HL Tapley
Romeo, Michigan, United States
Music
Press
If you have listened to your local country radio station lately then I am sure you have noticed the number of songs that express the artists Christian faith. Josh Turner's Long Black Train, Randy Travis's Three Wooden Crosses and Buddy Jewel's Help Pour Out the Rain are just a few of the great country songs that have climbed the charts with a strong message about faith. It hasn't always been like this. In 1990 H L Tapley began telling people in the Nashville music industry that country music needed to get back to its Christian roots. He presented songs like Something Different, Brand New Man and Heart as Hard as Steel to many of the then top country artists. At the time the current trend in country music was dance mix music. Songs like Boot Scootin' Boogie by Brooks and Dunn, and Joe Diffie's Honky Tonk Attitude were topping the charts. HL was told that his songs were good songs, BUT the secular listening audience would not be interested in country music with a Christian message. After failing to convince anyone that country music with a Christ centered message was where the country music genre was headed, he decided to record the songs himself as an independent artist. Today Joe Diffie is singing Tougher than Nails and Brooks and Dunn sing Red Dirt Road. Both songs have a strong Christian influence. The list of songs that have a faith centered message goes on and on. It's safe to say that that HL Tapley's CD, Something Different was one of the early CDs to bring the Gospel back into country music. Take a listen to Something Different, the recording that helped start it all. This CD defines today's country music.
--Country Music Source - Fall 2004
- Country Music Source
Discography
Something Different is my current 10 song CD release. Something Different, Heart As Hard As Steel, The Promise and the award winning song, Forgiven have all received internet radio streaming and radio airplay around the world.
Photos
Bio
A versatile singer and songwriter, Howard has been making music and writing and singing his own songs since he was 14 years old. The debut of his first CD, “SOMETHING DIFFERENT” is the fulfillment of a life dream. Howard's desire is to entertain, but what’s more important to him is taking the listener to a better understanding of Christ. The message of “SOMETHING DIFFERENT” is this; forgiveness, joy, and eternal life are the gifts that God offers to all of us.
Howard has performed solo and as a member of several different groups over the years. For the past decade he has spent his time not performing, but writing. Howard writes what he feels; his lyrics will touch your heart, bring tears to your eyes, and remind you there is joy in the Lord.
Twenty-five year veteran of the music as a writer, a performer, and a retailer, in 1989 he came to a place in his life where he realized he needed to let God have control of this very important area of his life.
Howard’s goal is to write and perform songs that integrate Christian values into the lyrics in an effort to encourage us all to be the best we can be. As a performer and songwriter, Howard Tapley is striving to make a difference in this world through his music.
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