The Outer Banks Voice – Professional Skateboarder Finds “Harmony” Through Sport, Music and Faith

Professional Skateboarder Finds “Harmony” Through Sport, Music and Faith

By Outer Banks Voice on July 2, 2021

For years, pro skateboarder Josh Harmony has made a name for himself showing off his talent in some of the biggest skateboarding videos in the industry. Harmony’s career has taken him around the world several times and has seen him featured in some of the biggest skateboarding videos and magazines in the industry, including several Thrasher magazine covers. Applying tricky tricks to wider handrail sand to push the boundaries, he quickly became a member of elite skateboarding companies Toy Machine Skateboards, Fallen Footwear, and RVCA Clothing.

As his skateboarding career progressed, so did his desire to create music. Harmony has released several CDs of music using a unique combination of gospel, bluegrass and blues music with a message of faith. Harmony’s simple, poetic lyrics express a desire for heaven, for physical healing – after having undergone several hip and knee surgeries due to skate-related injuries – and a desire for a deeper understanding of her life. Harmony spoke about his skateboarding, his musical roots, his faith and the platform of sports, music and art he uses to influence the next generation. Harmony lives in Long Beach, California with his wife Jenna and their three children.

Roman Gabriel: How did you come to make music, especially bluegrass?

Josh Harmony: I’ve been playing… since I was a kid. I really started to write songs [in] 2009.… Some of my favorites [include]: The Beatles, Elliott Smith, The Bluesman and Reverend Gary Davis. I’ve always had a love for bluegrass music… this amazing, untapped world of music that most people don’t know… coming back to guys like Doc Watson.

I started playing the banjo and was just inspired by it. I watched this documentary called “High Lonesome” on Belmont Row and all that area and the music there (in North Carolina). It’s incredible. It was great to have a few shows and the opportunity to hit the road.

RG: How did skateboarding become so important in your life?

JH: I didn’t really like team sports when I was a kid, but I played soccer and basketball and stuff when I was really really young. … I once saw neighborhood children skateboarding. …. One of them was a really good skater and he did this amazing trick. I saw it and I said, “What is it?” … I couldn’t believe you could do what they were doing on a skateboard. … When my dad asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I said I wanted a skateboard.

Then he took me to a skate shop and we kind of started to find out what it was about together. I remember watching [a] a skateboard video on their TV, and I was blown away by what you could do. I had no idea… it was this amazing culture or subculture. It was just amazing to discover.

RG: How has your faith impacted your professional careers in music and skateboarding?

JH: My inspiration for my music and my skate comes from the Holy Spirit. … He really is the one who turned me to all that God is… and inspired me to really write my music. He is a giver of every perfect gift. … Really, everything was Him. … I started skating,… I was born again around the age of 19. He turned my world upside down. … He is everything for me. … He gave these platforms, and my only hope is that people will see Christ through my life the way He is. [allowed] me to express myself.

RG: What would you say to a parent who might be concerned that their child is getting into skateboarding and the culture that accompanies the sport?

JH: I think that’s a justified concern, given that a lot of the skateboarding subculture is pretty dark. But there are also some great people involved in skateboarding. It’s almost like you don’t pray for your children and reason[ing] their right… whatever they get into. … Whatever your children do, they will have to face the jagged rocks of life. … The depravity of man is such a bad thing. We need to pray for the best for our children all the time, no matter what they are doing. … I think it’s important to encourage the things your kids are passionate about, otherwise we can drive a wedge between parents and kids.

RG: How have you and your fellow Christian skateboarders made a positive impact on the rest of the sport?

JH: Skateboarding has always reflected the counterculture, rebellious activity and culture. … Even now there are skateboarders that have tattoos 666 and Satan and all that. You can count on one hand those pro skateboarders who are in (high level) magazines and who do it for Christ and live for Jesus. … Those [who] To have [an] impact, it is strong enough. … As for me personally, I try to remain as influential as possible for Christ. … You sometimes feel like you are alone.

Learn more about skateboarding, music and the art of Harmony by visiting Youtube JoshHarmonyTV, Instagram and Facebook at Josh Harmony.

The Roman Gabriel Show radio show can be heard every Saturday and Sunday at 10:00 a.m. on Score 98.1 FM, and the Roman Gabriel Show Minute can be heard morning and afternoon on the East Carolina Radio Network in Dare County, NC North. The Roman Gabriel Show podcast is available at www.romangabrielshow.com wherever you listen to podcasts. Faith Family Sports â„¢

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