JEZEBEL (JEZ): Harry, growing up in New Orleans, you've spent a good portion of your life in the South... What's your favorite thing about it?
HC: I really like the people (smiling). They are really relaxed and wear cool clothes all the time, especially in Atlanta. You know, it really takes a lot to upset Southerners... you know what I mean?

JEZ: Completely...
HC: ...the weather is great too.

JEZ: No doubt. Well, we know how much you love our fine city...
HC: ...Oh yes, I have a lot of ties to Atlanta. I have played here a whole bunch of times and my dad used to live in Atlanta. In fact, my great uncle did all of the tile work at the Fox Theatre, he did some of the most beautiful tile work. My great uncle was a mason here as well.

JEZ: In addition to your uncle's tile work, what do you like most about Atlanta?
HC: (Excited) It's got a great vibe. It is the true essence of a metropolitan southern city. The people are great. I like hanging out in Buckhead; I've been to so many cool places. And, I gotta tell you Beth, there sure is some great food in this city.

JEZ: Yes there is! Do you visit often?
HC: About once a year when I'm on tour.

JEZ: Any big plans when you are in town this time?
HC: I have a cousin who lives here. A lot of my cousins and family are coming to Atlanta, so I'll probably hang out with them. We always go out together when we're all in town.

JEZ: So tell me Harry, do you read JEZEBEL?
HC: Of course!

JEZ: What do you like most about it?
HC: It's super hip. You know, I like that it has a modern vibe... and it's really cutting edge.

JEZ: What do you miss most about living in the South?
HC: I miss being close to my family. I also miss the food and having access to certain ingredients for cooking and things like that. Of course, I live in New York so I can get most of that stuff up there, but it's just a different feel up North... you know what I mean?

JEZ: I sure do, I grew up in New York, but I absolutely love Atlanta...
HC: ...So you're with me then... I mean New York is great. My mother was from there and I feel very much at home in New York, but I just miss the whole feel of the south. Although, I do make sure to get home often so that I don't really have to miss it much.

JEZ: Speaking of growing up, as you became involved in music so early on, do you ever feel that you missed out on a "normal" childhood?
HC: Not really... I had a very full childhood. I was in music and things like that, but I was also playing ball and going to school and everything else. So I had what I like to think was a fairly normal childhood.

JEZ: Harry, I have to tell you that When Harry Met Sally is one of my favorite movies. I love it, and I especially love the music. What were your thoughts when Rob Reiner asked you to compose the soundtrack?
HC: Honestly, I didn't think it was him when he called. I thought it was somebody playing a joke on me, because I was about twenty and nobody knew who I was. I was so flattered when he asked me to do it. I played a little piano on the actual score to the movie and then I did the songs on the sountrack album. It was a great opportunity. I'm indebted to him always for that.

JEZ: Were you always a big fan of Sinatra?
HC: Oh yeah. He's the best singer for that style of music. Being a student of that for so many years, I looked up to him and still do. He was the best. There's no doubt about it.

JEZ: How does it feel to be compared to such a musical icon?
HC: I take all of those comparisons with a grain of salt because I know that he was the best. But, I'm thirty-four. I have a lot of growing to do. When he was thirty-four he had a lot of growing to do too. So I'm honored that people would compare me to him. I'm just trying to do the best that I can.

JEZ: So tell me, to whom do you attribute your great sense of personal style?
HC: You know I try to be as stylish as I can be without really basing it on anything. A friend of mine, Steven Cirona, is one of the top people over at Tommy Hilfiger. Steven is a dear friend of mine and we like to go shopping together. It's funny, when I go shopping by myself I end up buying things that I really like. When I go shopping with him... (laughing)... it's like this huge event. He'll get the whole store running around and get lunch brought in. He insists that we have drinks and that they treat us like kings. Of course, I end up buying a bunch of things. I always love what I buy, but it's always a huge event. So to answer your question (smiling), I'd have to say that Steven is my fashion guru.

JEZ: Who are some of your favorite designers?
HC: I like Gucci a lot. I like Yves Saint Laurent. The stuff that they're doing right now is great, really great. I think they're cool. My favorite designers are probably Gucci and YSL, Prada as well. They're all great. And I love a lot of Tommy Hilfiger.

JEZ: What's one item of clothing you'd never be caught wearing?
HC: I've worn just about everything and I've done some crazy photographs. I don't normally wear really trendy stuff. It's not that I won't wear it, I mean, I don't feel that uncomfortable wearing it. But I've worn some crazy things. I'm a freak for that kind of stuff.

JEZ: How about a G-string on the beach, would you wear that?
HC: Well, I'd wear a G-string, but I don't know about on the beach. I have a reputation and other things to protect as well, you know.

JEZ: Yeah (laughing)... so... If you could trade your fame for anything in the world, what would it be?
HC: My fame? I'd give that away for nothing. That's not why I do what I do. I love fame in a sense because it allows me to have an audience to play for. You know, I wouldn't be able to do the things that I do, like travel with a big band and have that luxury. But fame itself, that's not why I came to the dance.

JEZ: No doubt. What has been your greatest musical motivation?
HC: The motivation comes from inside. I was born with the talent to play music.

JEZ: Since your parents were both lawyers, did you ever consider going into the legal field?
HC: Man, I'm too stupid to be a lawyer. That's the bottom line.

JEZ: You seem to be a pretty sharp guy... well, let's talk about leisure time. What are your favorite things to do when you're not working?
HC: I enjoy spending time with my family. I like football, I like watching football on TV and going to sporting events. You know the typical stuff... hanging out with friends, going out to dinner, just chilling out, and reading JEZEBEL of course.

JEZ: I know that you currently have a show on Broadway called Thou Shalt Not. Do you feel that the terrible September 11th events impacted the opening and the running of the show?
HC: Definitely. People are freaked out about New York and going out, so unfortunately it has had a huge impact on our show. But, things have improved slowly but surely.

JEZ: What do you think about the way that President Bush is handling the situation?
HC: To be honest, I haven't watched the news much lately. I find that the media has done a pretty good job of scaring everybody half to death, and I don't have time to be scared. I have shows to do. I hope that they can annihilate terrorism, but I tell you, every time you turn on the news it's the same story over and over again. And the way they report the news in the United States is different than the way they do it in other parts of the world. It's just sensationalized so much over here and it makes me kind of sick.

JEZ: Have you been asked to participate in any special type of performances?
HC: I haven't been asked to, but I'd be willing to do it to support the troops, or to raise money for the policemen or firemen or the families that were victimized, I'd be more than willing to help.

JEZ: Would you consider traveling over there to see the troops?
HC: In a heartbeat. I'd be there on the next plane if they asked me.

JEZ: What's the atmosphere like in New York these days?
HC: As you know, New York is a pretty tough town. I mean, they got slammed on September 11th and they just came back. It was like a week and things were really weird and they just started crawling out again, and as far as I'm concerned, it's back to normal. The grieving process will go on for quite some time for sure, but they're ready to move on.

JEZ: While we are on the topic of New York, did you always dream of composing for a Broadway show?
HC: I didn't always dream of it... (pausing)... but I've always sung those songs and in the back of my mind, I knew if the chance came along I would take it because I wanted to be a part of that tradition. Susan Stroman asked me if I wanted to write the music to this new show she was doing and I said I would love to. And I had a great time. I hope I can do it again.

JEZ: Did you have any part in selecting who was going to be singing your songs?
HC: Sure did. I was part of the audition process and basically it was a decision made by me and Stroman and this guy David Thompson who wrote the stage play. We all agreed on who we wanted, it was a pretty effortless process to cast the people.

JEZ: What's it like to see other people performing your music?
HC: It's a little unsettling at first, only because you feel a little embarrassed. I can't really describe the feeling to you, but after a while you get used to it and then you just revel in their interpretation because they're so talented.

JEZ: What was your inspiration for the latest, Songs I Heard?
HC: I really like a lot of those songs from Wizard of Oz and Annie. They're great songs and I thought it would be cool to do an album that not only people our age and older could enjoy, but kids too.

JEZ: Is there any musician with whom you really want to perform?
HC: Well, I work with so many great people. I've played with Ella Fitzgerald, Buddy Rich, Lionel Hampton, and so many other great people. I've pretty much worked with everybody, all of my heroes.

JEZ: So, tell us how did you meet your beautiful wife... former Victoria's Secret model, Jill Goodacre?
HC: (smiling) I met her in Los Angeles back in 1990. She was walking past the pool in the hotel where I was staying, I was swimming in the pool and saw her. I found her to be quite beautiful, so I jumped out of the water and introduced myself and (pausing)... the rest is history.

JEZ: That is just too cute. And speaking of cute, what have people told you is your sexiest feature?
HC: Oh, gosh (blushing). Well, Jill has her own opinions about that... but I don't know. People see different stuff. I'm always flattered that people will say stuff like that. I don't know, that's embarrassing.

JEZ: Okay, I'll let you off the hook for that question...
HC: Whew... thanks...

JEZ: But of course, I have another... What do you think is the sexiest feature on the female body?
HC: (Big grin) Well, I like the body itself, a lot. I like healthy girls. I think health is a good feature. You know what I'm saying?

JEZ: Yeah...
HC: I like athletic, healthy girls. But I guess if I had to pick a feature, it would probably be the eyes. I really like beautiful eyes.

JEZ: Who do you think are the three sexiest female celebrities out there right now?
HC: Well, my wife is by far number one, but after her, let me think for a second. Oh man, I'm blanking! I know there are some pretty sexy girls out there...

JEZ: ...Would you say Gwyneth Paltrow or Atlanta's own Julia Roberts is more your type?
HC: Well I think they're both real talented, but neither is really my type. You know who I think is real sexy... Kate Winslet. Oh, and Cate Blanchett too. Yeah, now I'm starting to think of some. I like them, they're real smart.

JEZ: What about former JEZEBEL cover model Jennifer Lopez?
HC: You know, she's an unbelievably beautiful woman, but she's a little too much for me. I mean she's gorgeous and everything, but I like women who are a little more conservative.

JEZ: I know you worked with Sandra Bullock. What was that like?
HC: She's another one -- smart, sexy, and beautiful. I love her.

JEZ: And also Sarah Jessica Parker.
HC: There's another one. She's an incredibly sexy, incredibly intelligent, beautiful woman!

JEZ: So we hear you may be performing for the 2002 Olympics. What's the scoop on that?
HC: I might be. They called me and asked me to. Whether it happens or not I couldn't say. I hope I can. It would be a lot of fun. I've never done that before, so that would be cool

JEZ: What do you want to be remembered for?
HC: I just want to be remembered. I don't care what they remember me for. I just want people to say, "I remember him." That's it.

JEZ: I'm sure they will. Any regrets?
HC: No. Well, maybe one. I wish I had played football in high school. But that's about it... You know who else I think is sexy? Halle Berry. She's a sexy woman. I think she's a classy woman too.

JEZ: Speaking of classy and sexy females, what do you like most about Southern women?
HC: Man, they just get it. They understand what it's all about. They know how to live life. They're laid back. They let it all hang out. I like that.

JEZ: You think you'll ever move back to the South?
HC: Maybe one day. My wife is from the South. She's from Lubbock, Texas, so maybe one day I'll move back down there. Not right now though.

JEZ: Well in the meantime, every now and then we have a celebrity act as a JEZEBEL editor. Would you be up for doing that?
HC: Yeah. That would be fun.

JEZ: So tell me, how do you feel about being on JEZEBEL's cover?
HC: I'm honored. It's really cool.

JEZ: Harry, is there anything else you'd like to share with our readers?
HC: Well, I'm happy to be a part of the magazine and I hope everybody enjoyed the show in Atlanta and keeps supporting us.

JEZ: Thanks, Harry, I've enjoyed chatting with you. If you ever need anything in Atlanta, give us a call.
HC: Absolutely.