Aberdeen fire lieutenant and part-time Pinebluff firefighter, Zach Harris’ service comes in two powerful forms: fighting fires and making music. Born and raised in Moore County, Zach spent his childhood in Taylortown before moving to Pinebluff in 2005. He has spent the last eight years serving Aberdeen and five years serving Pinebluff, fulfilling a dream he has carried since childhood.
“I always wanted to be a fireman,” Zach said. “Fire fascinated me, and I like helping people. I lost friends in accidents I couldn’t do anything about, now I can.”
His journey began in 2017, when he joined Crestline (now Aberdeen Station 42) as a volunteer and went through the fire academy. The thrill and the ability to step in when people need help most have kept him committed ever since.
Before the fire service, there was music. Zach grew up in a musical family; his father plays trumpet, his mother sings, his sister plays bass, and his brother plays piano. He always wanted to play the saxophone, eventually saving up to buy his own and teaching himself by watching YouTube videos. He started by performing on the streets and at open mic nights around Southern Pines, slowly building a following, especially on social media.
After a few years, Zach wanted to try his hand at DJing, once again, teaching himself. Blending live saxophone with DJ sets created something unique, and adding some country songs helped him stand out.
“Since I play sax and DJ, I came up with the name DJ Saxy,” Zach said. And the name stuck. In just the last three years, he has performed over 200 weddings across North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Florida.
But some of his most meaningful performances aren’t at weddings or bars, they’re at nursing homes. Around holidays like Christmas and Valentine’s, he plays old-school jazz and classics that spark memories for residents.
“Sometimes they start crying and talking about how they remember the song,” Zach said. “Staff will tell me they haven’t talked in a long time. That’s a good feeling that music triggered memories. I try to make people feel good through music.”
To Zach, firefighting and music aren’t separate worlds; they have similar purposes.
“It’s saving a life or soothing a life, and that’s my motto,” Zach said. “That’s what I live by.”
Music is his outlet, his way to cope with the weight firefighters often carry. And whether he’s responding to a call or lifting spirits with a saxophone, DJ Saxy continues to serve Moore County with talent and passion.
“Zach has a heart of gold,” said his friend Madison. “He would honestly give his shirt off his back to the people he loves and his community.”
If you want to book a wedding or event, you can reach Zach at [email protected] or follow him on social media: Facebook at DJ Saxy and on Instagram at the_DJSaxy.
If you have someone you would like to nominate for our Meet Moore People segment, email [email protected] or [email protected]
Feature photo: Zach Harris as DJ Saxy. Photo by Eden Holt Photography.
~Article by Sandhills Sentinel reporter Curtis Self. Curtis has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2019.
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