Signed to the independent Broken Bow Records in 2002, Harter released his debut album Unexpected Change that year.
[2] Harter was inspired at an early age by George Strait and Garth Brooks, and would spend hours alone in his room, teaching himself to play guitar along with their songs.
By 1999, he had moved to Nashville, Tennessee in pursuit of a musical career, eventually meeting record producer Blake Mevis.
[3] Unexpected Change received a favorable review from About.com critic Jolene Downs, who said that although Harter did not look like a country singer, the songs showcased his singing and songwriting talents well.
[4] A year later, he joined his sister Leslie and brother Scott to form a country music trio called SEVEN.