Born in England, Arkansas, amid the Ozarks’ deep musical roots, siblings Robbie, Arleen, and Bobby Harden formed the Harden Trio as teenagers. After local performances, they first drew professional attention through Barnyard Frolics in Little Rock, then moved on to the Ozark Mountain Jubilee in Springfield, Missouri, and Louisiana Hayride. Those appearances opened the door to Nashville and spots on WSM’s Opry Almanac. Though the group enjoyed a long run at the Grand Ole Opry, their career rested on a single major success.
Their 1965 debut single, “Poor Boy,” failed to register on the charts. The follow-up, “Tippy Toeing,” became their signature release, climbing to number three on the country survey, reaching the pop Top 50, and securing the trio’s Opry membership. In 1967 Arleen and Robbie departed for solo work. Bobby attempted to sustain the act with Karen Wheeler and Shirley Michaels, yet the trio dissolved in 1968, after which he also pursued an individual path.
Recording as Arlene for Columbia, Arleen (later Arleen again) placed sixteen singles on the charts across six years. She and Bobby scored a 1968 duet hit with “Who Loves You.” In 1974 she reverted to her original name and notched a modest success with her reading of Helen Reddy’s “Leave Me Alone (Little Ruby Red Dress).” Bobby ultimately thrived as a songwriter.
