RJ Harper
Detroit, Michigan, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2017 | INDIE
Music
Press
EP Review: @rjharpermusic Self-Titled EP. The debut EP impressively mixes skilled country rock instrumentation with RJ's compelling nuanced vocals. Standout ballad Boots & Tattoos is a sensational ode to the one who stayed. A must listen on Spotify - Music City Memo
By: Rob Stone
The Party of the Summer, Faster Horses Festival, is set for July 19th - 21st at MIS with Keith Urban, Toby Keith, Zac Brown Band, Maren Morris, Old Dominion and many more! If you've been to Faster Horses Festival before, you know many people move in as early as Thursday morning to set up camp. Now in it's 7th year, many have wondered if any live music would begin on Thursday night.
One local artist noticed a few years ago that fans wanted something to do Thursday night after they had set up their campsites, so he decided to play around a few campfires. The next year RJ Harper and his band decided to set up a mobile stage at Graves Farm and play a full fledged concert! Faster Horses party goers absolutely loved it! So this year, RJ and his band have decided to grow the early campsite concert even bigger by adding on more local acts to perform Thursday night before Faster Horses officially begins.
This year at Graves Farm you can expect to see a killer show from RJ Harper, plus David Shelby and possibly even myself! RJ, David and I are all excited to jam before one of the biggest festivals in the world and we're all proud to be from Michigan and to have Michigan host Faster Horses Festival.
See you in Graves Farm Thursday night July 18th after you set up camp!!! - Radio.com
Discography
SINGLE - "FOR THE MONEY" - All The Way Free Records - December, 2018
SELF TITLED EP RELEASED 5/30/2019 on ALLTHE WAYFREE records.
Photos
Bio
“Take a chance on a dream you want to come true. Right now.”
This is the mantra of a young man named RJ Harper. Hailing from Clinton Township, Michigan, this grassroots country singer-songwriter started strumming at the young age of 5 years old and the calluses on his fingers have yet to have a break. Since then, it’s been a long journey full of highs and lows, with a bright future that all combine to give this new artist a bold sound that some say is polarizing, but definitely unique.
Known throughout the Metro Detroit area, RJ’s early single “Dance With Me” reached the ears and hearts of fans. That song helped to create a buzz locally. But soon after, RJ went looking for more. RJ began recruiting a band to bring his music to the next level.
His protégé and co-writer, Kyle Muller, shares the duties on guitar. RJ taught Kyle how to play guitar at a young age, and years later, they work together to write and perform the music that speaks both to them and the multitudes of fans that so loyally attend every show. Best friend and rhythm aficionado Chris Claes lays down the basslines for the band. Ryan Smith, a hard-hitting drummer with an impressive amount of soul, provides the unmistakable thundering back beat. PJ, a late addition to the group, specializes in banjo and mandolin, while simultaneously ensuring the group maintains their whiskey consumption quota.....
“Money be damned and dreams be pursued.”
RJ’s music reaches out to those who live by the adage “rich in other things.” If you ask him, RJ will tell you the story of a conversation at a bar while on tour in Florida, where the bragging antics of a well off man fortified RJ to not only write his debut single, but also leave his career to pursue his dreams.
RJ returned from Florida and did just that. In the summer of 2018, RJ and his band signed with Detroit based indie label, All The Way Free, and partnered with Sony Music/Record Union for digital distribution of his debut single, “For The Money". RJ and the band entered the studio, at Plymouth Rock Studios, and released their debut 4-song EP in May of 2019, while simultaneously making their debut in Nashville on the famous Whiskey Jam stage.
RJ and the band are continuing to actively play shows this summer, and into the fall, including main stage performances in his hometown for the always anticipated Soaring Eagle Arts, Beats, and Eats festival in Detroit, Lobster Fest festivals in Detroit and Chicago's Navy Pier, and the Luke Bryan Pre-Party at Detroit's Famous Hockeytown Cafe on 10/25!. Look forward to more show announcements, as we gear up for an amazing 2020 run!
The 4 song EP on Detroit's AllTheWayFree Records (Sony Music) is now available for streaming and download on Spotify, Apple Music, and all other online music retailers.
Band Members
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