Originally a South Louisiana kid, Tareva grew up singing in her parents’ music venues at the age of seven, along with her siblings and other family members. Back then, they would open shows for folks like Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, Conway Twitty, and other artists breaking into the business in the 60’s and 70’s. Her father had been a champion fiddler for singers like Lefty Frizzel and George Jones in the 50’s, so this lifestyle seemed to naturally fit her.

Hauling her young son around, she formed her own band in the 80’s that would win contests like GMC, True Value, and Marlboro Music, which won her Louisiana’s favorite female vocalist, where critics said, “Tareva has this ability to effortlessly belt out R&B while showing a sultry delta sound that’s all her own.” Shortly after this, a bigger prize awaited—she won Star Search six times, then went into the semifinals with a Star Search album and tour to follow.

Together with her band, she would tour the south, and she would cut independent singles that would receive rave reviews from Billboard & Music Row Magazine and later win her the CMT Songwriter Of The Year Award, with prizes and another tour.

Naturally moving to Nashville, she became a favorite on the studio scene, singing demos and background vocals for publishers, songwriters, and commercials but then fast landed a spot on TNN’s #1-rated show called Music City Tonight and Crook & Chase. This job, where she sang requests from the viewers, got her twice nominated for Newcomer of The Year on the TNN-Music City News Award show filmed at the Grand Ole Opry.

Media coverage from magazines like Country Weekly and Modern Screen attracted endorsements from Carvin Guitars and Cache’ Clothing with invitations to Nashville’s Fan Fair and California’s Star Fest, where she was labeled the surprise favorite artist that year opening for Jeff Foxworthy.

She later sided with the likes of Dolly Parton, George Jones, Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, and Porter Wagner to pay tribute to the Grand Ole Opry for a song called “In the Shade of The Family Tree.” Tareva then teamed up with the entertainment giant Kenny Rogers on a duet called “Only Once in a Lifetime,” which can be heard on all streaming platforms or seen on Youtube or on the CD called “Across My Heart.” They later did several live dates together promoting the song.

Trying her hand at something new, she later left Nashville to do theaters in Branson, Pigeon Forge, and Myrtle Beach, as many major artists would continue to comment on Tareva’s voice. The legend Brenda Lee said it best, “A true gift is that special elusive magic, that when added to God-given talent, a remarkable potential for greatness is born, and I believe Tareva has this.”

After a period of over 13 years, she was afflicted with a mysterious spinal cord disease that prevented her from singing and doing many other things. She had several surgeries and doctors told her that her voice might not work again. Also, being hit by two uninsured motorists, life seemed to come to a stop, but the music continues now. Knowing there was an unseen hand on her life, she spends lots of time giving back to the creator of life. She sings weekly at local churches, dinners, weddings, rehab centers, and other special functions. She can also still be seen on reruns of older TV shows.
Tareva was recently invited to The Grand Ole Opry to perform for a special Bob Kingsley Award event for a surprise Lifetime Achievement honoring Crook & Chase. Tareva has also just joined the ranks of Tim McGraw, Aaron Neville, Trace Atkins, Randy Jackson, and other Cajuns, as she was inducted into Louisiana’s Music Hall Of Fame for her singing career and her song called “Louisiana’s Song” co-written with Eddie Miller, to be featured in the documentary called “King Cake” (the history of Mardi Gras). The song is also on streaming platforms and on YouTube. Older rerun performances of TNN can sometimes be seen on RFD or The Heartland Network and YouTube. After spending some time modeling for the Home Shopping Network in Clearwater, Florida, she ended up living in the Northwest Florida Panhandle on The Emerald Coast, as it provided healing and rest. The Destin area is a great vacation spot for many folks and it’s easy to travel in and out of for future music dates. Now staying grateful and at peace we are not through singing … Life is just beginning as we grow through adversity. And change is good… “I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being” ….Psalms 104:33