Joni Harms has a warm sincerity and ease to her voice… a voice that shines through on stories and melodies of a country/western way of life, making you feel you are part of the entire experience she sings about, as if she is singing only to you. In many ways, Joni is a pioneer and torch-bearer, knowing the country lifestyle is made up of a blend of musical sounds, giving her a unique style drawing crowds, literally, around the world.
Joni Harms has earned multiple honors from such notable organizations as the Western Music Association and the Academy of Western Artists. She has also performed on some of the most famous stages, including the Grand Ole Opry and New York City’s Carnegie Hall.
“Growing up, I learned to sing and write songs by listening to Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard and George Strait,” says Harms. “I remember seeing Emmylou Harris, and, after playing a while with the famous Hot Band, she returned to the stage with just her black Gibson guitar and proved if you can truly sing, write a song and play your guitar, then you can entertain your audience all by yourself.”
Although it is always special to perform with a great band, Joni held onto that challenging lesson and enjoys performing for radio stations and at various events with just her guitar, showing off that pure country voice she has been praised for since she signed her first record deal with the famed music producer Jimmy Bowen of Capitol Records in the early 1990s. Any singer will tell you not everyone can entertain that way, but Joni is a master.
Joni Harms’ musical journey continues around with globe with the release of her 13th studio album, Lucky 13, which is receiving amazing reviews. Country Music People Magazine says…”these are some of the very best country songs of recent years and prove that Joni Harms is one of country music’s most underrated writers.”
There is no mistaking the fact that Joni was a Merle Haggard fan as she even wrote a tribute to him on her latest album, Lucky 13, simply titled Merle. Joni Harms has built a career on two-stepping, toe-tapping shuffles and swing songs on her CDs. Joni loves to write about rodeo, cowboys and the ranch way of living, but says her favorite kind of songs to write are ballads or story songs. That’s why Merle is one of her favorites. “I absolutely love it when someone tells me that a song of mine has touched them or helped them through a tough situation. It makes me all the more certain that I am doing what I was put on this earth to do,” shares Harms.
Joni’s signature cowboy hat and boots are indeed more than a fashion statement. Harms lives on a century farm in Oregon that was homesteaded by her great, great grandfather Harms in 1872. Joni says, “This place has inspired many of my songs and I think they truly represent who I am and what is important to me.”
And there is no question who Joni Harms is. She is a tough, hard-working rancher who is also a mom with strong values with a gift for writing and performing music. She admits sometimes it is hard juggling all of these things, but they are important to her and she wouldn’t change a thing.
Joni Harms continues to tour and do what she loves, saying her journey so far has been absolutely wonderful. God willing she’s not going anywhere for a long time and has a lot more songs to write and sing!