J. Michael Harter

Infobox Musical artist
Name = J. Michael Harter


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Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = James Michael Harter [Full name according to ASCAP database.]
Born = Birth date and age|1979|01|07
Origin = Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Instrument = Vocals
Guitar
Genre = Country
Occupation = Singer-songwriter
Years_active = 2002-present
Label = Broken Bow
Associated_acts = Blake Mevis
SEVEN
URL =

J. Michael Harter (born James Michael Harter, January 7, 1979 in Phoenix, Arizona) is an American country music artist. Signed to the independent Broken Bow Records in 2002, Harter released his debut album "Unexpected Change" that year. It produced one single on the "Billboard" Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) charts in "Hard Call to Make", which peaked at #45.

Biography

J. Michael Harter was born James Michael Harter. The middle child of five, he has two older sisters, a younger sister, and a younger brother.cite web |url=http://countrymusic.about.com/library/bljmichaelharterbio.htm |title=J. Michael Harter bio |accessdate=2008-09-06 |last=Fabian |first=Shelly |work=About.com] Harter was inspired at an early age by George Strait and Garth Brooks, and would spend hours alone in his room, teaching himself to play guitar along with their songs. While in high school, he wrote his first song, for his girlfriend.

Starting at age seventeen, Harter began performing locally in his native Phoenix, Arizona. By 1999, he had moved to Nashville, Tennessee in pursuit of a musical career, eventually meeting record producer Blake Mevis. Harter then signed to Broken Bow Records, then a newly-established independent record label, in 2002. His debut single, "Hard Call to Make", spent sixteen weeks on the "Billboard" Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) charts, peaking at #45. It was the first and only chart single from his debut album "Unexpected Change" (2002). The song was a ballad in which the narrator describes the choices he had to make in life.cite web |url=http://countrymusic.about.com/library/bljmichaelharterrev.htm |title=CD review: "Unexpected Change" - J. Michael Harter |accessdate=2008-09-06 |last=Downs |first=Jolene |work=About.com] "Unexpected Change" received a favorable review from About.com critic Jolene Downs, who said that although Harter did not look like a country singer, the songs showcased his singing and songwriting talents well.

Harter later exited Broken Bow's roster after the release of his album, and by 2004 he had formed another label called Big Al, in association with the Lofton Creek Records label. [cite web |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail-retail-stores-not/4364893-1.html |title=J. Michael Harter Bows Big Al |accessdate=2008-09-06 |last=Stark |first=Phyllis |date=2004-03-11 |work=Billboard] A year later, he joined his sister Lezlie James and brother Scott to form a country music trio called SEVEN.cite web |url=http://www.musiccitynews.com/clients4.php |title=MCN Country Music - SEVEN |accessdate=2008-09-06 |work=Music City News] They released a single entitled "Drunk Chicks" that year.

Discography

"Unexpected Change" (2002)

Infobox Album
Name = Unexpected Change
Type = studio
Artist = J. Michael Harter


Released = Start date|2002|08|27
Recorded =
Genre = Country
Length =
Label = Broken Bow
Producer = Blake Mevis
Reviews =
#"If You Never Loved Me" (Marv Green, Bill Luther) – 3:16
#"Hard Call to Make" (Steve Seskin, Mark Alan Springer) – 3:33
#"Sugar and Gasoline" (Josh Kear, Aimee Mayo, Chris Lindsey) – 3:30
#"On My Way Home" (Joe Doyle, Chris Tompkins) – 4:00
#"Everything in Arizona" (J. Michael Harter) – 3:30
#"Who You're Lovin' Now" (Trey Bruce, Tim Johnson) – 4:02
#"You're in the Right Place" (Shane Teeters, Kerry Kurt Phillips) – 4:07
#"Losing You" (Monty Criswell, Tom Schoepf) – 3:06
#"Somewhere in California" (Harter, Tompkins, Kent Blazy) – 3:38
#"The First Time" (Harter) – 3:49

ingles

References