Ep. 65 - Staying True to Your Country Music Roots with Olivia Harms
Join host Katie Schrock as she chats with Canby, Oregon, country music star Olivia Harms about her life on a cow-calf operation, moving to the Cowboy Capitol of Oregon (that's Prineville for the non-Oregonians), commuting with Nashville, her album debuting later this year AND, as if that wasn't enough, all about her time spent internationally playing country music with her legendary 2020 Western Music Hall of Fame inductee mother, Joni Harms!
Get to Know Olivia
Born and raised in Canby, Oregon, in the Willamette Valley, Olivia grew up on the road with her mother, Joni Harms.
“She actually went in to her doctor and said, ‘Hey I have this gig, can we induce the baby?’ and so two-days later I was on stage,” says Olivia with a laugh who was just “always there” on the stage in the music world. They are truly a part of her roots and, when given the opportunity to not be a part of it, Olivia protested saying that music is not only in her blood, but a part of her identity.
Attending Oregon State University, she got a degree in Agriculture as a backup plan. Upon graduation, she decided that after putting music on the back burner so she could get her degree, she was going to chase her musical dreams and began commuting back and forth to Nashville, Tennessee. When not in Nashville, she’s at home in the Cowboy Capitol of Oregon in Prineville, Oregon, which is the perfect location for Olivia with her truly authentic, buckaroo, handy cowgirl style.
Ranching Cattle
Growing up on a small to mid-size cow-calf operation, she also showed cattle and horses. For her, authentic country music is where her roots are growing up and while she could do more mainstream country music, Olivia says that she will always be more comfortable in her cowboy boots and hat.
“I have found that my type of people are a little bit more common in … central Oregon,” says Olivia in reference to the western lifestyle that central and eastern Oregon is known for.
Country Music
Different Styles of Country Music
There’s a variety of branches of country music today with pop country, bro country, hick-hop, country R&B and more. As a songwriter, Olivia says it goes both ways in that it’s unique that country music is broadening out and people are truly able to not box themself into “pick up truck and beer songs” or whatever else there might be out there. They can go the Sam Hunt talking-country or Brett Eldridge Frank Sinatra style, or they can stay authentic with Waylon Jennings’ style.
“I am one of those very true, blue traditional country music people. I believe that my writing should have a story behind it or a message that carries it,” says Olivia, who also notes that she doesn't knock on other styles, it’s just the way that she writes. “I am torn, I think that traditional kind might come back with some time - it is starting too with Chris Stapleton, Midland, and Jon Pardi - so it’s having a bit of a revival!”
Having a Mentor Under Your Own Roof
Joni Harms is a 2020 Hall of Fame induced to the Western Music Hall of Fame located in New Mexico. A true authentic country sound, it’s no wonder where Olivia’s style has developed from and, when singing together, their harmonies are unparalleled. While Olivia may have felt pressure with such a prestigious mother, it was a great opportunity for her to write songs, share hooks, and work on chorus’ in her own house. In fact, one of her original songs about her hometown, Joni said, “I wish I would have thought of that hook!”
Country Music Internationally
Right now, the entire United Kingdom are big fans of old school Johnny Cash and traditional country music which has created a great opportunity for Olivia to travel both with her mom and solo to play country music in pubs and venues. Even if you only have a week to spend overseas, there’s still a lot you can find!
Side note, if anyone is interested in having a UK trip plan hit up Nicole HERE because she’s the ultimate agritourism, history and adventure travel planner out there! Not only can she fit in on a budget, but she can even plan your entire trip to be like the Amazing Race!
Writer’s Rounds
Writer’s rounds are a great way to get yourself introduced into the Nashville world and, three years ago on her mom’s birthday, Olivia got to participate in a songwriter’s round at the Blue Bird! A bucket list item for her, she also got to play with Wood Newton who wrote, “It’s not what I did, it’s what I didn’t do” for Steve Wariner, “Bobby Sue” for the Oakridge Boys and “Riding with Private Malone.”
Upcoming Music
Slipping in a bonus song on February 19th called “Road of Life,” Olivia felt that after the year we’ve had, “Why not?” It’s an “easy song, with a simple message that we are all on the road of life” and that we have to take whatever gets thrown at us and roll with it.
“Kitty Pool” also known as her “happy break up song” that was written with Wood Newton from one of her early trips to Nashville, is a song that she has played live before but will available on iTunes and everywhere you purchase music. Songwriting is such a big deal because it’s very personal because you have to share your life and your feelings.
“If someone takes off on you, you probably wouldn’t want them anyways!” Said Olivia in brainstorming adding, “If someone took off on me, I’d pull up a kitty pool and pop a bottle of wine!”
Kitty Pool will be released April 2nd and the entire album will be released sometime in May to commemorate going back to record which was Rhinestone Cowgirl.
Recording in COVID
With everything ready to go and all set for her to record in March, Olivia had just gotten back from a weekend gig in Chicago. At that point, COVID was hitting full first and everything was starting to shut down. Unsure of what to do, she wasn’t sure if she should postpone it or potentially get stuck in Nashville. Olivia decided to reschedule for April, assuming that “all of this will passover quick.”
Then she rescheduled for May and, luckily, they came out of enough to travel back to Nashville with her mom and she sang back up vocals for Olivia. Figuring that live music wouldn’t be a possibility, Olivia knew that people would need new music. Staying cautious and being safe, they were able to get the whole album recorded which turned out great and as a much needed light during a dark time that she wasn’t able to play live or see friends and family.
Challenge: Reach out to an up and coming artist that you enjoy watching at your local events and let them know that you miss them - they definitely miss you during these times! Please reach out, it would mean the world to them!
“The best thing I can recommend to any artist struggling is to keep pushing on social media the best you can … it can still feel your soul a little bit to ..” have engagement and create that fan interaction that drives you. “Be happy for the little things, don’t take those things for granted. When it comes back to playing live, we are going to be so much more appreciative to see our fans and interact with people… There is a light at the end of the tunnel!”
Keep Up With Olivia Harms
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