Biography

Jerry Harmon was born into a family rich in the tradition of music. His home, deep in the foothills of the Blue Ridge / Appalachian mountains, reverberated daily to the sound of music in many different forms.

Harmon’s musical career was launched at an early age, strumming a banjo fashioned from wood and groundhog hide by his uncle Gene. Radio programmes featuring Hank Williams Sr, Flatt & Scruggs and Ray Price also proved a lasting influence.

At the age of 12, with his Sears & Roebuck Truetone guitar in hand and an earnest determination, Harmon tackled the first of years of self givent music lessons from a book by the famed North Carolina guitarist  Arthur Smith. After years of local and regional performing Harmon gained recognition as an outstanding guitarist, singer and songwriter. He begin to appear at such events as North Carolina’s renowned Merle-Fest, The Bath International Music Festival, The Edinburgh International Festival,and The Winnipeg Folk Festival.

He has shared the bill with some of America’s most celebrated musicians: Ricky Skaggs, Tony Rice, Marty Stuart, Earl Scruggs, Dolly Parton and others.

Jerry has quickly gained recognition  as an amazing performer in the UK and mainland Europe performing at major events there  after years of success as a performer in America.

“Jerry is a consummate and versatile entertainer, as a singer and guitarist, and as a storyteller. While he is a great ambassador for the traditions of his native North Carolina, Jerry is undoubtedly an artist of international stature.”

Bob Pegg,Community Arts Worker, The Highland Council