Single Review J. Michael Harter "Holy Cowgirl"

J. Michael Harter Credit: Chuck Arlund

J. Michael Harter, former member of the brother-sister trio, The Harters, is in the midst of launching his career as a solo artist with his debut single, “Holy Cowgirl.” The single is Harter’s first release from his forthcoming EP, Ride On, which will be released on Sept 30, 2014.

J. Michael Harter, Scott Harter, Earl Bud Lee, Scott Laurent, and Bruce Wallace co-wrote the up-tempo song during a songwriting retreat in Alaska. J. Michael commented about the day the song came to life, “I had the title in my phone for years and often brought the idea up when I’d do co-writes, but I had a hard time getting people to understand where I was going with it. While brainstorming for ideas with my co-writers at our retreat in Alaska, I thought, what the heck maybe they would get it. At first when I said the title, they were all silent, pondering what I’d just said. Scott Laurent laughed and said, ‘You mean like a really religious Cowgirl?’ I said no man, but that’s funny! I mean like you see a woman all dolled up in tight jeans and boots and you think, Holy Cow Girl!!! At that moment, Bruce Wallace started playing that very infectious guitar hook and the song came to life.”

Lyrically "Holy Cowgirl" contains much of what we continue to hear on the radio. Sonically, the song is heavy on electric guitar with an up tempo driving beat that should make dancers everywhere happy. 

“The boys been checkin’ you out all night
Looks like they’re in for a hell of a fight
Holy cowgirl
Where you been all my life
Holy cowgirl
You’re doing everything right
Rockin’ them jeans yeah ain’t nothing like I’ve ever seen
Struttin’ round like a cowboy’s dream
Holy cowgirl”

Mr. Harter has said that with his new music “I am striving to be part of the pendulum swinging the other way to lyrically driven songs that would make you cry, laugh, or make you remember something that touches your heart.” I myself look forward to hearing those lyrically driven songs on the EP which he says contains “some of the most special and refreshing music” that he has ever written.

Listen to the single here

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