Olivia Harms: Crafting an Authentic Cowgirl Sound
For Canby, Oregon, cowgirl Olivia Harms, there was never a doubt in her mind about what she wanted to be when she grew up. Born to renowned country music singer-songwriter and Western Music Hall of Fame member Joni Harms, her musical journey began at two days old when her mother brought her on stage at a show. Music has always played an integral role in her life, and she carries that passion into her own career today.
Olivia Harms with her mother, Joni Harms, and their dogs. Photo courtesy of Olivia Harms
“From the get-go, I knew I loved music, and that’s what I wanted to do. I also grew up on a ranch that’s been in my family since 1872,” Harms says. “I grew up with cow-calf production and cutting grass hay. Mix all that together, and I really never had a chance to be anything other than a cowgirl musician.”
Wanting to find herself outside of the Western world, Harms set off to Nashville, Tennessee, when she was a teenager to pursue contemporary country music. After graduating from college, she landed a publishing deal writing songs, but something never felt quite right.
“I found at the end of the day after I’d written all these songs with the songwriters that were suggested for me to write with, I never went home and felt super proud of the music that I was making,” Harms recalls. “After a little while of figuring it out and analyzing what I really wanted and what kind of music I liked, I realized that I was right back to where I had always been and wondered why I ever strayed away from country Western music.
“Right back to Western music I went and started writing about honky-tonks and rodeos and cowboys,” Harms continues. “That’s how I drifted back into the sound that I have. So, if you mix that all together, and then a little sprinkle of the contemporary pop country that I learned in Nashville, all that blended together has turned into my sound.”
Authenticity is at the forefront of Harms’ career, and she aims to create music that people in the Western lifestyle can relate to and enjoy.
Photo courtesy of Olivia Harms
Photo courtesy of Olivia Harms
“People can tell what is authentic. What’s authentic for me is my background of ranching and Western culture and having that cowgirl spirit,” Harms says. “I thought there’s no use trying to be fake and write songs that might become super popular because people can smell a fake thing or something not authentic from a mile away.”
Harms draws inspiration from her Western background to create each song and wants to be a voice that people can relate to in any stage of life.
“It’s different every time,” Harms explains. “A lot of times, I start with a hook or an idea or feeling, then I just start writing and structuring a song around that. Usually, the music comes after the idea and some of the words. But on the off occasion, I have had a melody in my head, and the rest comes after. I love that I can give people stories and hopefully they can relate to them, or I can carry them through a hard time or even get them excited for a Friday night going out.”
Being able to immerse herself in different rodeos and Western events is Harms’ favorite aspect of her career. From performing at the Pendleton Roundup to the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame and everywhere in between, she takes pride in being able to share her love of the industry with others.
“Any chance that I can be around other cowgirls is one of my favorite things in the world,” Harms praises. “Just to be around other women that have a like-minded spirit, and we can all celebrate the Western industry. Any chance I get to let the public know that cowgirls are just as strong, creative and tough as all the cowboys out there, I will be there as much as I can.”
Harms’ latest single, “This Ain’t My First Rodeo,” has found success on the Texas music charts — charting in the Texas Top Five for more than six weeks. In the coming months, she has numerous live shows scheduled across California and Oregon, as well as the documentary premiere of “Nice Job, Cowgirl: The Judy Wagner Story” and much more. We are also eagerly awaiting four new songs in 2025.
Check out oliviaharms.com to see if she’s performing soon in a town near you! Follow Harms on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok or Threads to listen to her music and keep up with her daily adventures on the road.
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