Letter from S. A. Harris

2018 has been a very interesting time in my life. I turned 50 years old in May and with the death of my brother Patrick Harris and sister Linda Seaver McMillen in 2017, I realize that 50% of my immediate family did not survive to see my 50th birthday. What makes this so difficult for me is that I was locked up 27 years ago and lost the family connection and closeness that the normal family has between them. This has troubled me more and more over the years. Time stops for no one and it always seems to go by way to fast when we take it for granted.

I released my first musical composition in 2013 in the form of a ten-song album that was created inside a prison cell at the Oregon State Penitentiary. I created and performed every part of the album one track at a time. My first album was titled "Funny Farm" by Shawn A. Harris. I then composed a second album from the very same prison cell in 2014, titled "Steel Horse" by S.A. Harris I invited three fellow musicians to be featured guests. I also added four cover songs: "Red House", "Blue Jean Blues", "The Wind Cries Mary" & "Sultans of Swing". I have to say that two of the coolest moments in my life were when I got a "Thumbs Up" from Dire Straits on Twitter and then was invited to contribute to the Jimi Hendrix "VooDoo Child interactive exhibit" honoring those of us who have been influenced by Jimi's music.

In 2016 from the same prison cell, I released "Blues De'Ville" by S.A. Harris. This album features my best vocal work and a more refined sound yet and I am very proud of it. Unfortunately, in December 2016 my world was turned upside down when I was brutally attacked twice in three days that left me with a head injury that still affects me to this day. This caused me to be transferred from the facility I had spent 25 years in, to a new facility known as the "Two Rivers Correctional Institution" nearly 250 miles across the state.

Since I have been here, I have fought with the facility to be allowed to continue composing music as Oregon Administrative Rule 291.119 authorize me opportunity to do, but T.R.C.I. refuses to allow me to do so (even though I have not had any Major Misconduct reports in 26 years). They have an issue with allowing a recording device in the facility... I ask, if I can have the recorder in a Maximum-security Penitentiary in Oregon, why would a Medium security prison have an issue with it? As of October 2018, I am currently appealing my case and hope to be able to continue to compose and publish music, but it's not looking good.

I've released a few singles from my albums to promote my music while awaiting my appeals and seem to be seeing a spike in attention from France in the last month. I hope it is the blessing of a hit song! I live a difficult life and music is what keeps me going! I pray that music fans around the world will support my music and help keep the Blues alive! ~ S.A. Harris 2018has been a very interesting time in my life. I turned 50 years old in May and with the death of my brother Patrick Harris and sister Linda Seaver McMillen in 2017, I realize that 50% of my immediate family did not survive to see my 50th birthday. What makes this so difficult for me is that I was locked up 27 years ago and lost the family connection and closeness that the normal family has between them. This has troubled me more and more over the years. Time stops for no one and it always seems to go by way to fast when we take it for granted.

I released my first musical composition in 2013 in the form of a ten-song album that was created inside a prison cell at the Oregon State Penitentiary. I created and performed every part of the album one track at a time. My first album was titled "Funny Farm" by Shawn A. Harris. I then composed a second album from the very same prison cell in 2014, titled "Steel Horse" by S.A. Harris I invited three fellow musicians to be featured guests. I also added four cover songs: "Red House", "Blue Jean Blues", "The Wind Cries Mary" & "Sultans of Swing". I have to say that two of the coolest moments in my life were when I got a "Thumbs Up" from Dire Straits on Twitter and then was invited to contribute to the Jimi Hendrix "Voodoo Child interactive exhibit" honoring those of us who have been influenced by Jimi's music.

In 2016 from the same prison cell, I released "Blues De'Ville" by S.A. Harris. This album features my best vocal work and a more refined sound yet and I am very proud of it. Unfortunately, in December 2016 my world was turned upside down when I was brutally attacked twice in three days that left me with a head injury that still affects me to this day. This caused me to be transferred from the facility I had spent 25 years in, to a new facility known as the "Two Rivers Correctional Institution" nearly 250 miles across the state.

Since I have been here, I have fought with the facility to be allowed to continue composing music as Oregon Administrative Rule 291.119 authorize me opportunity to do, but T.R.C.I. refuses to allow me to do so (even though I have not had any Major Misconduct reports in 26 years). They have an issue with allowing a recording device in the facility... I ask, if I can have the recorder in a Maximum-security Penitentiary in Oregon, why would a Medium security prison have an issue with it? As of October 2018, I am currently appealing my case and hope to be able to continue to compose and publish music, but it's not looking good.

I've released a few singles from my albums to promote my music while awaiting my appeals and seem to be seeing a spike in attention from France in the last month. I hope it is the blessing of a hit song! I live a difficult life and music is what keeps me going! I pray that music fans around the world will support my music and help keep the Blues alive! ~ S.A. Harris