Ace Harris: The Soulful Voice of Modern Blues-Rock
Ace Harris is an American blues-rock singer and guitarist known for his raw vocal power and searing guitar work. Hailing from Chicago, Illinois, he achieved mainstream recognition with his 2018 album Rusted Steel, which debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200 chart and earned a gold certification for sales exceeding 500,000 copies.
Early career
Born in 1985, Ace Harris grew up immersed in the rich musical heritage of Chicago's South Side. He began playing guitar at age 14, initially learning licks from his father's collection of Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf records before discovering the rock influences of Stevie Ray Vaughan.
His professional start came in 2007 with the independent EP Southside Echoes, a self-released project that caught the attention of local club bookers. This led to steady touring across the Midwest and a development deal with the indie label Delta Sound Records in 2012.
Breakthrough
Harris's major breakthrough arrived in 2018 following his signing to the larger imprint Riverside Records. The label released his sophomore studio album, Rusted Steel, which became a surprise commercial success driven by strong rock radio support.
The album's lead single, Midnight Train, spent 15 weeks on the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, peaking at number 7. This success solidified Ace Harris's position as a leading figure in the contemporary blues-rock scene.
Key tracks
Midnight Train — This breakthrough single defined his signature sound and became his first top 10 rock radio hit.
Rusted Steel — The title track from his gold-certified album showcases his powerful songwriting and gritty guitar solos.
Chicago Wind — A fan-favorite live staple that pays direct homage to his city's musical roots.
Hold the Line (feat. Tasha Smith) — This 2021 collaboration expanded his audience through a potent mix of blues and soul.
Long Road Back — The lead single from his 2022 album Grit demonstrated his evolving lyrical depth.
Following the success of Rusted Steel, Ace Harris maintained a rigorous touring schedule, including opening slots for major acts like The Black Keys and Gary Clark Jr. His 2022 follow-up album, Grit, debuted at number 24 on the Billboard 200, proving his staying power beyond a single hit record.
His collaborative work is also notable, featuring guest appearances on tracks by southern rock band The Stews and a co-writing credit on Ella Vale's 2023 blues single River Run. Harris continues to record for Riverside Records, with a new album expected in late 2024.
For fans of Ace Harris's brand of blues-rock, similar artists include Gary Clark Jr, who similarly merges traditional blues with modern rock energy. The Black Keys share a comparable raw, riff-driven production style. Marcus King offers a parallel track of youthful virtuosity within the soul-blues genre. Black Pumas explore a related space where vintage soul aesthetics meet rock instrumentation.
The music of Ace Harris is a staple on many classic rock FM stations that feature modern artists, as well as dedicated alternative rock radio stations and online blues radio streams. His hits receive regular airplay on independent music radio stations focused on guitar-driven rock.
Listeners can discover the powerful blues-rock of Ace Harris on radio stations featured on our website. You can hear his catalog, from Midnight Train to his latest releases, through the variety of rock and blues radio stations available on onairium.com.
