Budding Musician is Ready to Shine

Gwen Akers

The Ashland Beacon

Courtney Jo Harr began her musical journey at 14 and is now ready to debut as a singer and songwriter.

After a long break from the musical scene, Harr was persuaded and encouraged by her husband Micheal Harr to step back into the limelight. After a stroke when she was younger left half of her face paralyzed, Harr found her peace and escape in music. Music has always been her instrument of healing and understanding the world, and with the support of her husband, son Bradeyn, and family, she is now preparing to unveil her first EP this January.

Her husband, Michael Harr of 10 years, is one of Harr’s biggest supporters, and he could not be more excited and proud for his wife.

“We were friends for about two years, maybe a little less, and we [would] just take off and drive everywhere.  I heard her sing to the radio one day. I turn the radio down, and she just stared at me. I said, ‘Do you sing?’ She said, ‘Nope, I don’t sing.’  I aggravated her for a few weeks, only got her to sing a few things. She just had a good voice, and I just pushed her through,” explained Michael Harr.

Courtney Jo founded her band, the Courtney Jo Band, 2 years ago, and since then has toured all over the area. Born and raised in South Shore, she has toured and performed in a variety of cities–performing various genres but mostly country and classic rock. Harr started writing her own original music at the age of 25 and is now ready to step outside the safety net of singing covers.

“We throw in some originals here and there. We’re slowly getting out of the bar scene and starting to play festivals, fairs, and stadiums. We’re starting to get away from the covers, but it's hard to do whenever the crowd wants to hear stuff that they know. We play anywhere from Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, down to Charleston,” commented Harr about her time on the road with the band, “I love it. I like getting to go out and meet all kinds of people.”

These connections are what really make the traveling music life perfect for Harr as she loves getting to go to new places and meet new people. One couple in particular really brought all of this into perspective.

“A couple came up to me, and they followed me all the way from Toledo, Ohio down here. That was just mind-blowing,” Harr explained as an example of her connections.

Harr is heavily inspired by her life experiences, her family and friends, as well as fellow musicians such as Kelly Clarkson, Martina McBride, Carly Pierce, and local talents Corey Neace and Emmy Davis. Rebecca Derrederry is just one of Harr’s musical best friends. After meeting at the North American Country Music Association International Competition, the two instantly hit it off and have been encouraging each other in their musical pursuits since.

“She’s very passionate about music. She didn’t think she was ever going to be a singer. I mean, she didn't start singing until she was like 19 or 20. She discovered her gift, and she's decided to share it with the world. She’s very outgoing and personable at the same time. You talk to her, [and] you feel like you've known her for quite some time right away,” remarked Derrederry.

In her career, Harr has auditioned for the Voice 11 times and American Idol 10 times, and currently works as a talent recruiter for American Idol, as well as in Hospice. Harr warned that in this industry you have to be resilient and never take no for an answer, especially in the pursuit of making music your full-time career. Harr has never given up on her dreams and encouraged all those other dreamers out there to keep chasing after their passions.

 “If you really want it, you gotta go do it. I do watch a lot of the local music scene–they try for a little while, and then it's like they lose the spark for it. You just keep picking yourself back up from your bootstraps and just keep doing it,” expressed Harr.

Those interested in keeping up with Harr’s musical career should be on the lookout for her EP set to come out in January. Until then, remember Harr’s words about being resilient, and keep chasing after your dreams just as she has hers.

Life In Color: Sydney Suman

Gwen Akers

The Ashland Beacon

No matter if it is the paintings on our walls or the music playing through our stereo, artists never fail to put a smile on our faces. August is Artist Awareness Month, so we should take a moment to celebrate the stories of all our local artists. In the spotlight is Sydney Suman, a recent Paul G. Blazer High School graduate who is making the world a brighter place through her work with abstract art.

“I've always loved drawing, painting, doing anything creative,” explained Suman.

While attending Holy Family in her younger years, Suman began taking art classes in kindergarten. She continued taking them all throughout her high school career, and art itself has become an integral part of her life. Now, Suman does her paintings on the side while studying Psychology at Eastern Kentucky University and even takes commissions from time to time.

“I just love being able to express myself in other ways than just your typical day-to-day stuff,” expressed Suman.

Whether as a way to process her emotions or as a way to connect with others, Suman’s art is her instrument of expression. Usually, she begins her paintings by covering the canvas in a base color and then adds using acrylic or occasionally watercolor paint. Her process is all about understanding what the painting wants to say and adding until Suman is satisfied with the final product. This creates the layers and color combinations that characterize Suman’s work.

“A lot of the time [when] I do a painting, I'll do maybe half of it or majority of it in one sitting and then a lot of the time I end up just going back. I'll sit and look at it for a little bit and I’ll put it on my easel, and every time I walk past it, I just feel like it needs more. Sometimes, I could finish it [a painting]  in one sitting. Sometimes, it can be a couple of days; sometimes it could be a couple of weeks.  It just kind of really depends on how I feel about that specific one,” explained Suman about her art process.

Abstract art in itself is all about exploring the different dimensions and feelings of color, and Suman certainly does that in her artwork. Using sponges, art spatulas, and other tools, Suman is able to experiment with the limits of color and her imagination. Suman also explores other artistic mediums and experiments with them depending on her inspiration–from drawing to watercolors to portraits, Suman is never afraid to step outside of her comfort zone and try new ways of expression.

Those interested in checking out Suman’s work or inquiring about commissions should check out Sydney Suman on Facebook or message her or call her cell at: 606.922.2911.

Sydney Suman keeps bringing smiles to people, as well as herself, as she uses her art to explore both herself and the blossoming world around her. Keeping Suman’s story in mind, don’t be afraid to reach out and embrace your inner artist during this artist awareness month, and remember–it’s never too late to create with us!

Three Generations of Smiles

Grace Phillips

The Ashland Beacon

It was 1958 when James E. Daniel began his dental practice in Ashland, KY.  He originally was in practice with Dr. Roscoe Justice.  His practice moved to its current location on Central Avenue in 1960 from the first office that was just two doors away. His personality was always bigger than life, and soon his new practice was thriving.

Many people in the area remember Dr. Daniel fondly and recount the things he would always say during their visits.  Cheri Daniel, his daughter-in-law, recalled one of the former patients said he would always say “BAM! There goes that bright light!”  she continued, “He was the big personality.  This wasn’t a job to him; this is what he loved to do….he loved the people.”  Ellen Keaton was his patient from a child through young adulthood.  She remembered the office always having the children’s Highlights magazine.  “Dr. Daniel would take us back for our check-up.  When he brought us back to our mom in the waiting room, he would always say, ‘Look Mom, no cavities.’ There was always a smile with him.”

In 1991, a father’s dream came true when his son James E. Daniel II graduated from dental school and decided to join the practice.  When asked why he wanted to be a dentist, the younger Dr. Daniel replied, “Probably because I had been around it all my life…it’s all I knew.  You do what you know.  Dad had a great practice to come to.  I had an uncle that was a dentist and another that was an oral surgeon, so it was kind of a family tradition.  There are tons of nice patients, but they aren’t just patients.  We get to know them and their families and who they are related to…it’s just really rewarding.”

Sadly, the father and son only had a few years together in the practice.  The senior Dr. Daniel was diagnosed with cancer in 1994 and passed away in 1996, just two weeks before his grandson Wesley was born.  Dr. Jim, as he is called, stated he learned so much in that short time.  “I wouldn’t change a thing.”  

The family tradition continued last week when Dr. Jim Daniel’s son, Dr. Wes Daniel, came home to join the practice…a 3^rd generation.  Dr. Wes graduated from the University of Kentucky in May.  “There was never really any pressure from them for me to go into dentistry; it just kind of came naturally to me. I saw how much Dad and his dad enjoyed what they did.”  Dr. Wes has spent most of the summer getting the office prepped and his equipment ready to begin his practice.  One of the newest moves will be to digital dentistry and moving away from paper files.

 Dr. Wes remarked, “It’s like the best of the old and the best of the new.  They teach us a certain way in school, but it doesn’t always work in practice. It has been really cool getting to talk with my dad and learn from him.”  Dr. Jim Daniel interjected at this point, “When you train to do a job, you get used to using certain materials…he’s got a whole new crop now…I get to learn some things from him.”   Dr. Jim learned a lot of things from the senior Dr. Daniel, “He would teach me tricks and things that they don’t teach you in school…things to make the job easier.”

Mom and wife, Cheri Daniel commented, “I’m so glad they have each other.  I used to listen to Jim and his dad talk on Sundays when he was in school.” She laughed, “Back then, we only called each other on Sundays.”  Cheri continued, “Wes would call us from school and talk about the things he was doing and learning and I would listen to the two of them talk.  It was really nice listening to them and watching the circle of life take place in front of me.”

Sandy Greene has been with the office since 1968 and is now working with the 3^rd generation of Daniels.  She runs everything in the office from paying bills to scheduling and is the first face you will see when you walk in their door.  She is very modest about her importance to the office, but Dr. Jim quickly adds that Sandy is the glue that holds the office together. “I will tell you that when Dad passed away and I was bombarded with a schedule I had to keep, she got me through it.”  They all joked about how Sandy has kept them all in shape while keeping the office operating smoothly for many years. 

The proud tradition of Daniel Family Dentistry continues, and the future is in great hands with the addition of Dr. Wes Daniel.  He is now accepting new patients. If you would like to schedule an appointment with him, you can call 606.325.2469, and Sandy will be happy to schedule that for you.  The office is located at 1408 Central Avenue, Ashland, KY. You can also check out their website at danielfamilydental.com.

Queen Beads: Young Business Owners Are Working Hard for the Honey

Sasha Bush

The Ashland Beacon

            Business ownership at any age can be a daunting task to embark upon, but it’s the complete opposite for one young group of local entrepreneurs. Emma Hieneman, Ava Mcalister, Mia Young, Lucy Compliment, and her sister Piper Compliment have truly found the secret to running a successful business. In late May of 2023, these ambitious young ladies came up with the idea to start up a business that would offer custom bracelets, phone charms, rings, and so much more.

            With the help of their supportive mothers, this young team of soon-to-be business owners quickly came up with the name, Queen Beads. “So, the idea for the business was actually my mom’s. But, I came up with the name, and then we just kind of went with it,” shared Young. Due to the determination of these young business owners, Queen Beads became an overnight success. The girls soon found themselves filling custom orders left and right. News of this sweet new business was spreading like wildfire.

            With what seemed like overnight success, the girls continued with that momentum, and soon word had spread of these busy little bees and their creative works of art. I recently ran into four of the five owners of this business, which was all the buzz at one of Ashland’s Makers Markets on The Square events. I have to say they couldn’t have picked a more appropriate name than Queen Beads for their little business.  There sat five young ladies completely focused on the work at hand. I observed five young ladies who were completely dedicated to the success of their business and one another.

            Queen Beads offers a wide variety of premade designs for purchase, or you can place a custom order via their Facebook page.  Emma Hieneman noted that she and the other girls would have brainstorming sessions where they would just get together and come up with ideas for their creations. One might say this is where all the magic happened. Piper Compliment was excited to share, “My favorite thing about running a business is coming up with the ideas for the bracelets and stuff with my friends. It’s just really fun to work together on it. The hardest part about owning our business is trying to keep all the beads organized and not letting them get mixed up.” Young agreed with Compliment, “My favorite thing about owning a business is for sure being able to do it with my friends. It’s just so much fun.”

            Since the grand opening of Queen Beads, the girls have made and sold over 100 custom bracelets and have no plans of stopping there. In fact, they all share the same goal. A year from now, they hope their little locally-owned business can spread its wings and branch out to other local areas.  Behind every successful businesswoman is that businesswoman’s mother. All five of the girls’ mothers are beyond proud of the success their daughters have experienced thus far. “It’s exciting to see them coming together, making custom orders, and interacting with the people. It’s also great to see them do so well with it. I just love that they are spending time together making money and learning new things,” Hieneman’s mother shared.