Chattanooga rapper finds solace in music after watching friend die [photos]

Deisman Harrison sits in the back room of the Dodson Avenue barber shop where he works Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Harrison's friend, Johny Montgomery, was murdered in Walker County, Ga., last year.

By Tyler Jett October 15, 2016 9 min read

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Local rapper finds solace in music after murder of friend

Deisman Harrison attends a customer at the Dodson Avenue barber shop where he works Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Harrison's friend, Johny Montgomery, was murdered in Walker County, Ga., last year.

Deisman Harrison trims a customer's beard at the Dodson Avenue barber shop where he works Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Harrison's friend, Johny Montgomery, was murdered in Walker County, Ga., last year.

Deisman Harrison sweeps the floor at the Dodson Avenue barber shop where he works Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Harrison's friend, Johny Montgomery, was murdered in Walker County, Ga., last year.

Deisman Harrison puts on his barber's shirt before cutting hair at the Dodson Avenue barbershop where he works Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Harrison's friend, Johny Montgomery, was murdered in Walker County, Ga., last year.

He bounced in the back seat, tilted and shook his head, grinned and yelled as the chorus faded into the verse.

“In and out of jail, I was a wild child!

“My mama praying hard, I quit this lifestyle!”

Deisman Harrison, 29, was in a white Dodge Dart on a Friday night in August, the bass vibrating the windows while a friend steered down the highway. They smoked cigarillos and rapped along to “Stay Strong.”

The song belongs to Harrison and his collaborator, Johnny Montgomery. Aka JJ. Aka Jay Mont.