It goes back to that music teacher when I was 12 years old. After the third lesson, I was singing some popular country song of the day. I forget the name. I think it was a Hank Williams, no, it was too early for Hank Williams, I guess. Whatever the song was, I didn’t sing it like the artist had sung it on the radio. And she said, “You’re a song stylist.” She said, “Always do it your way.” And from the age of 12, I didn’t forget that.
Recorded
Academy of Achievement interview, Glacier Park, Montana, 25 June 1993
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Patricia Smith
Poet; Distinguished Professor at the City University of New York
“What sound does that color make?” Yeah, that was a question of hers in fifth grade. And I was like, “Well, colors don’t have sound.” And eventually, she said, “You know red sounds different than blue.” And I, “Yeah, red sounds angry, blue sounds —” And so she was pushing me into, “Here’s your simile, here’s your metaphor. This is all you’re going to need. Run, my child.”
Recorded
Pádraig Ó Tuama, On Being, 28 August 2023
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Harris taught me a lot in that way. Another piece of advice from him was: “Don’t be afraid if your initial plan is not the best plan.” Say you’ve spent all this time and resources in one way, and all of a sudden this little simple idea comes up — do that! Don’t get trapped! Keep your eyes always open.