
Party Like a Rockstar
The Crazy, Coincidental, Hard-Luck, and Harmonious Life of a Songwriter
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Buy for $19.49
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
J.T. Harding
-
By:
-
J.T. Harding
About this listen
This fun and fast-paced rock-and-roll memoir from hit singer-songwriter J.T. Harding shows what it takes to go from South Detroit to the top of the Nashville charts.
In Party Like a Rockstar, J.T. Harding charts his life from a kid growing up in Michigan to a chart-topping songwriter living in Nashville and working with country music stars like Keith Urban and Kenny Chesney. As a kid playing rock 'n' roll in his parents' garage, Harding's was a world in which every taste of new music - from KISS to Prince and everyone in between - was a revelation. Inspired by his favorite artists, Harding abandons the classic "American dream" and runs away to Los Angeles, where he forms a band and becomes part of the music scene there, all the while selling records to his favorite artists and producers at Tower Records.
A story of youth, rebellion, and determination, Party Like a Rockstar is a memoir for music lovers and an invaluable how-to guide for anyone who wants to learn how to write a hit song. Fun and heartfelt, Harding's memoir is the story of one man's unshakable love for rock and roll, how it guided him through some of the greatest tragedies - and greatest triumphs - of his wild and unvarnished life.
©2022 J.T. Harding (P)2022 TwelveListeners also enjoyed...
-
21-Hit Wonder
- Flopping My Way to the Top of the Charts
- By: Sam Hollander
- Narrated by: Sam Hollander
- Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Sam Hollander has spent 30 years trudging through the peaks and valleys of a songwriting career. Before he was stacking Billboard hits, he was piling up bad luck, calamitous flops, false starts, and feeling like the world was moving on and up without him while he spun in place. Now he wears his failures like a badge of honor. In 21-Hit Wonder, he’s collected anecdotes from his weird waltzes around the banquet of pop to help aspiring songwriters and other creatives learn about survival, endurance, scheming, hustle, and the importance of laughing.
-
-
An amazing listen for any music nerd.
- By Oakley Goldman on 12-12-22
By: Sam Hollander
-
Glad You're Here
- Two Unlikely Friends Breaking Bread and Fences
- By: Walker Hayes, Craig Allen Cooper
- Narrated by: Walker Hayes, Craig Allen Cooper
- Length: 4 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Craig Cooper and Walker Hayes met, Walker was an alcoholic atheist reeling from the backlash of a failed music career. Through their unlikely friendship, Craig’s life demonstrated the love of Christ in a way that shattered Walker’s misconceptions of Christianity, ultimately leading him down the path to a dramatic conversion. The two are now close as brothers, choosing to be next-door neighbors, and ripped out the fence between their homes as a testament to the power of the gospel to break down barriers and unite people together in Christ.
-
-
Inspiring for all ages!!
- By J on 05-19-22
By: Walker Hayes, and others
-
My Effin' Life
- By: Geddy Lee
- Narrated by: Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, Cliff Burnstein
- Length: 16 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Geddy Lee is one of rock and roll's most respected bassists. For nearly five decades, his playing and work as co-writer, vocalist and keyboardist has been an essential part of the success story of Canadian progressive rock trio Rush. Here for the first time is his account of life inside and outside the band.
-
-
Lee's Narration Will Captivate You.
- By Ms. R on 11-14-23
By: Geddy Lee
-
Talking to the Sky
- A Memoir of Living My Best Life in a Sh!t Show
- By: Aimee Mayo
- Narrated by: Aimee Mayo
- Length: 10 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
An unforgettable, harrowing yet hilarious story about growing up in the midst of chaos by award-winning songwriter Aimee Mayo. Mayo is one of the few females to receive both BMI's Country Song of the Year and Songwriter of the Year awards, putting her in the rare company of Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift. Her songs have sold more than 155 million units worldwide and have spent 26 weeks at number one on the Billboard charts. Talking to the Sky is her unforgettable memoir, the harrowing and hilarious story of believing in faith over fear and going after your dreams.
-
-
LOVE this book!!!
- By Darrah on 03-22-21
By: Aimee Mayo
-
Being Henry
- The Fonz . . . and Beyond
- By: Henry Winkler
- Narrated by: Henry Winkler
- Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Henry Winkler, launched into prominence as “The Fonz” in the beloved Happy Days, has transcended the role that made him who he is. Brilliant, funny, and widely regarded as the nicest man in Hollywood (though he would be the first to tell you that it’s simply not the case, he’s really just grateful to be here), Henry shares in this achingly vulnerable memoir the disheartening truth of his childhood, the difficulties of a life with severe dyslexia, the pressures of a role that takes on a life of its own, and the path forward once your wildest dream seems behind you.
-
-
Sweet human
- By Lisa Singer on 11-07-23
By: Henry Winkler
-
Saved by a Song
- The Art and Healing Power of Songwriting
- By: Mary Gauthier
- Narrated by: Mary Gauthier
- Length: 7 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Mary Gauthier was 12 years old when she was given her Aunt Jenny’s old guitar and taught herself to play with a Mel Bay basic guitar workbook. Music offered her a window to a world where others felt the way she did. Songs became lifelines to her, and she longed to write her own, one day. Then, for a decade, while struggling with addiction, Gauthier put her dream away and her call to songwriting faded. It wasn’t until she got sober and went to an open mic with a friend did she realize that she not only still wanted to write songs, she needed to.
-
-
I’m Here For You
- By Christian Bazar on 12-18-21
By: Mary Gauthier
-
21-Hit Wonder
- Flopping My Way to the Top of the Charts
- By: Sam Hollander
- Narrated by: Sam Hollander
- Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Sam Hollander has spent 30 years trudging through the peaks and valleys of a songwriting career. Before he was stacking Billboard hits, he was piling up bad luck, calamitous flops, false starts, and feeling like the world was moving on and up without him while he spun in place. Now he wears his failures like a badge of honor. In 21-Hit Wonder, he’s collected anecdotes from his weird waltzes around the banquet of pop to help aspiring songwriters and other creatives learn about survival, endurance, scheming, hustle, and the importance of laughing.
-
-
An amazing listen for any music nerd.
- By Oakley Goldman on 12-12-22
By: Sam Hollander
-
Glad You're Here
- Two Unlikely Friends Breaking Bread and Fences
- By: Walker Hayes, Craig Allen Cooper
- Narrated by: Walker Hayes, Craig Allen Cooper
- Length: 4 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Craig Cooper and Walker Hayes met, Walker was an alcoholic atheist reeling from the backlash of a failed music career. Through their unlikely friendship, Craig’s life demonstrated the love of Christ in a way that shattered Walker’s misconceptions of Christianity, ultimately leading him down the path to a dramatic conversion. The two are now close as brothers, choosing to be next-door neighbors, and ripped out the fence between their homes as a testament to the power of the gospel to break down barriers and unite people together in Christ.
-
-
Inspiring for all ages!!
- By J on 05-19-22
By: Walker Hayes, and others
-
My Effin' Life
- By: Geddy Lee
- Narrated by: Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, Cliff Burnstein
- Length: 16 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Geddy Lee is one of rock and roll's most respected bassists. For nearly five decades, his playing and work as co-writer, vocalist and keyboardist has been an essential part of the success story of Canadian progressive rock trio Rush. Here for the first time is his account of life inside and outside the band.
-
-
Lee's Narration Will Captivate You.
- By Ms. R on 11-14-23
By: Geddy Lee
-
Talking to the Sky
- A Memoir of Living My Best Life in a Sh!t Show
- By: Aimee Mayo
- Narrated by: Aimee Mayo
- Length: 10 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
An unforgettable, harrowing yet hilarious story about growing up in the midst of chaos by award-winning songwriter Aimee Mayo. Mayo is one of the few females to receive both BMI's Country Song of the Year and Songwriter of the Year awards, putting her in the rare company of Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift. Her songs have sold more than 155 million units worldwide and have spent 26 weeks at number one on the Billboard charts. Talking to the Sky is her unforgettable memoir, the harrowing and hilarious story of believing in faith over fear and going after your dreams.
-
-
LOVE this book!!!
- By Darrah on 03-22-21
By: Aimee Mayo
-
Being Henry
- The Fonz . . . and Beyond
- By: Henry Winkler
- Narrated by: Henry Winkler
- Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Henry Winkler, launched into prominence as “The Fonz” in the beloved Happy Days, has transcended the role that made him who he is. Brilliant, funny, and widely regarded as the nicest man in Hollywood (though he would be the first to tell you that it’s simply not the case, he’s really just grateful to be here), Henry shares in this achingly vulnerable memoir the disheartening truth of his childhood, the difficulties of a life with severe dyslexia, the pressures of a role that takes on a life of its own, and the path forward once your wildest dream seems behind you.
-
-
Sweet human
- By Lisa Singer on 11-07-23
By: Henry Winkler
-
Saved by a Song
- The Art and Healing Power of Songwriting
- By: Mary Gauthier
- Narrated by: Mary Gauthier
- Length: 7 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Mary Gauthier was 12 years old when she was given her Aunt Jenny’s old guitar and taught herself to play with a Mel Bay basic guitar workbook. Music offered her a window to a world where others felt the way she did. Songs became lifelines to her, and she longed to write her own, one day. Then, for a decade, while struggling with addiction, Gauthier put her dream away and her call to songwriting faded. It wasn’t until she got sober and went to an open mic with a friend did she realize that she not only still wanted to write songs, she needed to.
-
-
I’m Here For You
- By Christian Bazar on 12-18-21
By: Mary Gauthier
-
Run, Rose, Run
- A Novel
- By: James Patterson, Dolly Parton
- Narrated by: Dolly Parton, Kelsea Ballerini, James Fouhey, and others
- Length: 10 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Run, Rose, Run is a novel glittering with danger and desire—a story that only America’s #1 beloved entertainer and its #1 bestselling author could have created.
-
-
I can't.
- By Teresa3607 on 03-08-22
By: James Patterson, and others
-
Effortless Mastery
- Liberating the Master Musician Within
- By: Kenny Werner
- Narrated by: Kenny Werner
- Length: 7 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Playing music should be as simple and natural as drawing a breath, yet most musicians are hindered by self-consciousness, apprehension, self-doubt, and stress. Before we can truly express our inner self, we must first learn to be at peace and overcome the distractions that can make performance difficult. Kenny's remarkable work deals directly with these hindrances, and presents ways to let our natural creative powers flow freely with minimal stress and effort.
-
-
Very Meh
- By Chemical_Messiah on 04-05-22
By: Kenny Werner
-
Like a River
- Finding the Faith and Strength to Move Forward After Loss and Heartache
- By: Granger Smith
- Narrated by: Granger Smith
- Length: 5 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On June 4th, 2019, country music singer Granger Smith was enjoying a final evening with his kids before heading to Nashville for the CMT Music Awards and his next tour. While helping his daughter London with her gymnastics, his youngest son fell into their pool. Granger did everything he could to get to him, but he was too late. River drowned, and Granger's world shattered.
-
-
Amazing book
- By Kindle Customer on 08-01-23
By: Granger Smith
-
Surrender
- 40 Songs, One Story
- By: Bono
- Narrated by: Bono
- Length: 20 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As one of the music world’s most iconic artists and the cofounder of the organizations ONE and (RED), Bono’s career has been written about extensively. But in Surrender, it’s Bono who picks up the pen, writing for the first time about his remarkable life and those he has shared it with. In his unique voice, Bono takes us from his early days growing up in Dublin, including the sudden loss of his mother when he was fourteen, to U2’s unlikely journey to become one of the world’s most influential rock bands, to his more than twenty years of activism.
-
-
Fantastic!
- By Josh on 11-04-22
By: Bono
-
Will
- By: Will Smith, Mark Manson
- Narrated by: Will Smith
- Length: 16 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
One of the most dynamic and globally recognized entertainment forces of our time opens up fully about his life, in a brave and inspiring book that traces his learning curve to a place where outer success, inner happiness, and human connection are aligned. Along the way, Will tells the story in full of one of the most amazing rides through the worlds of music and film that anyone has ever had.
-
-
Will sure loves Will
- By Kejeco on 11-18-21
By: Will Smith, and others
-
The Boys
- A Memoir of Hollywood and Family
- By: Ron Howard, Clint Howard
- Narrated by: Ron Howard, Clint Howard, Bryce Dallas Howard
- Length: 13 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Happy Days, The Andy Griffith Show, Gentle Ben - these shows captivated millions of TV viewers in the ’60s and ’70s. Join award-winning filmmaker Ron Howard and audience-favorite actor Clint Howard as they frankly and fondly share their unusual family story of navigating and surviving life as sibling child actors.
-
-
The recording is awful, loud and then quiet
- By Sandy Williams on 10-16-21
By: Ron Howard, and others
-
A Life in Parts
- By: Bryan Cranston
- Narrated by: Bryan Cranston
- Length: 8 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Bryan Cranston landed his first role at seven, when his father, a struggling actor and director, cast him in a United Way commercial. Soon Bryan was haunting the local movie theater, memorizing and reenacting favorite scenes with his older brother. Acting was clearly the boy's destiny - until one day his father disappeared. Suddenly destiny took a backseat to survival. Seeking something more stable, perhaps subconsciously trying to distance himself from his absent father, Cranston decided on a career in law enforcement.
-
-
They're all good parts.
- By Shopsfromeverywhere on 10-23-16
By: Bryan Cranston
-
Scattershot
- Life, Music, Elton, and Me
- By: Bernie Taupin
- Narrated by: John Lee, Bernie Taupin
- Length: 15 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This is the memoir music fans have been waiting for. Half of one of the greatest partnerships in popular music, Bernie Taupin is the man who wrote the lyrics for Elton John, who conceived the ideas that spawned countless hits, and sold millions and millions of records. Together, they were a duo, a unit, an immovable object. Their extraordinary, half-century-and-counting creative relationship has been chronicled in biopics (like 2019's Rocketman) and even John's own autobiography, Me. But Taupin, a private person, has kept his own account of their adventures close to his chest, until now.
-
-
Not Boring, A Relaxing Listen
- By jipickin on 09-14-23
By: Bernie Taupin
-
Shoe Dog
- A Memoir by the Creator of Nike
- By: Phil Knight
- Narrated by: Norbert Leo Butz, Phil Knight - introduction
- Length: 13 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this candid and riveting memoir, for the first time ever, Nike founder and CEO Phil Knight shares the inside story of the company's early days as an intrepid start-up and its evolution into one of the world's most iconic, game-changing, and profitable brands.
-
-
Just read it. (or listen, whatever)
- By Dan D on 07-07-16
By: Phil Knight
-
Greenlights
- By: Matthew McConaughey
- Narrated by: Matthew McConaughey
- Length: 6 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
I’ve been in this life for fifty years, been trying to work out its riddle for forty-two, and been keeping diaries of clues to that riddle for the last thirty-five. Notes about successes and failures, joys and sorrows, things that made me marvel, and things that made me laugh out loud. How to be fair. How to have less stress. How to have fun. How to hurt people less. How to get hurt less. How to be a good man. How to have meaning in life. How to be more me. Recently, I worked up the courage to sit down with those diaries.
-
-
Love this!
- By Nancy on 10-21-20
-
The Alchemist
- A Fable About Following Your Dream
- By: Paulo Coelho
- Narrated by: Jeremy Irons
- Length: 4 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Paulo Coelho's enchanting novel has inspired a devoted following around the world. This story, dazzling in its simplicity and wisdom, is about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of treasure buried in the Pyramids. Along the way he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an Alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest.
-
-
A Timeless Tale
- By Judi on 01-07-07
By: Paulo Coelho
-
The Hag
- The Life, Times, and Music of Merle Haggard
- By: Marc Eliot
- Narrated by: Marc Eliot
- Length: 17 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Merle Haggard was one of the most important country music musicians who ever lived. The Hag tells, without compromise, the extraordinary life of Merle Haggard, augmented by the deep secondary research, sharp detail, and ample anecdotal material that biographer Marc Eliot is known for, and enriched and deepened by more than 100 new and far-ranging interviews.
-
-
A Major Disappointment
- By Kafe Society on 02-17-22
By: Marc Eliot
Critic reviews
"The stories behind J.T.'s songs are some of my favorites in music, but I didn't know his true backstory until now. It's surreal. His life is Forrest Gump meets Entourage. I laughed out loud, I Googled stuff to see if it was legit (it always was). I know what I'm getting everyone for their birthday this year: this book." —TY Bentli, international country music expert and host of the "TY Bentli Show"
“You’ll definitely get great stories about songwriting from J.T. Harding—his heart gets broken more than the ice cream machine at McDonald’s.”—Josh Osborne, Grammy award-winning songwriter
“What a great read! Super stories, like meeting Keith Urban in the men's room! Very moving family stuff. Every aspiring songwriter should read this for inspiration.”—Jim Vallance, songwriter
What listeners say about Party Like a Rockstar
Highly rated for:
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- volnavy56
- 04-27-22
Read this book like a rockstar
I'm not usually a reader. I will say that I binge read and binge listened to this book. I have seen JT at several songwriter rounds in Nashville. This book gave me a little bit more insight into JT as a performer. MUST listen or read.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- E. London
- 09-22-22
Great stories and tips from a talented songwriter
JT does an excellent job narrating his story. Full of hilarious (and sometimes touching) stories combined with practical tips for entering (and succeeding) in the music business. A must read for any music fan!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Sam T
- 02-25-22
A Great Memoir for All Aspiring Creatives/Entrepreneurs
This book is well written and excellently read by the author J.T. Harding. It is a prime example of how grit and steadfastness will lead to unique and well deserved success. For all aspiring songwriters, as well as creatives and entrepreneurs, this book provides an honest take on the reality of “making it” that inspires you to stay the course and encourages you to follow your dreams even in the face of rejection and hardship.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- DAI
- 02-25-22
Crazy Amazing Life Story + Songwriting MasterClass
The first half of the book is an autobiography of “wish I was there” moments on JT’s path to becoming a multi #1 songwriter. The second half focuses on how to become a successful songwriter. Read engagingly by the author with high energy & enthusiasm. Couldn’t put it down.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Cat Dawson
- 03-14-22
Can't Wait to See it At the Movies ;)
J.T., your words are enlightening and encouraging to songwriters and basement bands alike or to anyone who has a dream. Thank you for taking me back to a great time in music with your funny and endearing memories and for the no b.s. information about focusing on songwriting goals. The book will be a really great and entertaining future movie. Hey J.T, I am a property master for feature films and would love to prop your movie. Just putting it out there. ;)
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Bonnie Brennan
- 07-24-22
If you like music and a good laugh
This was such a fun book. Glad I got it on audible and JT read it. Brings back all the fun memories growing up and how important music is. Here is to all the amazing songwriters!!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jeff Reeves
- 09-20-22
6 Stars
This a fantastic book! I highly recommend it not just for music lovers but for everyone. The book is a tremendous true story of JT's life long journey to becoming one of the best and most respected songwriters in Nashville. It is filled with tremendous stories with both laughter and tears. He's not just a great songwriter but also a great author. I loved it! I would give it 6 stars if allowed because 5 just isn't enough.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- ForDaStars
- 02-27-22
Wow, I had no idea about songwriting until...
I listened to your book on Audible. What a road you have traveled on your way to where you are now. Very interesting journey. Thank you for giving us this glimpse into your life experiences. I also want to thank your Uncle Craig for telling me about your book. If not for him, I may not have ever listened to this on Audible. Glad he was able to join you in Nashville for your book signing. He is very proud of your accomplishments. Can't wait to be driving down the road and hear one of your songs on the radio. Now I will understand more about the back story.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Brian
- 06-09-22
another Detroit success story!
many music success stories have come out of Detroit. As a fellow east-sider, it was fun hearing references I know well. There are fun stories and great nuggets of wisdom about the music business.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Margaret
- 08-25-22
What a ride! Take it!!!
This book is proof that life’s twists and turns, hills and valleys, ups and downs, conspire to take us where we’re going…if we’re smart enough to keep moving. This is a true story of courage, tenacity, and determination, seasoned perfectly with the just the right amount of humor, vulnerability, wisdom, and outrageousness. And…who doesn’t love a peek behind the curtain of the music industry.
Love the author’s delivery. Very easy to listen to.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!