The Harters were an American country music trio based in Arizona. It was composed of lead singer Leslie Harter and her brothers, Michael and Scott. The trio released its debut single, "Jenny," in early 2010 and charted with it on Billboard Hot Country Songs.

The Harters
Also known asSEVEN
OriginArizona, U.S.
GenresCountry
Years active2005, 2009 – 2011
LabelsBigger Picture Music Group
Past membersLeslie Harter
Michael Harter
Scott Harter

Biography

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Brothers Michael and Scott Harter, and their sister Leslie, were involved in various other musical endeavors before forming the band together. Michael had moved to Nashville to become a country songwriter/performer, recording one album for Broken Bow Records in 2002 under the name J. Michael Harter.[1] Scott went to school in San Diego where he played in alternative rock bands.[2] Leslie remained in Arizona where she decided at age 18 that she was going to pursue a career in music. In 2005, the Harters recorded one single, "Drunk Chick," under the name SEVEN, with David Malloy as producer.[1]

After deciding that they would begin performing together, they began recording videos of themselves on YouTube.[3] They were discovered by producer Keith Stegall, best known for his work as Alan Jackson's producer.[4] The Harters also caught the attention of Adam Gregory, with whom they collaborated[5] when the two acts shared the stage for a children's charity show.[6] The band was subsequently asked to open a series of shows for Josh Turner.[7] The Harters were also featured in People.com's July 2009 Photo Special.[8]

The Harters made two songs available for free download on its website, including the debut single "Jenny."[9] Scott and Michael began writing the song five years before its release, and completed it with assistance from Malloy and Brad Irby.[2] This song debuted at number 54 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts dated for the week ending March 20, 2010[10] and peaked at number 53.[11] The album's second single "If I Run" released to country radio in 2011. That same year, the trio toured with Alan Jackson.[12]

Critical reception

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Karlie Justus of Engine 145 gave "If I Run" a "thumbs up", comparing Leslie's voice to that of Trisha Yearwood and praising the lyrics.[13] Giving favorable singles to both singles, Bobby Peacock of Roughstock praised the "clever turns of phrase" and melody of "Jenny",[14] and the "uncluttered" production of "If I Run". He compared the latter song to The Band Perry.[15]

Discography

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Extended plays

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Title Album details
Family. Love. Harmony.

Singles

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Year Single Peak positions Album
US Country
[16]
2005 "Drunk Chicks" (as SEVEN)
2010 "Jenny" 53 Family. Love. Harmony.
2011 "If I Run" 51
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Music videos

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Year Video Director
2009 "Jenny" Jon Grimson
2011 "If I Run" Wes Edwards

References

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  1. ^ a b "MCN Country Music - SEVEN". Music City News. Archived from the original on 20 December 2006. Retrieved 16 March 2010.
  2. ^ a b "Who's New". Country Weekly. 17 (13): 17. 29 March 2010. ISSN 1074-3235.
  3. ^ "Top Videos". CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  4. ^ "Sony ATV Signs Stegall". MusicRow. 23 March 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
  5. ^ "Adam Gregory Rehearses on the Bus with The Harters". CastTV. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
  6. ^ "Monster Trucks and Country Music Team Up". CountryHound. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
  7. ^ "The HOT List". The Tennessean. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
  8. ^ "Download This (Free!): Hot Country Songs!". Time Inc. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
  9. ^ "On Music Row: Bigger Picture brings Topspin to town". NashvillePost.com. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
  10. ^ Morris, Edward (13 March 2010). "Billy Currington Trumps Josh Turner, Lady Antebellum Raves On". CMT. Archived from the original on March 17, 2010. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
  11. ^ "Chart history for The Harters". Billboard. Retrieved 8 September 2010.
  12. ^ "The Harters to Join Alan Jackson on Canadian Tour Dates". Theboot.com. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  13. ^ "The Harters - "If I Run" - Engine 145". Archived from the original on 18 December 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  14. ^ "The Harters - "Jenny" | Roughstock.com". Archived from the original on 23 March 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  15. ^ "The Harters - "If I Run" | New Country Music, Listen to Songs & Video | Roughstock.com". Archived from the original on 29 October 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  16. ^ "The Harters chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
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