![]() ![]() “I gotta say, if it wasn’t for music I woulda blown up. He’s also trying hard to get Bradley off the booze, and hopes that this musical success may lead Harmer to go into rehab.īut much great art and great songs come from pain, and one of Bradley Harmer’s real gifts is the ability to put his own often turbulent life experiences into words and music. He compares Bradley’s musical style to that of singers and songwriters such as Jim Croce and Gordon Lightfoot. Walker, a fine singer and songwriter himself, marvels at the talents of his friend. “That’s a song about a soldier going back to see the daughter he’s never seen, and he’s dying,” Harmer says. Another remarkable one is a much darker song called “Bleed,” which folks can her on his Facebook page. That wonderful little waltz is one of many fine Bradley songs. But I got one I wrote for my daughter called `Daddy’s All Right.’ She was like tiny when I wrote that, I just had the guitar on my lap.” “I’ve forgotten more songs I’ve written than I remember. “Yeah, when I want to say something I put it in a song,” he says. I’m 53 years old, and I’ve always been kind of a living room musician.”ĭoes music help him through the hard times? “I’m kind of scared, and it’s only been a week. “You know what, I’m kind of in shock,” Bradley says. What does Bradley think of all the recent excitement about his songs, which he’s been writing for decades but attracted little industry attention until late December? ![]() “I write my stuff in songs, but I don’t know how to say it,” says Harmer, who has an infectious laugh and a marvelous, upbeat attitude. ![]() But through all of his trials and tribulations, the guitar and his songs were always there. The losses of both his parents were traumatic events for Harmer and may have contributed to his alcoholism. Dad knew Lefty Frizzell, Patsy Cline, Bobby Bare, and many other country icons. Then again, country stars from Hank Williams to Willie Nelson and dozens more have had their own demons with substance abuse.īradley’s father was a musician who hosted his own TV show. But as we speak (this was about 1 p.m.), we are behind the liquor store and Bradley just popped open his second beer.” “Bradley’s the nicest person you ever met, and his chords and his words are incredible. “His music, that’s what drew me into Bradley. When Garrett brought Bradley to the attention of Nashville Music Guide owner Randy Matthews, Randy also took interest in the story of Harmer, who has no home but lives near Nolensville Road and is still battling the bottle every day. Walker says that a label may be interested in signing Bradley, and a band in Florida with a record deal themselves may cut one or more of Harmer’s songs this year. After Garrett posted some of Harmer’s heartfelt songs on Facebook, industry folks began taking notice. I would stop at his house, he told me a lot of stories and he was a great storyteller.”Īfter a life full of ups and downs that has included long, private battles with homelessness and alcoholism, Bradley’s own writing – songwriting – is at last beginning to see the light of day.įor more than 15 years, another Row singer and songwriter, Garrett Walker, has been Harmer’s faithful friend and supporter. “John Steinbeck was just a natural guy, it wasn’t like he was anything pretentious. “I used to sit on his porch,” Harmer says in a phone conversation in early January. You almost surely read some of Steinbeck’s books in school or seen the legendary movies made of them, including The Grapes Of Wrath, East Of Eden, and Of Mice And Men. Harmer grew up near Salinas, California, where one of his neighbors was the legendary novelist John Steinbeck (1902-1968). Longtime Nashville resident Bradley Harmer may have had one of the most impressive writing mentors in American literary history. Rocky Kramer’s Rock & Roll Tuesdays Presents “Rock You Like A Hurricane” Tuesday August 22nd, 2023, 7 PM PT On Twitch Irene Michaels Releases “What The World Needs Now Is Love” THE AMERICAN RELICS “The Eyes of 1969” (Retro Mix) Music Video Goes Viral & Breaks 100,000 ViewsĬharlotte Morris Talks New Album, Chicks, and Fiddle vs. Rocco Lupo Releases New Music Video For Single “That Drip” (Priceless) Rocky Kramer’s Rock & Roll Tuesdays Presents “Animalistic!” Tuesday October 10th, 2023, 7 PM PT On Twitch Irene Michaels Hit Single “I Like Rain” Wins Song Of The Year At The Josie AwardsĪlex Miller Talks Country Music, Sinatra, and Keeping His Place In the Lineīaker Grace: An Inspiring Musical Anomaly ![]()
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