Olivia Harms was born into western music royalty, but this rhinestone cowgirl has long since stepped out on her own, shaping a sound that is equal parts Texas, Bakersfield, and Nashville – her very own country western honky-tonk style.
Olivia, the daughter of Western Music Hall of Fame member Joni Harms, grew up on the 150-year-old Harms family ranch in Canby, Oregon. She stood on stage for the very first time when she was two days old. Joni had her labor induced so she wouldn't miss her show at Portland Speedway with Clint Black, Lorrie Morgan and Ricky Skaggs. Now Olivia is following in her mother's creative footsteps and pursuing the same dream.
Olivia's first album came out in 2011 when she was 16. Her debut album, Olivia, features some of her early songwriting and was a real springboard for the music to come. Her second album, Rhinestone Cowgirl , came out in 2021 and showcases the signature style people now know her for. Produced by D. Scott Miller and recorded in Nashville, the 11-song collection is full of cowboy references, George Strait name-dropping, Buckaroo swing, and plenty of fiddle and steel guitar. "I wanted a very traditional country sound, with a Bakersfield twang and a little country-western swing to bring back the honky tonks," Olivia explained.
Olivia knew early on that she wanted to pursue music. When she was six years old, Santa Claus brought her her first guitar and ignited her songwriting passion. She grew up performing on stages all over the world with her mother. Olivia remembers yodeling in Europe and singing "I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart" in New Zealand.
After high school, Olivia attended Oregon State University, where she pursued both her music and her other passion: agriculture. She earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics and cattle production before diving headfirst into the music industry. Olivia still handles most of her booking, PR, and social media herself—in addition to writing, recording, and performing over 200 shows a year. “I try to be a true one-woman show,” she says.
When writing her second album, Olivia collaborated with renowned country songwriters like Wood Newton (The Oak Ridge Boys' "Bobbie Sue," Kenny Rogers' "20 Years Ago") and Dennis Morgan (Barbara Mandrell's "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool," Ronnie Milsap's "Smoky Mountain Rain"). From the autobiographical "Gypsy" to the light-footed "Hey There Cowboy" to the deeply personal "Love Me to Pieces," Rhinestone Cowgirl is all Olivia Harms.
Olivia has kept up the momentum in pursuit of her dreams. She has released several singles to Texas Red Dirt Radio. "Hey There Cowboy" entered the chart after just three weeks and reached the top 10 in Texas. Her latest single, "This Ain't My First Rodeo," stayed in the top 5 for over five weeks!
Olivia has found her niche – music for people who love the western lifestyle and honky-tonk. She has been recognized for her hard work and ability to stay true to herself and her authentic music. In March 2022, she was honored in COWGIRL Magazine’s third “30 Under 30” class, an awards ceremony at The Drover Hotel in the Fort Worth Stockyards that highlights 30 young women in the western industry who are making a difference. In June 2022, she was honored again when she was named “Singer of the Year” at the inaugural Women of the West Gala at the Cowgirl Hall of Fame Museum in Fort Worth, Texas. In 2025, Olivia was handpicked by Taylor Sheridan and Blake Shelton to star in the new television series The Road . The series follows twelve musicians on tour, opening for Keith Urban each week and competing to win over audiences – and stay on the road for the chance to become the next big country star. The series premiered on October 19 on CBS and Paramount Plus.
Olivia now lives in Northern California with her new husband on their large ranch. She still travels frequently to Texas and Nashville, and spends most of her time touring the Western states and beyond with her band, The Roadrunners. No matter where she hangs her hat, she stays in close touch with her roots.
You get Olivia together with mother Joni - and the band Woodland!
