YouTube LIVE Music Premiere | Tim Harr
Sat, Dec 19 | 2-3 PM
Premieres LIVE on Peoria Riverfront Museum's YouTube Channel
Tim Harr, 52, has been playing the guitar for 43 years. He began formal guitar lessons at age 8, under Connie Brockmeyer at Don’s Music in Peoria. In high school, he was selected as the guitarist for Illinois Music Educators Association’s “Illinois All-State Jazz Ensemble”, both his junior & senior year. Also in HS, Tim was the percussion section leader, playing drums and timpani in the Woodruff HS Band. Upon graduating from HS, Tim was encouraged by his band director Mary Jo Papich to audition for the US Army Band. He was selected to attend the United States Army Element School of Music at Norfolk, VA. After graduating from the US Army School of Music, he went on to perform as a professional touring Guitarist for the U.S. Army Band. While serving, Tim performed for 2 U.S. Presidents, numerous Heads of State, as well as performances on national television. While stationed in Indianapolis, Tim worked with acclaimed singer songwriter Frank Dean. Tim played in his band and on several of his albums. In 1990, with Frank’s encouragement, Tim took up the pedal steel guitar.
In 2008, Tim retired from the Army after a 22 year career. He has studied with Jim Robo, Max Smith, Bob Roetker, Michael Hull & Wes Sedrel, at ICC. Both Max Smith and Bob Roetker are nationally known published guitar educators. Tim performs throughout the area playing a variety of instruments with various local musicians/bands. He played in local bands “Heartland”, “Players Club”, and “Hillbilly Central”. Currently, he is with “Stone Cold Cowboys”, “Spring Creek Station”, and “Castle 6”. He performs as a guitarist for many local theatre productions including “Bridges of Madison County” and “Hairspray” at Cornstock and “Footloose” and “Million Dollar Quartet” at Peoria Players Theatre. He has also shared the stage as a side musician, with stars such as Chris Hillman (The Byrds, Manassas, member of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame), Larry Gatlin (Grammy Award winning Country artist), David Ball (Grammy Award-winning Country artist), Confederate Railroad, Hank Thompson, Del Reeves (Grand Ole Opry), Becky Hobbs, David Alan Coe, Johnny Rodriquez, Neil McCoy, Patty Loveless, T. Graham Brown, Suzy Bogguss, Martina McBride, Rachel Potter (Broadway, Nashville recording artist and X-Factor), Patrick Thomas (The Voice), Russ Taff (Grammy Award-winning Gospel singer), and guitar legends – Albert Lee & Ray Flacke. He regularly serves as a guitarist with the worship team at Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria.
Tim is widely known and has many years of experience as a studio musician. He is a staff recording session musician at Rock Solid Recording Studio in Dunlap, IL. He is called on frequently to record tracks at local recording studios for local bands & TV/Radio commercials. He has recorded on albums by Frank Dean, Eric Gordon, Matt Miller, “Wolf & Gypsy Band”, “West McQueen Street Band”, “Hannah Mwangi”, and many others. His favorite guitarists are Joe Pass, Larry Carlton, Robben Ford, James Burton, Albert Lee, Jimmy Capps, Steve Gibson, and Jerry Reed.
Tim plays the electric guitar, acoustic guitar, classical guitar, baritone guitar, dobro (resophonic guitar), pedal steel guitar, lap steel, electric bass, Hammond B3 organ, and drums.
