60 years of harmony: The Harris Family Band's remarkable journey

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — For most families, old photo albums tell the story of childhood. For the Harris Family Band, it's the music.

For 60 years, the siblings have shared stages, road trips and memories that began with one guitar and a father who saw something special in his children.

"My father had brought a guitar home and a music book," John Harris said. "I think he was trying to learn, but Allan grabbed it and started improving day after day. My father saw that and said, 'Let's get the other kids involved. We might have something here.'"

That idea turned into a family tradition that has lasted six decades.

"It's hard to wrap my mind around that we have been performing for 60 years," Allan Harris, the oldest sibling, said.

The band's first performance was back on July 4, 1966, at the D.A.V. Club in Lake Springfield under the name "The Little Big Shots," a title their father proudly created.

Looking back, the siblings laugh about those early years, but they never imagined where the music would take them.

"You’re gonna get to play for some empty rooms and thousands of people," Allan said. "And you're going to get to play the big Grand Ole Opry too."

The family eventually did just that, performing on one of country music's most celebrated stages. Before walking out, they even taped "Hi, Mom" to the backs of their guitars, revealing the message during the performance.

Despite appearances at legendary venues and decades of performing, the Harris family says success has never been measured by the crowd size.

"When we were kids, we traveled all around the country," Allan said. "To know that 60 years later people still love what we do ... they dance, they laugh and they have a great time. To do that with your siblings, it's very hard to describe. It's a very special thing."

Their songs have evolved through the years, but the constant has been the people standing beside them. Long before they became a band, they were a family — and that's still the performance they're most proud of.

The band will be performing on Sunday, July 26th in Springfield at the Firefighters Club from 1-5 pm. For details, click here.