Music Star Camille Harrison On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Music Industry
An Interview With Guernslye Honoré
Find specific affirmations, scripture memories or quotes for different kinds of challenges that come your way.
Rock & Roll has been extremely popular from the 50’s until the 2000’s. But with the rise of Hip Hop, Pop, and electronic dance music, it has seen mainstream decline. But some observers have cited that Rock & Roll may be on the verge of a comeback. The frustration and turmoil of the past few years align well with the message of angst, protest, and rebellion that rock & roll conveys. In this interview series called “Music Stars Helping Rock & Roll Make A Comeback” we are talking to music artists, music groups, and music producers who are helping Rock & Roll make a comeback.
As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Camille Harrison.
Camille Harrison, an American singer songwriter, pianist, guitarist, engineer, and producer, was born in the home of country music capital, Nashville, Tennessee, and has spent a time in the musical melting mecca, Memphis, Tennessee. Her gift for singing was discovered early on while she was singing on country music jamborees (produced by her father) following her early childhood years of singing church and classical pieces with her mother (a classical pianist).
Before the age of 20, Harrison’s professional career was on a fast-track; performing at Mid-South Concerts, Memphis Country Jubilee, Millington Navy Base, the Orpheum, Mid-South Coliseum, Beale Street nightspots, Liberty Land Theme Park Land and Opryland Theme Park, headliner in the Memphis Symphony Orchestra’s Sunset Symphony and Memphis in May festivals for three consecutive years and touring throughout Europe. Camille has also enjoyed opening shows for many of her heroes, including Hank Williams, Jr., Conway Twitty, Dottie West, Dolly Parton, Vern Gosdin and Tom T. Hall, and landing leading roles such as Mabel in Pirates of Penzance gave her a deep admiration for a plethora of genres of music.
With her love music encouraged by her mother and father, various opportunities came very quickly for her. Along with listening to her favorites, Dolly, Streisand, Sinatra, Olivia, Ella, Lily Pons and Ricki Lee Jones in her early years, her studies gave her wide range of musical styles and a nice platform for her songwriting as she wrote for different publishers and then for releasing independent records of her own; The Big Parade, The Jelly Bean Jar, When it Comes to Love, and others. Camille has also sung on other recordings, such as Prince of Egypt soundtrack, One Road Man by Chris LeDoux, and Bela Fleck and the Flecktones’ first album.
A lover of all things Christmas, Camille uses her gift of music to encourage and uplift people during the holiday season. She released her newest single, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” on December 1, 2023.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn a bit about your “origin story”. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
Yes, and thank you. I was born in Nashville, TN. My Father was a car dealer, athlete, coach and concert promoter and my mother a classical pianist, choir director and teacher. They were fun parents — there was always something exciting happening! Times I cherish most are when I was little are my dad getting a pony for me and, he and I riding horses and making trails, as well as each day he would coach me on a trampoline we had when he got home from work. Every day, I’d call him and say “Daddy, are you taking me to ride horses today?”
During the same time, my mother taught me to sing a variety of styles of songs ranging from “Mairzy Doats” to “Hello, Dolly” and within just a few years, arias “Quando m’en vo’” and “O mio babbino caro” and a whole lot of Christmas and holiday music! More than ever, I appreciate other opportunities which came out of those early years such as competing in gymnastics and vocal competitions, and being involved in dance, theatre, playing piano, guitar…
What inspired you to pursue a career in music, and how did your journey begin?
Singing is my first love. I’ve never thought of doing anything else.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
One magical moment that comes to mind is when a good friend of mine was housesitting in Beverly Hills for a producer and invited me to visit. I called my good friend, Ray Parker Jr., to let him know I’d be in town. He arranged for me to write with a wonderful Motown songwriter and then asked where I’d be staying. When I told him the street name, he asked the name again, and I answered, and he asked again, and I answered… I kept thinking my southern accent must be too thick! As it turned out, out of twelve million people in Los Angeles, he had lived on that street with only eight homes on it, next door to Frank Sinatra…and there I was!
It has been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
A while ago, I had written a song with a dear friend that started with the first verse a cappella. I was using a drop D tuning on guitar which I regularly played with. For some reason I did not hear well or see the tuner well, when I came in on guitar with loud strum I had accidentally tuned to a D# for the low note rather than a D, and bow howdy! … Next question.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
Gosh, I feel really fortunate to be able to think of quite a few folks who have encouraged me and continue to do so along the way… certainly, my parents, the various teachers I’ve had, as well as so many of my fellow musician friends.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
In recent years, my time has been focused on holiday music wanting to see what new angles for old timeless songs could possibly come about. Next year, I’m excited to be preparing to record a new artist record and in the writing stages now.
We are very interested in diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in music, film, and television? How can that potentially affect our culture?
1) My musical influences have run the gamut of genres. All have enriched my life in different ways.
2) Acceptance is the answer to our problems. Learning to embrace our differences with others rather than rejecting or critiquing is when we find serenity.
3) When Dr. Jane Goodall went to Africa to be with chimpanzees, she has said something along the lines of she wasn’t going to Africa learn about chimpanzees, she wanted to learn from them. The individuals we meet along the way are such an important part of our journey. We each have a right to be here and have something to offer.
As a successful music star, you’ve likely faced challenges along the way. How do you stay motivated? How do you overcome obstacles in your career?
Nice, good question. Yoga and stretching, juicing organic vegetables, practicing affirmations, and reading and memorizing scripture, and being with friends, having good relationships…
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
1. Don’t let songs “on hold” that don’t make the records discourage you.
2. Choosing to be in a different season where your time is taken and you’re not doing as music is fine; yet, when the season changes, break it down to the basics, do what you love, and love what I do.
3. Juicing veggies will give you energy.
4. Find specific affirmations, scripture memories or quotes for different kinds of challenges that come your way.
5. Spend more time gardening, being on the lake and by the ocean, volunteering with animals or anything else that brings you joy.
Can you share some insights into your creative process? How do you approach songwriting? How do you approach musical collaborations?
I often dream songs and arrangements. Melodies constantly come to me, and I am always writing a song. I love working with co-writers who ebb and flow, and we fall easily into each other’s zenith. Some are stronger lyrically, some melodically — allowing that synergy to happen is where it is.
Your music has resonated with so many fans worldwide. What do you believe sets your music apart?
I think they are the ones to ask.
How do you connect with your audience?
I say a prayer and sing.
With your busy schedule and demanding performances, how do you prioritize self-care and maintain a balance between your personal life and career in the music industry?
Referring to #8, additionally, the oxygenation and alkalization from juicing is one of the best.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
End animal exploitation and exploitation of any kind.
At a time in our world when climate change is of great urgency and upon us like never before in our generation, the time is here for us unite and care for our world and all beings in it. The time has come for us to see other species of animals as individuals who belong here with us and honor their right to live their lives. The time has come for us to lay down the sword with one another, and to aim for walking in the light and non-violence, as the greatest of teachers taught us. For one example my song, Jesus, the Good Shepherd tells stories we have long heard of Jesus. Yet, this song takes us to a thought about Jesus we may not have heard. This is about the non-violent Jesus, the vegan Jesus, the activist Jesus who spoke peace, and stood up and protected the rights of humans, as well as land, sky and sea animals.
Jesus loved the birds, sheep, and taught us “everything with breath has worth.” Jesus called the fishermen to cease fishing and follow him. He calmed the waters. He performed miracles, yet he was born in a manger. Jesus was “non-violence par excellence,” as Mahatma Gandhi is quoted as saying. Jesus defended the woman about to be stoned with non-violent action and wisdom. He drove the animals out from the temple where they were being slaughtered, and said, “it is written,” he said to them, “’My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.”
In addition, I quote my favorite two verses in the well-known Christmas song, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. “O come, Desire of nations bind, all peoples in one heart and mind, bid envy, strife and discord cease, fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.” My other favorite verse, “O come, thou wisdom from on high, who orders all things mightily, to us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in Her ways to go.”
Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)
Yes! It is a three-way tie: Dolly Parton, Barbara Streisand and Dr. Jane Goodall.
How can our readers continue to follow your work online?
Contact for me can be made via social media and my publicist. Thank you very much.
This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
About the interviewer: Guernslye Honoré, affectionately known as “Gee-Gee”, is an amalgamation of creativity, vision, and endless enthusiasm. She has elegantly twined the worlds of writing, acting, and digital marketing into an inspiring tapestry of achievement. As the creative genius at the heart of Esma Marketing & Publishing, she leads her team to unprecedented heights with her comprehensive understanding of the industry and her innate flair for innovation. Her boundless passion and sense of purpose radiate from every endeavor she undertakes, turning ideas into reality and creating a realm of infinite possibilities. A true dynamo, Gee-Gee’s name has become synonymous with inspirational leadership and the art of creating success.
