J Michael Harter

J. Michael Harter is back on the road and ready to spread his new rootsy country music across the nation. Harter’s remarkable talent and passion for country music shone through at an early age as he started playing the honky tonk bars around Phoenix, Arizona in 1996. This same passion is what convinced him to move from his home in Arizona to Nashville at the age of 18 to pursue his country music dream. He signed his first solo record deal in 2000 with Broken Bow Records and gave the label their first charting single, “Hard Call To Make”, with producer Blake Mevis, (who produced legends Keith Whitley and George Strait). In 2003, he signed another solo deal with Lofting Creek Records and then with Bigger Picture Group in 2009 as one third of the group The Harters, releasing their self titled album with famed producer Keith Stegall (Alan Jackson).

Through the years, J. Michael has had the privilege of touring with such inspirations as Alan Jackson, Clint Black, Josh Turner, Craig Morgan, Little Big Town, Kix Brooks, and has written with hit-makers Anthony Smith, Frank Myers, Kyle Jacobs, and many more. The most influential inspirations, however, were those he was exposed to growing up. His Mother, Father, and Grandparents played the biggest part in his love of music and writing. “They were playing everything from the Beatles to Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash… and those true classics would make anyone want to pick up a guitar and sing along,” he says. Chris LeDoux, Garth Brooks and George Strait also played a part in his fresh country western sound. Growing up, Harter and his siblings spent most of their free time singing and playing music together at family bible studies and around the campfire at their cabin near Flagstaff, Arizona.

His latest project exposes his unique story telling ability and his inner cowboy. It highlights his unmistakable vocals along with his talent as a writer and producer. The 7 song EP, produced by himself and Matt Rovey, is set to launch summer 2012.