TERRENCE HART

Music in general is universal, and it helps connect people… that is what it is all about to me - Terrence Hart

TERRENCE HART WRITES HIS OWN MUSIC, SEEKS AIRPLAY

Born in Morrocco, Terrence Hart realized a love for music instilled in him by his mother who used to sing in night clubs as a teenager, later singing around the house as she took care of the family. Now a resident of Cap-Saint-Ignace, Quebec, Canada, Terrence writes and performs his own original music wherever he finds opportunities.

I exchanged emails with Terrence to get an update on what he has been doing lately. Here’s our Q&A session.

Q&A WITH TERRENCE HART

DL: How and when did you first start singing? Where?

TH: I first started singing when I was 7-8 years old. I listened to my mom and tried to accompany her the best I could. She was always singing in the house when she was cooking or cleaning after us.

DL: Do you remember the first song you sang in public?

TH: The first song I sang in public was one of my own original songs I wrote back in the 90’s. It was a French Pop Ballad titled ‘’ Ils Rêvent ’’… meaning ‘’ They Dream ‘’. I was opening for a local artist. It was stressful but still a great experience for me.

DL: Do you or have you ever played any musical instruments? If you do, how do you feel it helps your musical journey?

TH: My mother introduced me to the guitar when I was 12 years old. Playing guitar helps my writing process. I usually start with the lyrics and then build a melody to support the storytelling. On rare occasions, I reverse the process if the melody is strong enough.

DL: Have you written any of your own music or songs or co-wrote with anyone?

TH: I started writing my own songs back in the late 80’s. I still do. It’s an extension of who I am… a way to express my feelings, or my point of view.

DL: What is your inspiration for your songs?

TH: In general, it’s about the people and places that have shaped my journey. I make up stories about the people and the places I’ve seen and that have made an impact on me.

DL: What is your favorite or couple of favorite originals you have sung/written and what do they mean to you?

TH: This Town – I wrote this song as a tribute for the small town where I now live. I remember that it was difficult for me and my family to fit-in when we moved from the city 23 years ago. Many years have passed, and this town kept growing on me to the point that it is My Town now and it sure feels like home.

    ‘’This town keeps growin’ on me, I’m right where I wanna be’’

     Wheels Keep On Rollin’ – I wrote this song because of my neighbor who’s a long-haul trucker. I have been watching him come and go for the past 23 years. I always wondered how he felt when he had to leave his family behind for an extended period. Still, he kept on rollin’ to support his family. He still does.

     ‘’Wheels keep rollin’, beyond the hill, gotta move on, ain’t gonna be still’’

     Where The Wildflowers Grow – This song is about me remembering the good old days when I had time to do the things I loved and not worry about getting old or loosing the ones I loved.

     ‘’Life's a winding road, with curves and bends, but my heart stays true, it never pretends‘’

DL: Do you have any albums or original songs recorded and if so, what are they and where can readers get them?

TH: I just released a self-titled album on May 19th this year. It is simply called Terrence Hart. Your readers can purchase a copy on my web site at www.terrencehartmusic.com.

DL: Do you have a label or are you publishing songs independently on your own?

TH: At the present time, I am publishing songs independently on my own. But there may come a day when it might be better to work with a publishing company or an agency.

DL: What do you find most challenging about the music business?

TH: I guess the most challenging thing for an independent artist is to have access to commercial radio airplay. We must do things differently because we are strangers to everyone. Fortunately, we have access to a wide variety of tools like streaming and social media. We can use those tools to make our music accessible to the market and increase our visibility.

DL: What is your favorite part of the music business and why?

TH: My favorite part of the music business is when I get a like or positive feedback from a stranger who takes the time to listen to one of my songs. It drives me to do more.

DL: If you could perform with anyone in the music business who would it be and why?

TH: I would like to perform with French Singer Song-writer Francis Cabrel… he is my all-time favorite melody wizard and fantastic storyteller. I guess I would probably forget the lyrics and the chords all together if I was to share the stage with him one day. I have tears in my eyes just thinking about it.

DL: Where is your favorite place to perform and why?

TH: I don’t get to perform in public much at the present time. But for now I would say around a camp fire with friends singing and dancing the night away.

DL: What advice do you have for anyone wanting to get in the music business as a singer/songwriter?

TH: Tell it like it is, like you feel it, like it was the last thing you do before you die.

DL Have you always wanted to be a singer/musician? If not, and you couldn’t be in the music business what career would you choose?

TH: I’ve always wanted to be a singer/musician since I first heard music playing on the radio. Like any independent artist, I have a steady job that pays the bills and covers for my crazy dreams.

DL: Why did you pick country as your main focus?

TH: I started singing rock and pop like most teenagers back in the 80’s. I listened to many different genres, like blues, Spanish, Arabic and many more. Always intrigued by the music and the melodies. I have always loved country music, particularly acoustic ballads. To me country music is universal because it tells stories about us, the average people.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Terrence says he is proud of what he has accomplished so far. “Every little step I take is a victory and I try to enjoy it as much as I can.”

     His future plans involve playing guitar, singing and “creating music that resonates with everyday people, especially those who appreciate the simplicity and soul of classic country music.”

HAVE A LISTEN

Where the Wildflowers Grow

Wheels Keep On Rollin’

WHERE CAN YOU TERRENCE HART?

Website: www.terrencehartmusic.com

plus many streaming services and YouTube

In addition to writing this blog for KICR, David C. Lannan is a freelance writer with feature stories published across the country. He is also a member of the Board of Advisors for The Branson Opry. If you would like to be considered for a future blog, send your contact info and links to your music to dlannan@LFE.design.