Date of Birth: September 8, 1927
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Date of Death: March 3, 2002
Biography
Harlan Howard was an American songwriter, often referred to as “The Dean of Nashville Songwriters.” Born in Detroit, Michigan, Howard moved to Nashville in the late 1950s where he quickly became one of the most prolific and respected songwriters in country music history. With a career spanning over five decades, he penned numerous hits for artists like Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, and Buck Owens. Known for his simple yet emotionally resonant lyrics, Howard’s work was instrumental in shaping the Nashville sound. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1997. Howard continued to write and influence the music industry until his death in 2002.
5 Interesting Facts about Harlan Howard
1. Harlan Howard wrote over 4,000 songs in his lifetime, with many becoming country music standards.
2. He coined the famous phrase about country music: “Three chords and the truth.”
3. Howard’s first major hit was “Pick Me Up on Your Way Down,” recorded by Charlie Walker in 1958.
4. He was a key figure in the “Nashville Sound” movement of the 1960s, which aimed to bring country music to a broader audience.
5. Howard was posthumously awarded the BMI Icon Award in 2005, recognizing his enduring influence on the music industry.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Harlan Howard
1. “Country music is three chords and the truth.”
2. “A song is a piece of life. I try to capture a piece of life in a song.”
3. “I’ve always believed in simplicity. The simpler the better. That’s what country music is all about.”
4. “Writing a good song is like catching lightning in a bottle. When it happens, you just hang on for the ride.”
5. “Music has the power to heal, to bring people together, and to tell stories that might otherwise never be told.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Harlan Howard’s highest net worth was estimated to be around $10 million.
Children
Harlan Howard had three children: Harland Howard Jr., Robin Howard, and Justin Howard.
Relevant Links
1. [Harlan Howard on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlan_Howard
2. [Country Music Hall of Fame Induction](https://countrymusichalloffame.org/artist/harlan-howard/
3. [BMI Icon Award](https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/20050913_harlan_howard_to_receive_bmi_icon_award
5. [Biography on AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/harlan-howard-mn0000665890/biography
