Vance, Lee built his first bike using a Briggs and Stratton lawnmower engine mounted in a simple tube frame. Lee hung out in the garage with his brothers when they were around and snuck rides on their bikes when they weren’t. Like his brothers, Lee progressed
through a long line of motorcycles includ- ing a strange mix of Suzukis and Yamahas and even used a Honda 750 for his only means of transportation for more than two years. Despite his success at nearly every
endeavor he undertook, about 12 years ago Lee came to the frustrating conclusion that he’d never become the golfer he wanted to be. Instead of the golf course, Lee found himself spending his weekends with his brother Vance riding one of his F 650 GSes. Golf clubs relegated to a dark and dusty garage corner, the BMW bug bit Lee hard and he bought a 2004 R 1150 R and was hooked. Keeping Vance’s license plate in view while riding the curvy roads sur- rounding Birmingham has become Lee’s prescription to clear his head and along with Rob, the Harrelson trio has become constant traveling companions making
many memorable trips around the country. While Lee credits brother Keith for
developing his love of photography and brothers Rob and Vance for his love of
FEW FAMILIES SEEM AS CLOSELY KNIT AS THE HARRELSONS, AND OVER TIME THE BOUNDARIES SEPARATING LEE’S PHOTOGRAPHY,
MOTORCYCLING AND MUSIC HAVE BECOME MORE AND MORE BLURRED.
motorcycling, it’s his remaining brother that he blames for his love of music. With a musical palate deeply rooted in the south- ern rock he listened to as a kid, Lee truly enjoys all genres including blues, country
and soul. “Nothing moves me more that some of the old recordings of the Staple Sis- ters, Wilson Pickett, Arthur Alexander and Aretha Franklin,” Lee confesses. Back in the 1980s, Lee’s older brother
Mark worked in the music industry. As had been the case with Keith, Vance and Rob, Mark had an energetic and enthusiastic lit- tle brother hanging around, so he did what any older brother would do – he put Lee to work. Long before Lee should have been anywhere near night clubs, Mark had Lee wrapping cords and moving amps for the bands he mixed sound for. Later, Lee helped Mark produce a show in Birming- ham featuring Gregg Allman and some of the famous “Swampers” from Muscle Shoals. Looking back, Lee recalls a fun week full of rehearsals and band meals topped off by a great performance. Few families seem as closely knit as the
Harrelsons, and over time the boundaries separating Lee’s photography, motorcy- cling and music have become more and more blurred. In 2009, Lee’s brother Vance was the co-
chair for the BMW MOA Rally in Johnson City, Tenn., and Lee accepted the invitation
Left, An image from a shoot for Grapico. Above, On the stage at the BMW MOA Rally. August 2016 BMW OWNERS NEWS 81
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