He made his debut in 1998 with the album Write It in Stone, issued on the MCA Nashville label.
[2] At age ten, Harling constructed a drum kit, which he taught himself how to play; he also developed his musical style through impersonation of songs that he saw on television.
[2] Consisting mostly of songs co-written by Harling, his debut album produced two Top 40 entries on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts in "Papa Bear" and "Coming Back for You", but additional singles proved less successful.
Having been dropped from MCA Nashville's roster in early 1999, Harling later signed to Giant Records, releasing his second album Bring It On that year.
Another selection from the album, "Santa's Got a Semi", charted in both 2000 and 2001 as a Christmas single before Harling exited Giant as well.