The Premier of Harry Havery, Cultural Arts Director
As a new fiscal year takes the stage at SFSC, we’d like to shine the spotlight on a new member of our team. Harry Havery recently joined the College as director, cultural programs, and before the curtain rises on his first season, we invited him to step into the spotlight for a quick Q&A. Take a moment to get to know the person helping lead the show behind the scenes.
Places, everyone!
Meet Harry Havery.
Are you originally from Sebring?
I’m a Florida Cracker through and through. My family came to Sebring from Pleasantville, N.Y. in 1966. I was born at Walker Memorial Hospital in 1967.
What, originally, made you want to become involved in entertainment and the performing arts?
I got my start playing guitar and singing at St. Catherine Catholic Church of Sebring, way back when, in the old wooden building. Jeff Smoker was my first teacher, then Michele Devlin (Dr. Michele Heston now) and the legendary Ruth Bean. Roy Houchins and Chuck Fugate were also hugely influential.
What are your past work experiences that you enjoyed the most and why?
My wonderful friend Rodney Hollinger started California Toe Jam in 1984. That band has been a real source of fun and cool experiences for over 40 years. I have been entertaining solo since age 8. I was the music director of Bible Fellowship Church for 16 years. I ran a successful recording/teaching studio, Musicland, for 10 years and managed the historic Circle Theatre in Sebring. I’m just really grateful to have been able to make music for a living for 50 years!
How do you feel that they prepared you for your job at SFSC?
I’m in a very unique situation. I have experienced nearly every aspect of my new job from multiple angles. Through my experience as a solo entertainer and with my band, I have experienced being on the “artist” side of the business at more theaters, performing arts centers, clubs, bars, and private parties than I can remember. I have been on the promoting end for over 40 years and have run booking, advancing, hospitality, ticketing, marketing and promotions, graphic design, staging, tech, PR…you name it.
You’ve held several positions over the years within music venues or involved in producing music. Why do you feel that it’s important for an institution, such as SFSC, to provide performing arts for this community?
That’s a really simple question to answer: The arts are essential for human growth and development, like air, food, water, and shelter. Music and art have unlimited power. The power to heal, to soothe, to comfort, to build up. Conversely, music and art can also have the opposite effect. Whether it is used as a sword for dividing or a salve for healing depends on the user. As long as I’m able, I will use the power of the arts to lift, build, lighten, and encourage the community I love.
What changes do you plan for SFSC’s performing arts series in coming seasons?
Our outgoing director, Cindy Garren left us with a wonderful season of great performances. I have very few fingerprints on the 2026-27 season, but I have made a few changes. We will be utilizing the University Center for performances again and we will be going to a year-round schedule beginning in 2027.
What educational elements do you plan to incorporate into the 2026-27 season?
Cindy has been presenting the Young People’s Theatre series for many years. This series has been primarily directed toward serving elementary-aged students. I hope to expand the program to include shows for middle school students as well. I hope to increase our efforts to do more with Hardee and DeSoto counties. I am also developing a 10-year plan to get our SFSC students more actively involved in the Cultural Arts by offering more programs and services that will appeal to young people and fostering more engagement with the student body.
There is also a plan in the works for me to begin teaching some Community Education classes. I will be offering various lessons in music, like guitar, bass, and drums, plus possibly recording, live sound engineering, and podcasting. It’s my hope that these will be avenues that will lead to more student engagement and involvement. I’m anxious to get back to teaching again once some logistics and calendar issues are settled.
You cofounded the local band, California Toe Jam, in 1984. Who did you cofound it with and who were the original band members?
In 1984, I was a senior at Sebring High School. The cheerleading sponsor asked me and Rodney Hollinger, the guidance counselor, to put together a band for our annual Homecoming celebration, “Thunder.” The original lineup was me, Rodney, Rich Shepard, Jay Grubb, Roger Nubern, and Mike McElfresh, with Sean Szoka running sound.
What type of music did you originally play early on?
Our first songs were, “Barbara Ann,” “409,” and “Wipeout.”
Tell me about organizing the band and getting started as a band in a relatively small community.
California Toe Jam was my second band. Richie, Jay, and I dabbled around a bit before Toe Jam, and we also had a trio at the same time called, THE MUD DUCKS. We played Rockabilly music. As far as getting started, the City of Sebring hired California Toe Jam for a New Year’s Eve party on the circle in 1984. From there, word of mouth took over, and we’ve been working steady ever since.
Any growing pains?
Bands are like families. There are always growing pains. There are much fewer as we get older, though.
How has the band evolved over the years?
Mostly through personnel changes, and sadly, death. We lost Larry Johnson a few years ago, and Rodney followed Larry not so long after. Our current lineup is me, TJ Kinyon, Jordan Terrell, and Sawyer Humphrey.
You’ve hosted and produced The Havery Show since November 2024. Will you continue to host and produce that podcast?
Right now, I’m just too busy. I hope to bring it back in 2027, if not sooner. I have a plan up my sleeve…
What prompted you to start the podcast and who were some of your most notable guests and why?
My son Harrison accidentally prompted it. It ran for a year, and I believe I had about 48 episodes before I paused it to take this job. I’ve had professional musicians, authors, politicians, and community service people, but my focus was always on local legends, the people who helped make our community more special over the years.
You were a stay-at-home dad for 11 years. Do you mind discussing why that was?
My wife was a teacher, and I worked nights, so it made the most financial sense. Those were the best years of my life and I wouldn’t trade them for anything. I do have a great sadness, though, that Dawn missed out on being a stay-at-home mom. I wish there could have been a way for both of us to have had that experience. Family is everything to me. EVERYTHING. My wife and our kids, their spouses, and our grands are priceless treasures.
What is something that people, generally, don’t know about you?
Oh, there’s a whole lot that people don’t know about me…AND there’s a whole lot that I’m still learning about myself.
Break a leg, Harry!
Harry Havery‘s office is in Building A on the Highlands Campus. He can be reached at ext. 7192.
