Way Back When

“Way Back When” is the title song of Harlan’s latest album set for release on December 11th, 2020. It is the tenth album in his career as a country music artist and writer, all wedged in between a passion to create a Canadian owned record label and music publishing company, and produce records for other Canadian artists. His own career started out in 1961 when he was a guest artist on Gordie Brandt’s CFQT television show in Saskatoon. Later that same year, he performed on his first live country radio show on CKRM Regina with a country band.

Fast forward to 2020, and you see a career that has spanned 60 years and has taken him around the world as a country performer and show producer. From his first #1 Canadian record as Bob Smith, “Ode To Suburbia” in 1970 to his Canadian Country Music Album of the Year in 1977 as R. Harlan Smith, to the #1 duet single with Chris Nielsen “Stolen Moments”, the list goes on and on. With awards too numerous to mention, Harlan has lived up to the words Larry Delaney wrote in Country Music News when he suggested in one of his many editions that Harlan was the original four letter man of Canadian country music – singer, songwriter, producer, and entrepreneur.

From way back when to November 2020 not much has really changed. Harlan’s just completed album, “Way Back When” features some songs old and new.