Heru Journey

Before this prodigal son ever uttered his first words, this diminutive impresario was ‘cooing’ melodies from his highchair. HERU JOURNEY (pronouced HAY-ROO), was destined to be an artist.

This Pittsburgh, PA native is the fourth in line of nine children spawned by hard-working, blue-collar parents - HERU'S father worked two jobs and his mother also worked an arduous 8 hours daily. However, Sunday mornings were the exclusive province of HERU'S mother. What everyone consumed – from conversation to inspiration (especially music) was mandated, solely, by his mother. HERU and his siblings were held captive to the sounds of Louis Armstrong, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Mahalia Jackson, and Ed Ames. However, during the week while their mother was at work, they would sneak and listen to the rhythm & blues station with the call letters –WAMO and revel in the cool stylings of Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Sam Cooke, and The Motown Sound.
But, when their mother arrived home in the evening, she would once again dominate the musical repertoire and locate the stations crooning The Beatles, Paul Revere and the Raiders, Tommy James, the Shondells, The Four Seasons, Ray Charles, Nat King Cole, Bob Dylan, Don McClean, The Mamas and Papas and even Jim Nabors. So, suffice it to say, HERU'S music collection and eventually his imprint would be a colorful amalgam of all of these influences.
HERU as a child always had fantasies of performing. At age 9, he received a toy trumpet accompanied by a songbook for Christmas – which to this day is his favorite Xmas gift. He was able to play every song in the book by noon and by dinnertime he had memorized every selection. He was also creative enough to write his very first song. This was the equivalent of his “Aha” moment. He knew he was destined to a song writer and performer or at least hurt himself trying.
In fifth grade, HERU graduated to a ‘real’ trumpet. He was fortunate enough to have an early education Arts teacher named Harry Clark who really enjoyed sharing with him and his classmates his appreciation for music, acting and singing. Mr. Clark was a professional trumpet player himself. By the sixth grade HERU was the best instrumentalist in the entire school and was always selected to perform solos with a piano accompaniment by his music teacher for school assemblies and PTA meetings. HERU had also become quite skilled at playing the drums and along with his brothers were a force to reckon with when it came to percussive instruments and a variety of marching band and African drums.
While attending Middle and High School, HERU not only perfected his skills on trumpet, but also became quite adept on the French and baritone horns. HERU also received his first guitar at 13 years old and taught himself how to play and compose music on it. His brother got a bass guitar and they would exchange instruments until they both could play each instrument well. Now, this didn’t stop him from playing football for a cool minute, but once he was asked to play the trumpet and be the youngest member for the independent band, New Dawn; he couldn’t afford to get hurt or damage his hands – he was a good athlete, but music and performing were his lady and mistress. HERU began playing in the local clubs at 15 years old.
After graduating from High School, HERU was accepted into the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Music. He not only played with the school’s Marching, Concert and Jazz Bands, but one his Music teacher was so impressed with his dexterity and skills that he asked HERU to play some gigs with his band. Instead of requesting compensation for his work, HERU persuaded his instructor to allow his brothers to sit in on his music theory classes to prepare them for the band they were forming. It wasn’t that his brothers didn’t play as well as or better than his colleagues, but HERU knew that they had to be prepared to compete with the best bands out there. They had to make an impact and not only impressively play the ‘cover’ songs they loved but competently perform and compose their own music.

Heru and his brothers, Pete and Garry, formed the group Bright Moments with the top musicians from the neighborhood – Ron Beck, Keith Smith, and Gary Howard - who also happened to be their childhood friends. History was being written because they became the most revered and sought after band in the tri-state area of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and they also performed in New York and much of the Northeast US. HERU was not only one of the lead singers, but he also played horns, percussion and guitar.
Unfortunately, all great experiences have a ‘shelf life’ or they dramatically change direction when you least expect it. Bright Moments “turned the party out” for three unrelenting years. There were a lot of unhappy fans left wanting more, but HERU had to have surgery to remove polyps from his vocal chords. After the anestesia was administered the doctor informed him that an intern would be doing the surgery. Heru would not be able to sing again for more than 10 years. During that time he got married and started a family.
Thank goodness his genius wasn’t limited to only music – some of his many other talents include working in the insurance , tax, and financial planning industries. In 1988 he accomplished yet another goal of becoming a Certified Financial Planner.
During the 90’s, HERU not being able to find new music that moved him so he decided that the time had come for him to make his mark on the ART of music.

1992, HERU, picked up his guitar and began composing music and writing songs again. He built up quite a repertoire and in 2005 in the height of his financial career, HERUofficially retired and established his music and media company, FeatherHeart Media. The goal of FeatherHeart Media is to produce socially conscious and globally relevant content for listening, film and television.
HERU'S entrée into the music marketplace in the Spring of 2008 will be “WILL YOU BE READY” – a 12-song disc that has strong spiritual overtones as well as beautiful and poignantly conceived love songs. HERU wants this collection as well as future releases to have a positive, emotional reaction on its listeners – the kind that leads to personal acceptance and accountability, tolerance, and respect for all cultures. "Musically, I hope that people will enjoy my songs 100 years from now like we still enjoy Beethoven and Mozart now," he beams.
The title song, “WILL YOU BE READY?” speaks to the soul. “LISA”, is a song dedicated to the beauty and strength of a woman. “DON’T EVER GIVE UP HOPE”, should be required listening for everyone. It is the ‘banner’ song for picking yourself up when all you want to do is stay down. “I’M FALLING” is a fun, ode to Caribbean music meets ‘fool for love’, jam, that feels like you are on the dance floor on a Caribbean vacation. “TRUMPET PLAYER’S REUNION” is HERU'S tribute to all the great trumpet players that were his inspiration as a teenager. "JUST TO BE WITH YOU", a duet, is the ultimate wedding/love song. "THE HERO'S JOURNEY" is a musical adventure! "I wanted to make a statement with that song." he says. The songs on this debut album are so diverse in sound and structure that it can't be placed in any particular genre.
The Media division will focus on a more accurate, respectful and historical accounting of Egyptian Culture, unique and entertaining perspectives on the African Diaspora and American History, including the Trail of Tears, with the goal being to promote greater tolerence and love among people not only in the United States, but around the world. Also, there are several engaging life stories in store that will encourage all to take a closer inventory of what is really important in life.
Please do yourself a favor and get to know “HERU JOURNEY”.
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