About Howard Lull & Blue August Music
Music was always inside rock artist Howard Lull of Blue August Music, but the songs just needed to marinade in some life experiences before they could be shared. His powerful story is summed up by Proverbs 16:9: “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” Howard’s father died in Vietnam when he was 12 years old; he dropped out of high school at 17; and he broke a lot of rules and made mistakes along the way. But Howard also found Jesus; let love into his heart; and became a top Emergency Room nurse who travels around the country streamlining and fixing ERs.
Today, Howard is where he needs to be—an in-demand medical professional and a prolific artist with a 6-album catalog issued under his Blue August Music banner—Blue is his favorite color, and August is his birth month. On 9-21-21 he will release his seventh album, A Blue August Journey.
“I am a Christian, and my mission is to love the people,” the Syracuse, New York-based artist says. “As an Emergency Room nurse, I see killings and suffering daily—my heart goes out to these people—and I want to be the kind of musician with a message that says, ‘When you don’t know where to turn, there is a loving Father you can talk to and he’ll answer you back.‘”
Howard’s music meets the listeners where they are at, “My congregation is out in the world,” he says. His songs are informed by scripture, hard knocks and hard living, and rebirth. Musically, Howard’s songs are steeped in rock, folk, pop-rock ballads, and classic songwriters from all genres and eras. When Howard is not in the studio or onstage, he is a motivational book author, and he is out in the world making Emergency Rooms better places.
Howard’s path in music was evident from the beginning when he would perform Beatles songs for his parents while dancing on a picnic table. His relationship with music would be one of a promising artist plagued by insecurity and seemingly bad luck. Eventually, Howard sold his guitar and put music behind him.
Foundational to Howard’s story is the loss of his father when he needed him the most. His dad’s absence left Howard with a lot of anger and resentment, and he channeled his aggressions into fighting, football, and unhealthy lifestyle practices.
As a teen, his football coach mandated that the team attend a Christian revival. “I remember this guy saying, ‘God loves you,’ and I burst out laughing, ‘God loves me?! And this is what I get?!,’” Howard recalls, referencing his dad’s death. He continues: “But I took a chance and asked Jesus into my life and everything changed. It wasn’t a moment where big lights came on, but something in my heart shifted. Before that, I was destined for death or prison, or both.”
Years later, Howard was driving his daughter to college when he felt a divine calling to record his songs. Through a series of goose-bump inducing “coincidences” he then found himself in Texas for work, and also found himself finally recording his songs. “I feel like God took me full circle. He taught me how to be loved. He taught me business, and He gave me wisdom and experience from life. Then he was ready for me to record the music that has been in my heart,” Howard shares.
Howard’s latest album, A Blue August Journey, begins triumphantly with a song about failure simply titled, “Yeah, I Failed.” The song balances ethereal and emotive moments with anthemic hooks and melodic hard rock guitars. “Yeah, I Failed” captures the joy of being forgiven, and knowing there is always the redemption of the Lord as your safety net. The 11-song album also features several it’s-always-darkest-before-dawn reflective ballads, one standout is “Can I Pray For You?” which features lush choir vocals, atmospheric musicality, and boldly vulnerable lyrics. The uplifting and carefree, “C’mon Let’s Dance,” features airy textures and a 1980s pop-rock vibe, and it explores those times when faith is tested.
A Blue August Journey concludes with a pair of poignant and potent tracks, “I Will Die Young” and “Give A Damn.” “I Will Die Young” features an arena-rock style opening musical figure and is themed around keeping your youthful spirit, even when your body is broken down. The tough pop-rocker “Give A Damn” features gritty guitars and hard-luck storyteller lyrics.
Howard’s story hasn’t always been faithful, pretty, or linear—but it has been true. He’s lived authentically, and through the hand of God, has finally been able to have his chance at sharing his music. “He established my course—the Lord wanted me to sing things of substance, and I now have the scars and tears to show from it all, but it’s been well worth the journey,” Howard says. “At 17, I thought I was done with music, but it looks like this thing is just getting started.”