| J. Michael Harter Bio | |
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“From the very first time I picked up a guitar, I found it was the one thing that brought me the most enjoyment; it brought me to a place where I found the most happiness.”
Caught smack dab in the middle of a line of siblings (two older sisters, a younger brother and a younger sister—who are all musically inclined to play either guitar, piano or violin), J. Michael closed the door to his room to spend hours listening to Garth Brooks and George Strait records. He learned to play every note by ear until he got it right. A self-taught guitar player, he honed in on his musical craft as a picker and songwriter. As a sophomore, J. Michael wrote his first song for his high school sweetheart entitled “As Close As They Come.” Today, J. Michael has developed a catalog of over 100 tunes, is an ASCAP writer and has recently established his own publishing company Anozira Publishing. (“Arizona” spelled backwards!)
J. Michael has been recording his own music since the age of 17. He played just about every bar and honky tonk in Phoenix and the surrounding area and made the move to Nashville in 1999. And then, by the grace of God, he met producer and friend Blake Mevis (George Strait, Keith Whitley, Vern Gosdin, Charley Pride).
“Meeting Blake Mevis and having the opportunity to work with him is the greatest gift—not only as to my career, but in my life. He's a great producer and a great friend.”
J. Michael's musical influences do not remain within one realm. Growing up, he listened to The Beatles, James Taylor, Garth Brooks, George Strait and Ronnie Milsap. Today, his favorites include Incubus, Dave Matthew's Band, Sublime and even Snoop Dog (occasionally).
“I've always been a voracious music lover. I like a plethora of music. Stylistically, my influences are pretty contemporary.”
In a genre filled with acts making hit-driven music, this Arizona-born artist instinctively adds an extra dimension to his music. His musical talents as an artist are diverse. As a songwriter, he tackles the limitless extent of love and life. He is armed with boundless enthusiasm and the talent to match. His live performance is filled with emotion and high adrenaline. This engaging young entertainer optimizes the cutting-edge of country music and demonstrates his own version of this brand of music that called his name.
“My feeling about 'country' music is that it is a reflection of the here and the now. Simply said, I think country music conveys a message that speaks to every body about every day people, every day life, and every aspect of it.”
J. Michael is visibly and comfortably a “spiritual” person and he shares his faith in his music. He makes no exception to offer that his family has been and is the most important element of his life and that prayer and perseverance are the most important things to remember to accomplish his goals.
“I started this endeavor because it was fun. Most people do not get this kind of chance. I am blessed and just want to take it one day at a time.”
J. Michael has extraordinary confidence that is evident as he delivers some emotionally complex messages. His debut album under the Broken Bow Records logo displays a natural clarity of emotion and precision of craft from up-tempo affirmations of love and faith to reckless youth, and the renewing power and strength portrayed in gut wrenching ballads. “Unexpected Change” is scheduled for release in late summer.
“…it's okay with me that I'm not the stereotypical country artist…as long as my message touches that 'special place' in the heart.”
Album cover used with permission of Broken Bow Records.