How Music Began for
Tareva Henderson
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.
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.”