HARLON BELL - GOLDENBOY

TAYSTE

Interview 15 November 2001

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I along with the other members of TAYSTE grew up in a town called Tyler,TX which is about 100,000 people. It is close to surrounding large cities like Dallas, Houston, and others. We are a family group, two brothers and our cousin. We all grew up singing in church. Our fathers are Ministers. Our parents want us to sing Gospel.
We grew up listening to The Jacksons, Stevie Wonder and basically all kinds of music.

The music scene here is full of talent but not enough attention. There are all kinds of groups and artists here in every genre. If I am able to get my label financed I will sign some of them.

I grew up singing solo as an artist first. I would sing in talent shows, and schools, colleges or anywhere I could. I would have guys paying me to sing to their girlfriends, for their benefit of coarse.

TAYSTE came together my senior year in High School. As I said we are family, so my brother and I always sang together. I was always the out front non-shy one and he is just the opposite but has an awesome voice and vocal range. We all decided we should get together, instead of meeting different places singing separate.

We got together, there were four of us at the time. We entered a "Just say no to Drugs" talent contest, which we won first place that after just one or two rehearsals.

Mitch (QUIET STORM), my brother is laid back, he is a support role he mainly sings background and some lead. He doesn't care to be out front. Alaric (BIG BABY A.J.) is a powerhouse vocalist who can bring down a
building with his voice. He is a big guy, when people see him they assume he sings bass but he can't go near it. He is a alto soprano, Mitch is an alto/tenor, and Haron(GOLDEN BOY) is the most versatile of the group who
covers all areas from fifth tenor to bass. GOLDEN BOY is the lady killer and a crowd pleaser, this is why he's out front. He is the one that gives the audience what they want (a great show).

This particular album was done in 1998 and released locally and regionally in 1999. With some success and some interests from major and independent labels. The only problem is that they wanted to take GOLDEN BOY as a solo artist because they did not feel that the big guy was marketable. I turned down these offers trying to be unselfish. I regret this because I still could have opened up the doors for the group on
my solo project.

So that's how the GOLDEN BOY solo maxi-single came about but after I had turned down the offers. I realized we did not have to make it the way we had it planned in our minds, but we could turn an
opportunity into something great. So We are still trying, but I have my own label and when I get financing we will take the world by storm because be have a lot to offer and we are blessed by GOD.

We do gig as a group, and I gig solo. We have performed in many cities in the US, and have opened concerts for some major artists. They don't try to help you because they fear you after they hear you sing. This is our
experience with them anyway. We've had a lot of broken promises.

At the beginning of our career together we were managed by the same manager as "Destiny's Child", as a matter of fact I connected them. I was the first dance choreographer for D.C. then know as "Girls Tyme".
Anyway, we were offered deals from all the majors and our management turned them all down because they wanted to buy her out and put us with an experienced management company. This was before Matthew Knowles took over the management role for "Destiny's Child". No I'm not still in contact with them because after all this happened we left that management and move back to Tyler from Houston, TX where we were living to record our project.

The other group members are right now just singers, and trying to develop their writing skills. They come up with great hooks, but don't concentrate on the whole song. I end up writing it and I have stopped doing that and
encourage them to finish the songs themselves. Writing is another one of my gifts, I can write a song in less than twenty minutes. When the idea starts it just flows.

I enjoy singing what I write more than writing it, because there's nothing like being on that stage and people are singing your song right with you. It's amazing! I am learning piano, I can play what I need to play to
produce tracks for right now but I want to be a great performer all the way around. I will be a complete musician. I do play drums, rapping is something that I just fell into because I just like to do all things well.
That's why the name is GOLDEN BOY. Some would say I'm cocky, but that is not true at all. I just know what I want and I believe in my abilities, and will allow no one to limit me.

Golden Boy comes from my skin complexion and my desire to do all things well. I aspire to be one of the worlds greatest performing entertainer and songwriter of all time.

I am currently working on a solo album that will also feature vocals by TAYSTE. GOLDEN BOY is the key member of TAYSTE. So basically whatever I do I still represent TAYSTE. We are also working on a TAYSTE project.

The GOLDEN BOY solo thing took over from the group basically because I am a workhorse and I am determined to make it. The members of the group basically follow my lead and I will lead them to great things.
The album will be full of hits, a complete album no junk fillers.The TAYSTE album will be full of hits, we wont release anything less.

I write all styles of music, and I am currently working with different artists in pop R&B and Country in the attempt to get songs placed on major artists who need material. I am open to anything I just want to use every
gift I have been given by GOD, to share and help others.

I have offers to come over seas to tour as well as with the group also. We will see, The war thing is making over seas travel a caution, but who knows we may be in your neighborhood sooner than later.

We will not turn down a deal from a major or a strong independent if the offer is good. We are on our own label at the moment TAYSTE RECORDS. I am seeking investors to finance the label. If we attain financing, we won't need a deal. Which ever comes first, we just won't to sing.

Thank you for your service and allowing us to have a voice to speak across the world.

Keep an eye out for us because it is just beginning.

We love everyone!

GOD BLESS ALL

TAYSTE
HARLON - GOLDEN BOY
MITCH - QUIET STORM
ALARIC - BIG BABY A.J.