A life-long music industry outsider and fiercely independent, Harwill's public opposition to the system of grants and government subsidies controlling the music business in Canada proved a severe detriment to his career aspirations. Despite wide antagonism generated by his opposition to a system entrenched in his home country, he survived to tour independently for decades as both solo artist and bandleader. He would eventually produce and release 7 albums of critically acclaimed original music either independently or on a series of micro-labels. Often billed as ‘The 12-String Troubadour’, the songwriter toured North America performing an eclectic and personal blend of roots/country music in a signature vocal style. His music was identified as "Americana" and told non-conformist tales ofthe people and places he encountered while living out scores of adventures on the lost highway. A working musician through most of his career, Harwill shared the stage and studio with many great talents including 'Godfather' of Americana musicJames Talley, seminal outlaw country singer/songwriter Steve Young, and rising Canadiana country star Tim Hus. He was joined by legendary Alberta country musiciansAlfie Myhre and Richard Chernesky on 2012 studio release 'A Tribute to Catfish John'. His 2014 album release 'Dance Floor' meanwhile earned significant radio success in North America by placing two singles in the US Top 10 including the #1 Americana hit 'I Love My Dog' and the #7 Americana single 'Like Me & You'. A collection of 11 new songs written by Harwill, the 'Dance Floor' recording was his last to date and spent 5 weeks in the Americana Album charts in 2015, reaching #6 in the US and #3 in Canada.
Personal life
A one-time professional boxer, he earned raves for efforts in a variety of fields throughout a storied life spent largely outside the boundaries of polite society. Legendarily reclusive, the rakish outlaw was known to be divorced and lived quietly in small town Alberta when not on tour.
Discography
Albums
* As lead vocalist of the folk/roots music trio Harwill
