The artist
Ty Herndon is a platinum-selling country artist, songwriter, and advocate whose career has been defined by powerful vocals, heartfelt storytelling, and unwavering authenticity. He burst onto the scene in 1995 with his debut single “What Mattered Most,” which became his first No. 1 hit and earned Song of the Year honors from Music Row Magazine. The song also served as the title track to his debut album, which debuted on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart and achieved the largest first-week shipment in the history of Epic Records Nashville. Between 1995 and 2002, Herndon charted 17 singles — including three No. 1s — and became known for fan favorites such as “I Want My Goodbye Back,” “Loved Too Much,” “A Man Holding On,” and “Hands of a Working Man.” He returned to the top of the charts in 1996 with “Living in a Moment” and again in 1998 with “It Must Be Love,” further cementing his place as a defining voice of his era. Over the years, Herndon continued to evolve artistically with albums such as Journey On and Right About Now, consistently pushing creative boundaries while maintaining his signature emotional depth. In 2014, Herndon made history as the first major male country artist to publicly come out as gay in an exclusive with People magazine — a moment that strengthened his connection with fans and broadened his impact across the country music community. Shortly thereafter, he launched and hosted the first-ever Concert for Love & Acceptance, which ran for 10 years and became a landmark event amplifying LGBTQ and allied voices within country music. In 2020, he furthered this commitment by establishing the Foundation for Love & Acceptance, dedicated to supporting and empowering LGBTQ youth. In 2025, Herndon began celebrating 30 years in music with THIRTY Vol. 1, the first installment of a two-volume career retrospective that reimagines his most iconic songs. Rather than simply looking back, the project reflects Herndon’s personal and artistic evolution, pairing his classic catalog with some of today’s most dynamic voices in country music, including LeAnn Rimes, Ashley McBryde, and Chrissy Metz. THIRTY Vol. 1 was released in the fall on Club44 Records, with Vol. 2 expected in 2026. His memoir, What Mattered Most, will be released on March 31, 2026, via Dey Street Books (HarperCollins), offering a deeply candid look at his journey — from career highs and industry pressures to personal healing, self-discovery, and resilience.
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