Artist Story: Anne Harris

Anne Harris, Singer/Songwriter

I feel that success, in its broadest terms, means to be engaged in work that feeds the soul and nourishes the spirit. I began my professional music career playing in a popular Chicago cover band for several years. This opportunity afforded me the luxury of being able to support myself solely through my art. It was during this time that I began songwriting with the intention of someday starting my own project. I was extremely conscientious about utilizing that time to really hone my vision of what I wanted to do and how I wanted to do it. I made professional contacts- other musicians, club owners, booking agents, etc.--in addition to learning the landscape of Chicago's vibrant music scene. It was a very intense period of learning during which I was able to formulate a game plan to help springboard me into my own project.

When I started my band, I was able to parlay my popularity from my cover band days into a profitable and viable business. My strategy was to initially play in mostly non-music venues where I would be paid guarantees and where I could essentially have paid rehearsals for my musicians. Working "in the trenches” like that allowed me to really hone my skills and expand my catalogue of material, all while being sort of off the radar. In addition, I was able to sustain an income, build up my email list, and most importantly work on our sound as a band--as a collective. I always kept in mind the bigger picture of how I wanted to evolve as an artist. And this bigger vision, beyond the gig-to-gig mentality, kept me focused and disciplined.

I released my first CD during the second year of my solo career and at that point, I began working with a booking agent who had a small roster of high profile artists. This partnership was an invaluable next step, as I was now able to get my foot in the door at some of Chicago's most respectable music venues. I began opening for some nationally known artists as well as popular local artists and I was booking festivals as well. This plugged me into me larger and more varied audiences and I was able to expand my reach and scope.

I feel my great fortune at being able to sustain a career as a musician has a lot to do with my patience and perseverance. My intention has always been to continually expand artistically, and I have complete faith that if you challenge yourself to consciously explore new terrain you will grow and your art will reflect that growth.

I now have 3 CD's out, all independently produced on my own label, Rugged Road Records, and have sold well over 5,000 copies all based on word of mouth and live performances. I have played to untold thousands of people over the years, garnering a strong fan base. I am currently recording a new studio record and I will be releasing a live CD in the next few months.

There are really myriad ways to define a successful music career. For me, music, art, and life really are all about process. And my own personal view of whether or not I am achieving success depends fully on my ability to stay grounded and present in the process of creation and lend my energy completely to the process. It is only through conscious participation in the present moment--living in the 'now-- are we in flow, and our art becomes a byproduct of that flow. When work is approached with that honesty I believe it resonates with an audience and gives the artist a capacity for longevity and a universality.

I feel successful when I am able to honestly connect with my present moment, which is what channeling is all about to me; to be able to step out of my attachment to the past and release my projections of the future and simply allow for the experience of being present. It is a constant challenge for me, but when I do achieve that state of openness whether in writing, performing, or recording I succeed in getting out of my own way and hopefully participating in a truthful moment. This is what we look to art to do. Art engages us with a resonant truth. And when art succeeds in this endeavor, it has the ability to help us to learn, grow, and transcend.



Anne Harris’ songs frequently sound born of a spiritual awakening," said the Chicago Tribune. An independent singer/songwriter and fiddle player with a unique sonic signature, Anne has produced 3 CDs of her own music and is currently working on a new studio CD and a live record. She has received national radio airplay in over 80 markets, and was recently featured in an artist profile on the Chicago Public Radio program, "848." Her music has been heard on TED Airlines in-flight radio, and she was awarded Album Artwork of the Year honors at the 2006 DIY Music Festival in LA.

She is currently serving a term as Governor of the Chicago chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Anne plays the character "Prudence" on Noggin's smash hit children's show "Jack's Big Music Show."