Keith Harris worked with everyone from the Black Eyed Peas to Michael Jackson and James Brown.
When we sat down with Keith Harris for our Music Explored podcast, we knew we were talking to someone special. As a Grammy Award-winning producer, musical director, and drummer who's worked with everyone from the Black Eyed Peas to Michael Jackson and James Brown, Keith has been behind some of the most memorable moments in modern music.
But what struck us most wasn't just his impressive resume—it was how his approach to music perfectly mirrors what we believe about creating exceptional live entertainment experiences.
One of the first things Keith emphasized was the true value of his Berklee education: networking.
"The one thing you pay your money for when you go to college is the network of people," Keith explained. "People to this day that I've interacted with in the industry... I still have that leverage to be like, yo, what's up, we went to school together."
At The DNA Project, we've built our reputation over 11+ years on this exact principle. It's not just about knowing great musicians—it's about having deep, trusted relationships with the best performers across Canada. When you're planning a corporate gala at Liberty Grand or a luxury wedding at a GTA venue, you need entertainment consultants who can pick up the phone and connect you with world-class talent, not just anyone who plays an instrument.
Keith's career offers a fascinating glimpse into what actually goes into creating seamless live entertainment. As someone who wears multiple hats—producer, drummer, musical director, engineer—he made it clear that collaboration is everything.
"You can't do it all by yourself," Keith told us. "Most people in the music industry want to be known for doing everything. I don't want to be that guy... I work smarter and get people that are good at what they do to complement what I do."
This resonates deeply with how we approach every event. When we're designing entertainment for your corporate event or wedding, we're not just booking a band. We're coordinating with musicians, sound engineers, venue technical staff, creative directors, and our production team to ensure every element works together flawlessly.
One of the most memorable moments in our conversation was Keith's story about recording with James Brown. During a session, a saxophonist launched into an impressive, complicated solo. James Brown stopped him immediately.
"That's too complicated," Brown said. "We need something simple so the kids can understand. Play Mary Had a Little Lamb."
Keith's takeaway? "Don't be too complicated to where the normal masses can't understand or feel what you're doing."
This is gold for event planning. Whether you're hosting 500 executives at a product launch or celebrating your wedding day, your entertainment should create moments everyone can connect with—not just impress the musicians in the room. The best performances make people feel something, regardless of their musical knowledge.
When Keith described his work as a musical director, it sounded remarkably similar to what we do as entertainment consultants.
"Musical director is kind of like being the project manager for a corporation," he explained. "You have to delegate duties, and you got to be a great communicator... You have to balance what the artists want, and then you have to balance what the musicians need to give the artist what they want."
At The DNA Project, we're that crucial connection point between your vision and the performers who'll bring it to life. We understand both sides—what you need for your event to succeed, and what musicians need to deliver their best performance. We handle the technical riders, the load-in schedules, the sound checks, and the creative direction so you don't have to.
One aspect of Keith's process really stood out: his obsession with technical excellence. When producing music for live shows, he ensures every file is properly labeled, starts at the right place, is in the correct format and bit rate, so that when the live engineer receives his work, "if they just put everything at Zero Unity on their console, they have a great starting point."
Most clients never see this level of detail, but it's what separates a good event from a great one. When we provide AV production services, we're thinking about sight lines, acoustics, power requirements, backup systems—all the things that need to be perfect so your guests only notice the magic, not the mechanics.
Perhaps the most valuable insight from Keith was about attitude. Despite his Grammy awards and legendary collaborators, Keith was refreshingly humble about his work.
"If I'm a Grammy Award-winning producer and I can walk into the studio and be humble enough to learn from even an unsigned artist, you should be doing much, much more."
He also spoke candidly about what bothers him most: "People nowadays want the spoils without the fame, without the work and the hustle."
We see this reflected in the performers we choose to work with. Technical skill matters, but so does professionalism, reliability, and a collaborative spirit. When you're investing $6,500+ in entertainment for your event, you deserve artists who treat your occasion with respect and deliver excellence without ego.
After 11+ years and over 500 events, we've learned that great entertainment isn't about hiring the most expensive act or the flashiest performer. It's about:
Whether you're planning a corporate event at Hotel X, a luxury wedding at a historic venue, or developing a partnership for recurring entertainment, we approach every project with the same philosophy that's guided Keith Harris's remarkable career: excellence through collaboration, attention to detail, and never forgetting that at the end of the day, music is about making people feel something special.
Want to hear the full conversation with Keith Harris? Check out Episode 291 of the Music Explored podcast. Interested in bringing Grammy-level entertainment expertise to your next event? Contact The DNA Project to start designing your experience.
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