It's been far too long since I've written, and a lot has happened. I’ll keep it to the highlights.

My First Billboard #1

Since we last talked, a record I worked on for Mat and Savanna Shaw reached the number one spot on the Billboard Classical Crossover charts.

When I realized I had a Billboard #1 credit, I couldn't breathe for a few seconds.

External validation isn't the reason I do this work, but I have to say it did feel good to have such mainstream recognition for something that I put so much work into. I'm really proud of the arrangements I did on this album. Especially considering that these deadlines were measured in hours and days, instead of my usual days and weeks.

Here’s the catch about telling you about these songs now. It’s all Christmas music.

If you want to hear them and aren’t burnt out on the season, the 3 songs are Spending Christmas Together, Hometown Christmas, and It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas and they’re all on this playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0Rq6h4KqBPNmfmR5xnbRwg?si=17968846a2144dc0

My First Solo Release in Years

Again, the timing of this is less than ideal but I released a song called The Last Day of December at the end of last year. It’s the first song I’ve written, recorded, produced, and released since 2020, and it’s amazing how good it felt good to do that again.

I know that many of you came across it elsewhere, but if you haven’t listened to the song yet, know that despite the title it’s not a necessarily a holiday song. It’s a song about living far away from the people you care about, and learning to live with making challenging decisions.

I’m particularly proud of the strings on this one, as I started arranging them to be the backbone of the song instead of an element that got added farther on in the process. There’s also something very different about only having my own taste to answer to. It was a liberating experience.

If you haven’t already listened, here’s a link. I would love to hear what you think:

https://open.spotify.com/track/6hJWJwwOwVxfxAzHqJQvIK?si=5671aa859b744810

Onward and Upward

In thinking about my goals for 2024, I came to an audacious conclusion. I want to be the #1 call for recording strings by the time I turn 40. I’m currently 30 so I know that I have time, but it’s going to be a big stretch.

Knowing that, here are a few things I’m committing to this year in order to set myself on the path of achieving that goal:

• Taking better care of my mind and body by exercising and meditating regularly.
• Hiring and working with experts to help grow my business.
• Saying no to things that pull my attention away from this goal.
• Creating and maintaining a practice routine to improve my cello playing.
• Setting aside the largest chunk of my work day to record, so that I can use every project to push myself farther.

Thinking about a 10 year goal can be overwhelming, but broken down into these habits it feels pretty achievable. I’m excited to see where this takes me.

I hope this email has found you well, rested and / or recovered from the holidays, and looking forward to your year. I have a feeling it’s going to be a good one.

I’ll talk to you soon,

Harley

P.S. If you or anyone you know need strings on a song, now’s a good time to talk. I’m booking February, and I would love to work with you.