Harlan Howard is widely regarded as one of the most prolific and influential songwriters in the history of country music, famously defining the genre as consisting of " three chords and the truth ".
: His work continues to be covered by modern artists, including Patty Loveless and Willie Nelson, ensuring his "three chords and the truth" philosophy remains a staple of the American musical soul. Harlan Howard Son9sH4rlanH0w4rd rar
: Harlan was married to country singer Jan Howard for 11 years, during which time he nurtured her singing and songwriting career. Harlan Howard is widely regarded as one of
: His most famous compositions include the timeless classic " I Fall to Pieces " (co-written with Hank Cochran and immortalized by Patsy Cline) and " Heartaches by the Number " (a hit for both Guy Mitchell and Ray Price). : His most famous compositions include the timeless
Harlan Howard penned over throughout his career. Born in Detroit and raised on Michigan farms during the Depression, his songwriting often captured the gritty, tragic, and "shaky" side of human relationships, which he believed represented the true drama of country music.
: He was close friends with comedian Don Bowman, who even recorded a track titled " Dear Harlan Howard ".
