Date of Birth: September 8, 1927
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Date of Death: March 3, 2002
Biography
Harlan Howard was a prolific American country music songwriter, often referred to as the “Dean of Nashville Songwriters.” Born on September 8, 1927, in Detroit, Michigan, Howard grew up listening to the Grand Ole Opry and was deeply influenced by country legends like Hank Williams. He moved to Los Angeles in the early 1950s, where he began his songwriting career and met many influential figures in the music industry. Howard’s breakthrough came in 1958 when his song “Pick Me Up on Your Way Down” became a major hit for Charlie Walker. This success led him to move to Nashville, where he became a central figure in the country music scene. Over the course of his career, Howard penned numerous hit songs for artists such as Patsy Cline, Ray Charles, and Johnny Cash. His songwriting style, characterized by simple, heartfelt lyrics and catchy melodies, earned him numerous awards and accolades, including induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1997. Harlan Howard passed away on March 3, 2002, but his legacy lives on through the timeless music he created.
5 Interesting Facts about Harlan Howard
1. Harlan Howard wrote over 4,000 songs during his career.
2. He coined the famous phrase describing country music as “three chords and the truth.”
3. Howard won the Grammy Award for Best Country Song in 1961 for “I Fall to Pieces,” performed by Patsy Cline.
4. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1973.
5. Howard was married three times, and his second wife was country singer Jan Howard.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Harlan Howard
1. “Country music is three chords and the truth.”
2. “I always thought songs are movies for the mind and the heart.”
3. “A good country song takes a page out of somebody’s life and puts it to music.”
4. “If a song can’t be written in 20 minutes, it ain’t worth writing.”
5. “I’m just a writer who loves to write.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Harlan Howard’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million.
Children
Harlan Howard had three children, one of whom is Harlan Howard Jr., who has also pursued a career in the music industry.
Relevant Links
4. [Harlan Howard – IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0397343/
5. [Harlan Howard – Discogs](https://www.discogs.com/artist/251659-Harlan-Howard
