Voices of TEDxSMU

TEDxSMU speaker Greg Harris talks rock 'n' roll and changing the world

In an industry that prides itself on being anti-establishment, Greg Harris is the man. And as the CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Harris has his own unique set of challenges.

“Everybody is passionate about the bands that they care about the most, and the challenge is being relevant to all rock and roll fans when there is such a wide range of musical tastes,” Harris says.

The 49-year-old Cleveland, Ohio resident will take the stage at TEDxSMU on November 1 for a talk titled “Our Soundtrack.” CultureMap recently chatted with the rock and roll exec about his upcoming trip to Dallas, his favorite bands and what he loves about his job.

CultureMap: Can you give us a teaser of your TED talk?

Greg Harris: I’ll be sharing stories about the songs themselves and playing some music. I believe when you look at anything, not just a song, you have to look at it beyond its own existence. You need to look at it in the cultural context of when it was created to get the full picture.

“Rock and roll is this great unifying feature in our culture. It cuts across all spectrums,” Harris says.

Rock and roll is this great unifying feature in our culture. It cuts across all spectrums. We say it is the most powerful art form ever created. It is the music that changed the world.

It helped us think differently and has really been a change agent. At the same time, it is something that brings us together and unites us. When you can hum a few bars of a song and the whole audience chimes in, it’s pretty remarkable.

CM: Your talk is called “Our Soundtrack.” What songs would be on your soundtrack?

GH: It would have to include some early rock and roll and roots music. I personally like music that has a little extra edge and grit to it. That includes old blues, old country, rockabilly, garage bands, punk rock as well as what we are calling today Americana. I’m a huge fan of people like Doug Sahm.

CM: What are the challenges of being the establishment end of an anti-establishment industry?

GH: Rock and roll is always pushing the envelope. And one of the challenges for us is to stay relevant. The music that was pushing the envelope a few years ago is pretty standard now. We have to continue to move and evolve as music evolves. Rock and roll has never just been four guys with long hair and guitars. Rock and roll has always been diverse type of music.

You could have Bridge Over Troubled Water and Purple Haze and The Supremes, and that’s all rock and roll.

CM: What’s your favorite band at the moment?

GH: I’m glad you said “at the moment,” because it changes regularly. I always seem to go back to the Rolling Stones, and right now I am really enjoying the Everly Brothers. We are honoring them with a tribute concert in Cleveland on October 25.

CM: Who was your first concert?

GH: My first big concert was a huge Southern rock show with the Allman brothers, The Outlaws, Charlie Daniels and Molly Hatchet.

CM: What’s the best part about your job?

GH: The best part is the way the music connects and inspires people. Everybody has a favorite song or a favorite band; when visitors walk through our front door, that’s inside them. If we can connect with that, we can inspire them in ways that few can.

CM: What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?

GH: They might be surprised to know that I can’t sing to save my life.

CM: What do you want readers to take away from this interview?

GH: Anybody who has grown up with this music has got to visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. We have been open for about 20 years and had 10 million visitors. Anyone who grew up with this music has got to make the pilgrimage to Cleveland.

TEDxSMU takes place November 1, 9 am-6 pm, at Dallas City Performance Hall. Tickets cost $150 and include breakfast, lunch and access to the after-party. Buy them while supplies last.

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Workplace accolades

6 Dallas retailers and restaurants make Time's best private companies list

Half Price Books presents Dallas Antiquarian Book Fair

Photo courtesy of Half Price Books

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Six Dallas-area brands in the retail, restaurant and hotel industries appear in Time magazine’s first-ever ranking of the best privately owned companies in the U.S.

At No. 69, the highest-ranked DFW-based brand among retail, restaurant and hotel companies on the list is Farmers Branch-based eyewear retailer Eyemart Express, which operates more than 270 stores nationwide. VSP Vision acquired Eyemart Express last year. Optometrist Dr. Doug Barnes founded Eyemart Express in 1990.

“Like VSP, Eyemart Express is a doctor-founded organization with similar values and a shared commitment to expanding access to affordable, high-quality eye care and eyewear to as many people as possible,” Michael Guyette, president and CEO of VP Vision, said last year.

Guyette is an alumnus of the University of North Texas in Denton.

Time teamed up with data provider Statista to launch the inaugural ranking of the country’s 500 best private companies. Rankings are based on employee satisfaction surveys along with a company’s impact on society, knowledge, health, and the environment.

Other DFW companies on the list are:

No. 127 Half Price Books, the Dallas-based bookstore chain.
No. 160 The Container Store, based in Coppell. Bed Bath & Beyond recently acquired The Container Store, which sells home organization products, for about $150 million.
No. 162 Uncle Julio’s, the Irving-based Mexican restaurant chain.
No. 377 Mary Kay, an Addison-based seller of cosmetics, skin care products, and body care products.
No. 439 TRT Holdings, the Dallas-based owner of the Omni Hotels & Resorts chain.

While not based in DFW, these businesses on the list should be familiar to Texans:

No. 75 H-E-B, the San Antonio-based grocery chain.
No. 141 Visionworks, the San Antonio-based chain of eyewear stores.
No. 165 Taco Cabana, the San Antonio-based Tex-Mex restaurant chain.
No. 198 Buc-ee’s, the Lake Jackson-based operator of mega-convenience stores.
No. 285 Blue Bell Creameries, the Brenham-based ice cream company.
No. 418 Whataburger, the San Antonio-based fast-food restaurant chain.
No. 447 Joe’s Crab Shack, the Houston-based seafood restaurant chain.
No. 491 Tailored Brands, the Houston-based owner of the Men’s Wearhouse, Jos. A. Bank and K&G Fashion Superstore menswear chains.

best rankings time business