulfilling aspect of being an artist. The connections formed and the positive impact made on people’s lives through my art make this journey as an artist truly special and rewarding.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthur_harris4/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arthur.harris
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-harris
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXYKPwH-RIZ862oHuwfSFCA/featured

Image Credits
Prolific Photos The Event Photographer And Cinematographer https://www.instagram.com/prolificphotos/

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