Brent Harman, president and CEO of Sonny Bryan’s Smokehouse, has a full plate. With two kids—son McKay, 9, and daughter Ainsley, 7—from a previous marriage and a new baby boy, Murdock (aka “Doc”) with wife Elle, the 39-year-old Park Cities resident squeezes in as much family time as possible while running a successful business. How does he stay connected to his kids? By putting them first, never missing their games and bringing them to the golf course to share his favorite pastime.
WHAT’S THE BEST PART ABOUT BEING A DAD?
I feel happy when they succeed—to see them learn something new at school and be excited about it, or to make a goal in soccer or to get a hit in the baseball game. It’s a tremendous thrill, and one you don’t really grasp before you have children.
WHAT SURPRISES YOU ABOUT YOUR CHILDREN?
What surprises me with a 9- and a 7-year-old is how much they know and the questions they ask. In a lot of ways, I still look at them like they just learned to talk, but my son (McKay) is 9! They always know more than you think they do, and their minds are just absorbing so much stuff. They’re growing so much faster than you realize.
NOW THAT YOU’RE DAD TO DOC, ARE YOU READY FOR DIAPER DUTY AGAIN?
I am ready for sure. It does not seem as daunting as before, and I know Ainsley and McKay will be good helpers.
HOW DO YOU RUN A BUSINESS AND STAY INVOLVED WITH YOUR KIDS’ LIVES?
I do find it challenging, but I really simplify it—I just make them the priority. I don’t miss their games. For me it starts with a commitment to them, and I’m lucky that my job has some flexibility and doesn’t require me to travel very much.
DO YOU HOPE YOUR KIDS WORK FOR SONNY BRYAN’S WHEN THEY GROW UP?
If they want to get involved, that would be great, but I want them to grow up knowing that they can do anything. My son has said since he was really little that he wants to be an astronaut. Ainsley has said she wants to be a fireman, but she’s at that age where what she wants to be changes every minute!
ANY CHARITY WORK SLATED ON YOUR SCHDEULE?
Our company is very involved with The First Tee of Dallas. The concept is to take the game of golf and introduce it to inner city kids (who otherwise wouldn’t have access to it) and teach them life skills. You learn about responsibility, courtesy, playing by the rules—it’s a terrific program.
WHO HAS CHANGED OR INSPIRED YOU?
My wife has, for sure. Elle (who co-owns Warren Barrón bridal salon in Highland Park Village) has shown me love in a deeper way than I really knew existed. I think that has made me a better parent. I feel more love for my children.
FAVORITE FAMILY VACATION:
The beach. Last year we went to a beach in North Carolina, but the previous two years we went to a beach in Alabama. McKay and Ainsley are like fish—they swim great, and they’re old enough now where they can just go down to the beach by themselves. You just have to drag them back to the house for another layer of sunscreen. My wife and I can sit and read our books. It’s very relaxing.
HOW DO YOU LIKE SPENDING YOUR FREE TIME?
I love to play golf. We’re members of Dallas Country Club and I love to play there. That’s where I take the children, up to the chipping area. We spend time there as a family, playing golf and eating.
HOW DO YOU CELEBRATE FATHER’S DAY?
Since I can remember, [my] family gathered on Father’s Day to watch the US Open together and eat fried chicken. The US Open is always on Father’s Day—at least it has been as long as I can remember. And that’s what Dad (Walker Harman) wanted as his Father’s Day tradition. It still happens at his house. I have great memories of the different US Opens, and I know I was always with the family that day.
SIGNATURE COLOGNE?
Polo Black
FAVORITE PLACE TO SHOP:
Billy Reid at NorthPark Center
FAVORITE PLACE TO GOLF:
Pebble Beach in California
DO YOU COLLECT ANYTHING?
I collected baseball cards, but they have not been touched since the late ’80s! Hopefully one of my sons will pick up the mantle.
IF YOUR HOUSE CAUGHT FIRE, WHAT FIVE THINGS WOULD YOU TAKE WITH YOU?
My Lucchese ropers (from high school), my guitar, my black and white photos of the kids, love letters from Elle and my phone
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE? It’s a tie between The Natural and Good Will Hunting
DATE NIGHT DESTINATION? House of Blues
BEST FATHER’S DAY GIFT YOU’VE RECEIVED?
Last year, Elle wrote all these questions, like “Daddy likes to … ?” and “Daddy gets mad when … ?” and “Daddy’s favorite food is … ?” and then the kids, in their own handwriting, wrote their own answers. Their answers were hilarious and surprising. It’s the best thing ever—I hope that they do that again.
