Taylor Made: My Life, My Story
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About this ebook
Dr. Harris delves deep into the influences that shaped his career and personal life—from his formidable years under the guidance of community choirs to his academic and spiritual development at Rust College. He shares the profound impact of leading the Baptist Student Union Gospel Choir, which became a cornerstone of his musical and leadership skills. His move to Fayetteville, North Carolina, marks a significant phase where he took on the full-time role of Minister of Music at Lewis Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, further solidifying his impact on the gospel music scene.
The narrative does not shy away from the struggles inherent in balancing a demanding career with personal growth. Dr. Harris discusses the financial and emotional toll of striving for success in the competitive music industry, his eventual realization of the need to recalibrate his dreams, and his strategic steps towards sustainable artistry without compromising his spiritual calling.
"Taylor Made" also highlights Dr. Harris's innovative contributions to music education, illustrating his passion for mentoring young musicians and his visionary approach to music ministry. The memoir is replete with lessons on resilience, the importance of authenticity in one’s craft, and the unyielding power of faith.
Through candid reflections and heartwarming anecdotes, Dr. Will Harris invites readers into the intimate quarters of his life, making "Taylor Made: My Life, My Story" not just a memoir, but a beacon of hope and a testament to the transformative power of music and faith in overcoming life's greatest challenges.
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Taylor Made - Dr. Will Harris
Taylor Made
My Life, My Story
Dr. Will Harris
J Merrill Publishing, Inc.Copyright © 2024 J Merrill Publishing, Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator,
at the address below.
J Merrill Publishing, Inc.
434 Hillpine Drive
Columbus, OH 43207
www.JMerrill.pub
Library of Congress Control Number: 2024906595
ISBN-13: 978-1-961475-21-2 (Paperback)
ISBN-13: 978-1-961475-29-8 (Hardcover)
ISBN-13: 978-1-961475-22-9 (eBook)
ISBN-13: 978-1-961475-30-4 (Audiobook)
Book Title: Taylor Made: My Life, My Story
Author: Dr. Will Harris
Editing: Veronica Fly
Cover Art: Vincent Tharpe/EmptyMe Graphic Design
This book is dedicated to the memory of my mother, Mrs. Alean Toles Harris. I also dedicate this book to the millions of lives around the globe affected by mental illness.
None of this would be possible if it were not for my amazing Aunt Bonnie, who stepped in to cover and to raise me. I will never forget the many sacrifices you made to ensure that I would be a productive person in the world.
I am grateful for every teacher and every musical mentor who has poured into my life: Mrs. Gaye Calhoun, Mrs. Peggy Tubbs, Minister Billy Rivers, Dr. Leo Davis, Jr., the late Zebedee Reynolds Jones, Kurt Carr, Lamar Campbell, the late Dr. Anthony Stinson, James O. Pope Jr., Dr. Diane White-Clayton, Ira B. Wolfe, Dr. Sharon Cooper Brooks, A. Louise Lassiter, and my friends and fans all over the world who continue to support the gift in me.
Finally, I dedicate this book to every young person who has a dream, yet the circumstances surrounding you don’t look promising. Keep dreaming, put your faith into motion, and make your dreams become a reality.
Contents
Foreword by M.Lamar Campbell
Prologue
1. God’s Plan
2. He Knows My Name
3. Fly High
4. My Father/The Mystery
5. My Early Music Life
6. Learning the Piano
7. Resilience
Gallery
8. Mom’s Decline
9. Rust College
10. Zebedee Jones, My Music Mentor
11. Perseverance
12. Songwriting and Recording
13. Destiny
About Dr. Will Harris
Foreword by M.Lamar Campbell
I am gospel recording artist, Lamar Campbell, most known for the song, MORE THAN ANYTHING
which was named one of the top 100 gospel songs of all times by Root Magazine. I am honored to share from my perspective why I believe in the author, Will Harris and this amazing book. From an artist/song writer’s point of view, there are key elements that we look for in a body of work that engage and stimulate us to want more. Taylor Made has what it takes to make this book hard to put down once you start the read.
Reading this book, you will feel the passion of someone who has not let his circumstances define him on his quest to truly getting to know himself in an honest way, from flaws to triumphs. It explores how our differences can be used to unite us as opposed to dividing us.
I am praying that as you read this book, it will inspire you to take an introspective look at your personal journey; and that it will catapult you into your greater you. This inspirational reality story has helped me reevaluate the importance of knowing that everything we go through leads to destiny. We determine the altitude of the destination by our belief system and what we feed our spirits. Congratulations Dr. Will Harris on your first book. May all those who read this book see the light inside of you that is in each one of us.
Prologue
Chasing destiny and purpose with no real sense of direction, guidance, and most importantly, no real knowledge of self-awareness can lead to layers of frustration and confusion. My mere existence here on earth is a miracle. Yet, from the very beginning, it was rooted in secrecy and denial. Those secrets kept me in a whirlwind of wonder
for most of my life. As a child, I knew that success wouldn't come easy, and with the hand that I had been dealt, any level of success would require an incredible amount of strength and perseverance.
I didn't have the beautiful experience of being brought into the world by loving parents who were excited about my arrival. Neither did I have a family or a community that truly nurtured and celebrated me as a kid. I was simply the child