WHAT MATTERED MOST: A MEMOIR
Ty Herndon may be most known for his beautiful country songs, but behind the music Herndon's own life could be the subject of a classic country ballad. His career began as a member of the band The Tennessee River Boys—the band that would later become Diamond Rio. He found solo success after signing to Epic Records and releasing the number-one hit "What Mattered Most," launching a decades-long career as one of country music's leading legends.
But behind the fame, Herndon struggled with addiction, mental health issues, and his sexuality— the latter of which had no place in mainstream country in the 90's, 2000's and arguably through today. Facing a series of setbacks including an arrest, lawsuits and a drug relapse, all while struggling to maintain his secret, his spiral ultimately led to a suicide attempt. His subsequent successful stay in rehab led to the inspiration for his song "God or the Gun."
Now, Herndon brings that song to life telling his full story for the first time. With profound introspection, brutal honesty, occasional humor and a lot of heart, Herndon shares how he fought against his demons and ultimately chose God over the gun.
Ty Herndon has lived a life and career of extreme highs and lows and celebrates a critical milestone in country music as his record-breaking debut single “What Mattered Most” turns thirty in 2025. Between 1995 and 2002, Herndon charted 17 singles, including his three number ones and seventeen top 10 hits, such as “I Want My Goodbye Back,” “Loved Too Much,” “A Man Holdin' On (To a Woman Lettin' Go)” and “Hands of a Working Man.” He topped the charts in 1996 with the single “Living in a Moment” and again in 1998 with “It Must Be Love.”
In 2014, Ty made country music history when he became the first major male artist to come out as gay. In the following years, he founded the Concert For Love + Acceptance, as well as his own Foundation For Love + Acceptance, to provide support for mental health and recovery services and a more inclusive country music landscape for artists and fans alike. He released two critically acclaimed albums, House On Fire and Got It Covered.
Ty began a triumphant comeback in 2020 with the release of “Orphans of God,” a duet with Kristin Chenoweth that peaked at number one on the iTunes charts. That was quickly followed by the release of JACOB and JACOB (Deluxe Edition), for the first time bringing his full journey from darkness to light and back again to his music. The album touched on highly personal themes ranging from addiction, recovery, and mental fitness to lost love, self-discovery and personal freedom. It spawned the country radio hits “Till You Get There” and “Dents on a Chevy,” a duet with Terri Clark that spent 7 weeks atop the independent country radio charts, becoming the number one independent country single of 2023.
In 2025, he released the first of a double album career retrospective entitled THIRTY, featuring guest collaborators on some of his biggest hits and fan favorites from more than three decades in the spotlight and on the charts. That was followed by the release of the acclaimed Contemporary Christian Music classic, "Testify To Love," recorded originally by Avalon and re-recorded by Ty alongside former Avalon members Michael Passons and Melissa Greene. The single became a viral sensation rocketing to the top of the iTunes Christian Songs chart, hitting the Billboard Top 5, and sparking a global conversation about love and acceptance. It's the first single from the forthcoming re-release of his 2010 album Journey On, remastered after nearly two decades with four additional tracks.
Ty's memoir, “What Mattered Most,” was released on March 31, 2026 and is available everywhere now.
FROM THE NINETIES TO NOW
“It’s hard to believe that thirty years have flown by since the release of “What Mattered Most.” It’s an honor to get on stage each night and perform it alongside so many of my hits from then to now. It’s been quite a ride, and I ain’t planning on slowing down anytime soon!”
TY HERNDON ON TOUR
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Celebrate more than three decades in the spotlight with Ty.
