JOHN HARVEY
Spanish Music.com
AMAZING JOHN HARVEY
He was able to organize a group with most members older than himself and were playing engagements around Encinal, Cotulla and other towns in the area. At the age of twelve, John was already composing and his first to be recorded was a polka, "La Chachalaca." This was recorded first in Laredo and then in San Antonio but neither company released it and John gave up the idea for a while. At the age of eighteen, he joined a group in San Antonio and went to McAllen, where they recorded for one of the companies there. He also recorded with several other groups but always playing the accordion and never singing nor
were any of his songs ever recorded by these groups.
Then one day while living in Hammond, Indiana, he decided to sing his own compositions. The problem of finding reliable musicians was still a severe one so he decided to play all of the instruments himself. At first John felt that the idea was a bit silly since he had never heard of anyone doing it before. The first songs that he recorded, and he also wrote, were Las Palabras de Mi Hijo and Mis Amigos en Vietnam. A few people heard it and liked it but John wasn't satisfied and didn't record again until he was living in Houston. There he recorded Mi Deseo, playing all the instruments and singing duet on his own label, La Chachalaca. Promoted by several radio stations, Mi Deseo made the popular list and later was recorded by two other groups, moving it up the Hit List. Then came Amor Sincero and many others that gave him the confidence to keep on recording and releasing records.
In 1969, he recorded his first LP, then another in 1971, which included his first Country and Western songs which he wrote. By this time, John had made the Hit List on many radio stations.
I personally find John Harvey a gentleman in every respect with a quality seldom found in other artists. Humble enough to admit that he owes so much to people who were instrumental in bringing about his recognition. One of the reasons I admire and respect him is his sincerity and wonderful attitude often found in statements such as when he told me, "My only interest is to succeed in a manner that will benefit the most people, whether it be in physical benefits or only in providing a little enjoyment and entertainment."
At the present time, John has a group with which he has already made a recording and his plans are to record an LP in the near future. John and his group have appeared on television in Corpus Christi with Domingo Pena and in Austin with Marcelo Tafoya.
"The Amazing" John Harvey a wonderful human being and an Amazingly talented person.
(article appeared in a San Antonio Music Magazine in early 1970. Author unknown.)
Back to NEWS
were any of his songs ever recorded by these groups.
Then one day while living in Hammond, Indiana, he decided to sing his own compositions. The problem of finding reliable musicians was still a severe one so he decided to play all of the instruments himself. At first John felt that the idea was a bit silly since he had never heard of anyone doing it before. The first songs that he recorded, and he also wrote, were Las Palabras de Mi Hijo and Mis Amigos en Vietnam. A few people heard it and liked it but John wasn't satisfied and didn't record again until he was living in Houston. There he recorded Mi Deseo, playing all the instruments and singing duet on his own label, La Chachalaca. Promoted by several radio stations, Mi Deseo made the popular list and later was recorded by two other groups, moving it up the Hit List. Then came Amor Sincero and many others that gave him the confidence to keep on recording and releasing records.
In 1969, he recorded his first LP, then another in 1971, which included his first Country and Western songs which he wrote. By this time, John had made the Hit List on many radio stations.
I personally find John Harvey a gentleman in every respect with a quality seldom found in other artists. Humble enough to admit that he owes so much to people who were instrumental in bringing about his recognition. One of the reasons I admire and respect him is his sincerity and wonderful attitude often found in statements such as when he told me, "My only interest is to succeed in a manner that will benefit the most people, whether it be in physical benefits or only in providing a little enjoyment and entertainment."
At the present time, John has a group with which he has already made a recording and his plans are to record an LP in the near future. John and his group have appeared on television in Corpus Christi with Domingo Pena and in Austin with Marcelo Tafoya.
"The Amazing" John Harvey a wonderful human being and an Amazingly talented person.
(article appeared in a San Antonio Music Magazine in early 1970. Author unknown.)
Back to NEWS
A long play album recorded with both Spanish and English songs included. Mexican Rancheras, Country and Western. The finest musical arrangements with all the instruments needed for each number. All the vocals, solo, duet, trio. "The Amazing" John Harvey did it all by himself! He played all the instruments and did all the vocals, but that's not all. He wrote all the songs in the album.
How did he do it? Well, the recording part is technical but not hard to understand when we explain that an 8 track recording studio was used. John first recorded the song on one track playing the guitar. Then repeated the song accompanying the first recording with a different instrument on another track. This procedure was repeated until the musical accompanyment was finished. The same technique was used for the vocals.
The amazing part is the fact that he handles each one as if he has devoted his entire career to that particular instrument. As for the vocals, whether solo, duet, or trio, they are done in a manner in which one cannot help but admire. His songs, both in Spanish as well as Country Western, are already being sought by other artists for recording.
"The Amazing" John Harvey was born in Three Rivers, Texas on November 9, 1945. He began his musical career at the age of six when his Grandfather bought him a guitar and taught him the fundamental chords. It wasn't long before young John was entertaining at family parties and school programs. Later, his Grandfather bought him a two row accordion and once again taught him the basic cords and a few simple tunes. Then came the three row accordion and by the time John was eight years old, he had appeared on an Amateur Television Program in Laredo and won the contest.
How did he do it? Well, the recording part is technical but not hard to understand when we explain that an 8 track recording studio was used. John first recorded the song on one track playing the guitar. Then repeated the song accompanying the first recording with a different instrument on another track. This procedure was repeated until the musical accompanyment was finished. The same technique was used for the vocals.
The amazing part is the fact that he handles each one as if he has devoted his entire career to that particular instrument. As for the vocals, whether solo, duet, or trio, they are done in a manner in which one cannot help but admire. His songs, both in Spanish as well as Country Western, are already being sought by other artists for recording.
"The Amazing" John Harvey was born in Three Rivers, Texas on November 9, 1945. He began his musical career at the age of six when his Grandfather bought him a guitar and taught him the fundamental chords. It wasn't long before young John was entertaining at family parties and school programs. Later, his Grandfather bought him a two row accordion and once again taught him the basic cords and a few simple tunes. Then came the three row accordion and by the time John was eight years old, he had appeared on an Amateur Television Program in Laredo and won the contest.
