Contributed Article
SAFFORD – Gila Valley Arts Council is proud to present The Kristyn Harris Band, Sept. 24, at 7 p.m. at the David M. Player Center for the Arts. Lead singer, Kristyn Harris, is a Texas-bred musical powerhouse who has been named the International Western Music Association Entertainer of the Year four years in a row and is the youngest person to have received this honor. She is known for her powerful voice, swing rhythm guitar chops, songwriting, yodeling, and energetic stage presence. Her primary style, Western Swing (think: Bob Wills & the Texas Playboys), has been named the “Official Music of Texas”, and has a vintage sound that crosses between country and jazz, characterized by a swing beat and stellar, exhilarating musicianship.
However, her repertoire spans everything from cowboy songs to classic country standards. Her band consists of star instrumentalists in their own right, who share her love of this music and a joy in performing it, which can take the form of a combo as small as a duo or trio, up to her four-piece band or a complete five-piece ensemble with drums.
No matter the size, the band has electrifying chemistry that lights up any stage, from a small room to a large event center. Her latest album was most recently awarded the prestigious Wrangler Award from the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, and she is also a five-time recipient of the IWMA Female Performer of the Year (2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021). She was named the Ameripolitan Music Awards Western Swing Female Artist of the Year (2017) and the Pro Cowboy Country Artist Association’s 2017 Entertainer of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year. National television appearances include “American Idol”, “Good Morning America”, RFD-TV’s “The Penny Gilley Show”, “The Shotgun Red Variety Show”, and Nickelodeon’s popular game show, “Figure It Out”.
Kristyn is packaged with an energetic and genuine style that makes her love of what she does evident and contagious. She tours all over the country and internationally, including her fifth European tour in 2023. Red Steagall says, “Kristyn Harris is one of the greatest talents that I have ever heard. Her heart is as big as Texas, and it shows when she performs. She has a great career in store for her. I’m so proud that she’s my friend.”
ABC News in Dallas called her “a rising star that has authenticity down to an art.” And, the Arizona Cowboy Gathering put it best: “This bundle of energy and talent is ‘the rage’ on stage from the east coast to the west and if you can stay seated when she finishes her performance you’re prob’ly ’bout ready for the grave!”
Joining Kristyn front and center is the phenomenal Hailey Sandoz, the band’s fiddler, who is known for her exceptional fiddling, jazzy vocals, and creative arranging skills. Her style is rooted in Western swing, jazz, bluegrass, and Celtic music. Complementing this female duo is a steel guitarist and bass fiddler, bringing their sound full circle to the classic Texan swing sound of the 1950s. When the Kristyn Harris Band takes the stage, be ready for the fun and sparks to fly!
In addition to the Sept. 24 evening concert, The Kristyn Harris Band will present a daytime short recital on Wednesday, at 2 p.m. at the Safford City Graham County Library in cooperation with the Friends of the Library. This is a free event geared toward families with children and anyone interested in hearing music in an informal setting. GVAC is also proud to share these artists with hundreds of schoolchildren at their usual Wednesday morning bus-in, short concert for schools that have signed up for our School Residency program.
Evening show tickets are currently on sale at Richards Music, 928-428-2442, online at www.gvac.org, or at the door. Adult ticket prices are only $15 or $20; all tickets are reserved seating. GVAC is still proud to offer family-friendly prices for children and students for only $5.00 for all seating levels, premium or standard, in any section.
GVAC is able to keep its ticket prices low because of the support it receives from several sources. We graciously thank our member donors who join as supporting members every year. This school residency and public performance project was made possible by funding received from the Arizona Commission on the Arts, Creative West, and the National Endowment for the Arts. GVAC is also very grateful for the support received from the United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties, Freeport McMoRan Corporation, and the Arizona Community Foundation of the Gila Valley.
