Kristyn Harris, the talented Texas singer-songwriter, has been wowing audiences with her unique blend of country and swing music for years. Hailing from Burleson, Texas, this international award-winning artist has made a name for herself with her powerful vocals, masterful swing guitar playing, and captivating stage presence.

Kristyn’s music is deeply rooted in the western and rural lifestyle, with her original songs and classic covers paying homage to the cowboy culture that has long been a part of her life. Her love for the land and its people shines through in every note she sings, making her performances a true celebration of the American spirit.

With a slew of international awards under her belt, including five International Western Music Association Entertainer of the Year titles and seven Female Performer of the Year awards, Kristyn has solidified her status as a leading figure in the country-swing scene. Her most recent recording project was honored by the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City for “Outstanding Western Album,” while she has also received recognition from the CMA of Texas and the International Red Carpet Awards in the Netherlands.

When she’s not touring across the United States and abroad with her band or as a solo act, Kristyn can be found indulging in her other passions. She is an avid rancher, managing her black angus cattle herd and training her newest colt. She is also an accomplished trick rider, often incorporating her equestrian skills into her live shows.

Kristyn’s dedication to her craft and her roots is inspiring, and it’s no wonder that she has built a devoted fan base across the globe. With her infectious energy, heartfelt lyrics, and undeniable talent, she continues to entertain and captivate audiences everywhere she goes. If you’re looking for a true ambassador of country-swing music, look no further than Kristyn Harris – a true legend in her own right.

Early Influences

“I’m so blessed to be Texan,” says Kristyn. “We have the richest musical culture, and I don’t think I would have been gifted with all the same opportunities for playing/learning/growing in music when I was starting out if I didn’t live here.

“My dad loves classic country music (Hank Williams Sr., Merle Haggard, Patsy Cline, Waylon & Willie, etc) . . . so I grew up hearing that. I think that definitely gave me an appreciation for acoustic instrumentation. In addition to that, Texas has such a history and connection to cowboy culture that my interest in horses and all things cowboy/western probably started out of that. Going down that road led me to my love of Sons of the Pioneers and cowboy music of the 30s, 40s and 50s. Western Swing was born right here in Texas, and its pioneer, Bob Wills & the Texas Playboys, has been a huge influence for me as well.”

Cool Collaborators

Kristyn shares about when she collaborated with others: “Oh man, again, I have been very blessed. A cool moment that sticks out for me was singing with The Time Jumpers in Nashville and getting a high five on stage from Vince Gill. But in addition to that, I have had the privilege to play and record with some of the best musicians in the industry, and every time I do it’s a learning experience, and it causes me to elevate my own excellence. It’s a great way to learn, and also to stay humble!”

Genre Attraction

“I have always been drawn to the sound of the instrumentation in different genres. I like strings, and space for lyrics and voices to shine, rather than drums dominating the sound (not that I’m totally against any kind of drums). Even though I’m a guitar player, fiddle is probably my favorite instrument to listen to, ever. Many current genres don’t even include a fiddle. I’m also drawn to the complex chord structures of western swing and jazz – it’s an added edge of musicality that just makes me invigorated and brings me joy. Beyond all that, however, I’m a lover of words and wordplay (before I started playing music I wanted to be an author), and because of that I really appreciate lyrics done well, and even more when they are singing about things close to my heart (which tends toward all things rural).

“But I’m also definitely a big believer in having a wide and varied range of musical taste and exposure for songwriting, so I like to listen to all sorts of musical styles to give me fresh ideas to bring back to my own genre and weave into my songwriting. Keeping things fresh while instinctively honoring the roots of the music is what keeps a genre alive and well, in my opinion.”

The Creative Process

“I’ve never been an artist who can sit down and write songs specifically for an album (in fact I don’t really consider myself a real songwriter). I try to make songwriting a regular habit, so as the songs come I’ll add them to the list of ones I want to record – and then, the hope is that I’ll eventually make the time to get in the studio!

“I probably could have had a better process, though. I’ve been so busy touring that it’s been way too long since my last album release.  I’m currently in the middle of recording a gospel album, which has a couple originals but will for the most part be familiar hymns. I’m excited about that, and it should be out relatively soon. On the heels of that, I plan to start right in to record another western swing album with a bunch of my new original material.

“The studio process itself is tons of fun (and also work), and I owe a lot of the magic that happens to my brilliant husband who is a producer and audio engineer extraordinaire, as well as the top level musicians that I get to work with that bring the songs and arrangements to life. Often it’s in the studio where a song I’ve written really finds its identity, because the arrangement and instrumentation and collective ideas of so many musical brains co-conspiring can really bring a song in its basic form to a whole new level.”

Preparing for a Performance

“I have found that for me one of the most important preparation steps for putting on a good concert is planning the setlist. It forces me to think through the entire show, while I create a unique list of songs that is tailored as much as possible to the audience or event I will be playing for. Although I definitely don’t always stick to the setlist I create, and give myself full freedom to veer off or change my mind on the spot, it’s really helpful to have put some planning into the balance of slow/fast, funny/serious, familiar/original material, etc., and also give myself natural lead ins that keep the flow of song introductions and stories moving. I think it’s the small preparations like these that can really elevate a concert experience up a notch or two.

“Also, like many singers, I don’t like to eat before I sing, but I do drink plenty of water and always have a little bit of nerves going . . . which usually melt away once I get on stage and give myself fully to the music.

“The cool thing about music is that it’s art, and every artist is so unique, and brings a unique perspective and life experience to their songwriting and performance. Being from Texas, I have the swing influence that a lot of other western/cowboy performers don’t have, which is a beat so infectious that I can’t help the energy and movement that happens when I play. I also am of a younger generation than some, so both of those things give me a different viewpoint than others.”

American Idol Opportunity

“Whew…American Idol! That was a wild experience. I’m grateful for the opportunity. The funny thing is that I never had the ambition or thought to go audition for American Idol, and probably never would have on my own. I got a call in 2017 from an American Idol casting producer seeking me out for the 2018 season, and was allowed to skip most of the audition process and proceed directly to a private audition with the producers. I surely couldn’t pass up that invitation! From there I went to Nashville where I sang for the celebrity judges, and on to Hollywood with my golden ticket after that. I definitely felt outclassed – I was around some of the most incredible vocalists I’d ever heard – and my natural personality is shy and introverted, so being on camera literally nonstop was an adjustment and a growth opportunity. I knew I wasn’t really what American Idol was looking for, but like I said, I’m grateful to have experienced it.”

Rodeo and Married Life

“Married life has been absolutely wonderful since marrying my husband, Aarom, in 2020. Aarom is also in the music business (on the recording/sound end of things) and is so supportive of everything I do. We make a great team. He also shares my love of horses and ranching – so thankfully, he supports that habit, too! Lately I’ve been focusing a lot on training my newest colt, and haven’t done as much trick riding, but the times I got to trick ride at rodeos and wild west shows is still a dream to me, because that was something I fantasized about doing as a kid that seemed completely unattainable. Kind of like a lot of things I’ve gotten to do with music! Horses will always be a big part of my life and are part of the inspiration for my music as well.”

Being Female in a Male Dominated Field

“I don’t think about it much, because the western music/western swing community and those in agriculture and rural professions are the saltiest people on earth.of the earth. I’ve always received such support and encouragement from everyone. But even if I hadn’t, I think I was so passionate about the music that probably nothing would have stopped me. I guess when something is important enough, all the little details and normal barriers become insignificant.  You don’t find a lot of women who play the style of rhythm guitar that I do, but my own role model was actually a woman herself, the amazing Devon Dawson of Fort Worth, Texas.

“My best friend and regular fiddler, Hailey Sandoz, is also an incredible musician, and prior to her I had the privilege of playing with Brook Wallace Deaton, an extraordinary fiddler, too. Many of the women performers within the International Western Music Association have been big supporters and inspirations . . . so I have no shortage of women role models doing music with excellence!”

Touring the World

“The Grand Ole Opry is still on my bucket list! I haven’t gotten to do that yet. But, I have truly gotten other opportunities that are still surreal, such as getting paid to fly across the ocean and perform for thousands of people in France and Italy. To this day those are some of my very favorite memories; hearing my own songs played by a band of French musicians, and bonding with them on the road; experiencing all the foreign food and culture, and seeing people who don’t even speak my language be so moved by my concert.

“Road life is downright exhausting, there’s no question, but it’s not hard to stay inspired when I so often get to see incredible sights, and most of all, meet incredible people that often wind up feeling like family by the time I leave. I always say that I’m discovering the world one gig at a time, and music really has opened so many doors and shown me places and experiences I never could have dreamed of getting to see otherwise.

Looking Ahead

“As I mentioned before, be looking out for two new albums in the near future. The first release will be my gospel album, which is something I’ve wanted to make happen for a long time . . . without the Lord I would be nowhere. And following that, another album with mostly my original material, because I’ve been doing quite a bit of songwriting lately. I hope to continue to improve and evolve through my songwriting, recording, and collaborating, and even musicianship. I never want to stop getting better at my craft! I’ve also had the privilege lately to duet as a guest artist on a couple of other albums, and will be announcing those when they come out as well.”

To connect with Kristyn Harris, please visit her website.

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Cover photo Alan Mercer

Bob Valleau is a regular entertainment writer for Texas Lifestyle Magazine.