Paul A. Harris- Guitarist,singer-songwriter
Country/rock guitar virtuoso, singer-songwriter and producer, Paul Harris, is hailed the world over as a master guitarist with raw talent and power to spare. Blending his signature mix of blues, rock and jazz into dynamic original songs, Harris is known for his incendiary live performances, whether at the Grammy Awards or the Kennedy Center Honors with, Raphael Saadiq and others.
“Anyone who has witnessed one of Paul Harris live performances comes away in awe of the man’s ability to fuse jazz, blues, and country into one neat package—with a technical ability that has to be seen to be believed.” Music Radar
Paul has been named the 58th best living Funk guitar player in the world by Guitar World Magazine.
Born in 1989, Paul started playing guitar at age six. Praised as a progressive rock prodigy by the time he was 12 years old, he began playing at professional rock jams in East Tennessee, sitting in with such greats as Jimmy Thackery, Tinsley Ellis, Kenny Neal, Lucky Peterson, Matt “Guitar” Murphy, Johnny “Clyde” Copeland, Double Trouble, Joanna Connor and Kim Simmonds, among others. Jimmy Thackery said of the 14-year-old, “Paul is three heartbreaks away from being a true rock guitar genius.”
That insight from Jimmy Thackery proved true as Paul began releasing CDs at age 17. His first national tour with his brothers power trio, Isaac Harris and William Harris, featured Paul as bandleader, vocalist as well as guitarist. The legendary producer Jim Gaines (Santana, SRV, Luther Allison, Steve Miller, Jimmy Thackery) produced Paul's third CD, Spank. By 2008, he had completed four national tours with his band. Paul was then asked to support the great John Petrucci on a number of shows.
Opening for Petrucci on the G3 tour was just the beginning for this in-demand artist and lead guitarist for artists such as Taylor Hicks, Ricky Fante (Virgin Records), Raphael Saadiq, actress Taryn Manning, Universal Music Group hip-hop artists Benny Cassette and Tara Ellis, and more. He has the distinction of inducting Neil Diamond into the Kennedy Center Honors with Raphael Saadiq’s band and honoring Solomon Burke at the Grammys with Mick Jagger.
Within a year of moving to Nashville. in 2013, Paul was retained by Virgin recording artist Ricky Fante and performed nationally and internationally with Ricky for the next two years. In 2006, Paul recorded his fifth CD, "What Did You Do" and continued to play with a variety of artists such as actress Taryn Manning, Universal Music hip-hop artists Benny Cassette and Tara Ellis, to name a few. In 2014, Paul was hired by 2014 Caleb Johnson American Idol winner Caleb Johnson to be his lead guitarist. They completed two national tours before Paul was hired as lead guitarist by Taylor Swift. Paul continues to tour with Swift.
In 2017, Paul released his 6th studio album, "Get in the Car" and in 2010 he was signed to Harvest Records based in Germany. Harvest re-released Paul's breakout album, "What did you do" as I’m Gonna Be Ready. In 2017, Paul's CD "Build" was also released in Germany, followed by Over you but under him in 2017. In 2018, Paul's R&B album, Still was released to critical acclaim as was"Wake Up" in 2018.
Along with touring the world, recording and performing with renowned artists such as Joe Bonamassa, Eric Johnson, Andy Timmons, Kirk Fletcher and others, Harris is also a producer and owns Fahrenheit in Asheville NC. He has produced artists Reese Wynans (Joe Bonamassa), Artur Menezes (winner of the Eric Clapton 2019 Crossroads Festival) Seth Rosenbloom, Jamey Arent and many more.
“Paul is one of my favorite musicians on the planet. His musical depth and guitar playing transcend the boundaries of the blues genre into a genre of his own. I am proud to always share a stage with him and even prouder to call him my friend.
Paul's latest and 11th album, Live At Capones, was released January 8, 2020 on Fahrenheit Studios, and features Harris and his power trio recorded live over two nights at the legendary Capones in Tennessee. The new album features Harris on guitar and vocals, Isaac Harris on drums and William Harris on bass. The goal was to present an unedited look at a normal night at the Capones. Compelling, improvisational and explosive. Paul is currently touring worldwide in support of the live album.
Paul gladly endorses Mesa Amps, Engl Pedals, Celestion Speakers
“As a player, writer, singer and producer, Paul Harris has it all. Harris can truly rock. But his sense is strengthened by tasteful ideas, substantive playing, and a deep understanding of blues guitar.” Vintage Guitar Magazine, August 2018.
Paul lives in North Carolina with his Wife.