Nashville-June 2007... My longtime friend Tandy Rice, the Dean of the George Jones University,  Franklin TN, invited me to talk to the class about artist managers and management during the June 2007 session.  A pretty little blond-haired girl from Texas was one of the students chosen by Dean Rice to perform during a break and she took the stage with confidence and took it over with two classics.... 

We weren’t looking to add an artist to our roster, as a matter of fact I was thinking of cutting back to spend more time sailing. The young Texan was Ms. Danielle Reed--her strong stage presence and very low vocal register reached out and grabbed me. I wasn’t thinking about sailing when I went to the table where she and her Mother were sitting; I asked if I could sit and visit.  She very graciously agreed and during the visit I asked the 16 year-old what she liked to do for a pastime.  She quickly answered, “I like to sweat,” and the answer took me back a step or two. Seeing she had floored me laughingly she explained:  “I like to work; I love cutting grass with a push mower and working the dirt. I help my Grandfather run cows and work on his ranch when I can!”  With that said and what I observed on stage, I asked if she was interested in management representation, both said yes. With Daughter and Mother’s permission, I immediately arranged a quick studio visit for a vocal sampling.

The chosen song was a guy thing and the track wasn’t in her key but she stayed with the program through some long hours--over and over again. Her determination did not waver nor did the attitude... I liked her voice but loved her attitude. I might get thumped but she was also wearing metal braces which made her phrasing more difficult. Her pitch and timing was right on and she played pretty good guitar plus fiddle, but it was her attitude and determination that removed any doubt I may have had regarding her young age. My business partner Jennifer, who is also my wife, and I decided we would make the addition to our management stable provided all things were compatible.

We had many conversations with the Reeds during the next month or two before we firmed our decision with Danielle and her family. Finally, to Danielle’s delight, a mutual decision was made on management and also to do a session in Nashville. Then the search for songs started and after listening to a hundred or so... we found a few that were good for her and strongly considered them.  One day I was at the pier where we docked our boat and I ran into Jimmy Compton, a seasoned songwriter whom I had not seen for 10 or 12 years.  After catching up with time, I told him what we were looking for ... three days later he submitted five songs for consideration. We cut three of the five... “Follow Me” was chosen to be released as Danielle’s first single... One of the other two will be her second single release... we will tell you about that later.

I called John Carter Cash at the Cash Cabin Studio in Hendersonville, TN, and asked him to help produce her.  I gave him Danielle’s bio and cuts of the songs we were considering.  He and I discussed the arrangements and he agreed to do the project. Danielle came to Nashville on January 1^st, we finished the main studio work by the 4th and she flew back to Texas on the 5th. 

During the session she had a studio and musical support team second to no one in the industry. John Carter was lead producer; Chuck Turner, Engineer/producer on the board and myself (Rod Harris), the executive producer... Jenn Harris was administrative and my back-up ears--she is an accomplished pianist and pipe organist. All of the pickers are seasoned “A Team” musicians with their own claim to fame, having worked the road and studios with more credits than we have room to name... One of the smoothest drummers around, Rick Lonow... On bass and harmony vocals was Dave Roe--he worked the road with Johnny Cash, Dwight Yoakum and many more. Jamie Hartford, son of the late John Hartford, played guitars and mandolin. Hoot Hester, the fiddle player, has numerous sessions and road credits--he is currently with the Grand Ole Opry band. Robbie Turner laid the steel licks, he works with many of the greats and at the early age of 12 he represented the Sho-Bud steel guitar company. Tony Harrell was Danielle’s session leader and played keyboard, organ and upright piano--an “A team” player second to none. 

Danielle was asked what she liked most about  “Follow Me.”  Her answer was, and I quote,  I think “Follow Me” has a story that could relate to anyone's dream or chosen career path, a strong message of determination....it's a story of how I see my life and the way I feel about my career choice in music. “Follow Me” is about a lifetime dream and ultimately about having a dream.....a dream that I myself have had since early childhood and one that I am going to follow and live.

 As I mentioned earlier, the song is my life's story and it is how I would like those listening to perceive me. It also relays the message that anyone can have a dream and make it a reality. For me, the most important thing that "Follow Me" says is that I know who I am, I know what I want and I know where I am going."

Danielle Reed’s work ethic is impeccable;  she is a very considerate, intellectual, determined and talented young lady who knows what she wants and has the fiber to make the necessary sacrifices to achieve her quest. “Follow Me” describes the vibrant infectious young lady whom I very much believe in; I highly recommend that you get on the “Follow Me” tour for a lifetime ride on a wonderful musical journey.

Rod Harris

Personal manager / producer

www.jenn-rod.com

j-rad ©2008 used with permission

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