'My true inner voice': Victorville teacher in running to win contest, open at Hollywood Bowl

Martin Estacio, Victorville Daily Press
·3 min read
Danny Harring.
Danny Harring.

Music has always played an important part in Danny Harring’s life.

“When I’m having a good time, I’m going to pick up my guitar,” he said in a video. “When, you know, I’m feeling kind of low, I’ll pick up my guitar and put it out there.”

Harring tried producing for a while. Things didn’t pan out, however. Other priorities snuck in. He got married, started a family and a career.

Harring has been teaching at Silverado High School in Victorville for two decades.

But when his parents both died within the past three years, he said the loss strengthened his passion and “deep desire to pursue music,” a style described as “metal/rock/jazz with a hip hop influence.”

“This is the reason that I am so driven to succeed at this,” Harring said in an email.

The math teacher hopes to get his big break and display his talent later this year in front of thousands on a stage at the Hollywood Bowl.

Harring is competing in the Opening Act competition hosted by the entertainment company, Audacy, Inc.

If he wins, it would secure his place as the opener for a concert at the Los Angeles venue and net him $10,000.

Last year’s winner opened for Coldplay, Black Eyed Peas, Doja Cat, Kid Laroi and Shawn Mendes at the We Can Survive concert in October.

Harring is in fourth place and said he needs votes by Aug. 1 when the concert’s lineup will be announced.

“It’s always been my dream to be a musician, but you know, life gets in the way and stuff like that,” he told a crowd before playing his electric guitar at The Social in Apple Valley on Thursday.

Danny Harring, left, stands with his late father, Danny Harring, Sr. in an undated photo. The elder Harring was shot and killed by his nephew in June 2019.
Danny Harring, left, stands with his late father, Danny Harring, Sr. in an undated photo. The elder Harring was shot and killed by his nephew in June 2019.

Harring said his father, Danny Harring, Sr., had been the main supporter in his music and was an entertainer himself.

Over the years, though, the younger Harring gave up on his dream. Until tragedy struck.

On June 6, 2019, authorities said a family dispute in San Bernardino led to a family member shooting and killing Harring’s father and wounding an aunt. His father had been caring for Harring's grandmother.

The suspect Dwayne Butler, the nephew of Harring’s father, turned himself into a police station hours after the shooting, the San Bernardino Sun reported.

Court records show Butler pleaded guilty to attempted murder and voluntary manslaughter in 2019. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

And last year, Harring’s mother died from breast cancer — a little over three years after his father’s death.

“While she was still with us, she was able to witness the fire that was re-ignited within me. She encouraged me as well,” Harring said. “Before she passed she told me don't ever quit.”

If he wins the contest, he plans to donate a portion of the $10,000 to help end gun violence.

Though Harring finds meaning and purpose in teaching high schoolers, he said “the music that I am making now is my own voice, my true inner voice.

I am no longer trying to write 'what I think people would like.' I've found the courage to be vulnerable and really put myself completely out there. This is really who I am now.”

To vote for Harring, go to theopenact.com/2022/danny-harring.

Daily Press reporter Martin Estacio may be reached at 760-955-5358 or MEstacio@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_mestacio.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Victorville teacher in running to win music contest, open at Hollywood Bowl