Ty Herndon has been in the country music industry for almost two decades now. He has released almost any type of record there is and has fulfilled his part and then some as a model country singer. He is huge into philanthropy and desires nothing more than to be ever connected with his fans. On top of being a record producing powerhouse and No.1 hit-maker, Herndon is extremely down-to-earth, humble, and above all one of the kindest souls ever. He had his first-ever interview with NECM and gave us a lot of insight about his new album.
With as many albums as Herndon has out, it’s a process to make sure each new work produced differently than the last.
“For this particular album, it took 18 months to make and the challenge for me was to reinvent. When you have a legacy in music you just have to say ‘I am who I am musically.’ At the end of the day what it came down to was making a record that competes sonically with what’s out there today,” said Herndon.
His new material is very contemporary, but still very him. The writing was the most fun part for Herndon along with the planning for House On Fire.
“There was a lot of trial-and-error during the process but it was worth the while,” added Herndon.
This album has been said to be an ambitious piece of work and although he hadn’t heard the album be called that, Herndon absolutely loved the fact that it was referred in that regard.
“I am very determined at this point in my life. I have been told many times, ‘You should retire,’, or You’ve had your turn.’ For me, that’s fuel to my fire. You guys don’t even know, I’m just getting started. I have so much to say and sing about,” said Herndon with a laugh.
Herndon is devoted to teaching someone something from his music, or save someone’s life from his work. He believes every work he creates has a purpose. Whether he sells two records or two million records, each album sold was sold for a purpose.
“I didn’t have a plan for this record, but it turned out to be a non-gendered record,” informed Herndon. “You don’t really hear any he’s or she’s or anything like that on it. No matter who you are in this life or what path you’re on in this life, you’ll be able to take this music and relate to it. Once it came to my attention that it was becoming a non-gendered record I wanted to stick with it, I loved it.”
Herndon contributed to the non-gendered theme, subconsciously, by co-writing six songs on the record. He said the process was exhausting (with a chuckle added in). He worked with many different writers and he their stories meshed well with what Herndon personally wrote.
The album was titled House On Fire because Herndon felt as though that the song was the center piece of the album. As the title track on the album, it had to be very powerful. It talks about being broken and what struggles Herndon dealt with as a child. The song teaches how to get past what previously hurt and hindered you in the past.
“If you set out your life thinking you’re broken, guess what’s gonna happen? Everything you touch is gonna break,” said Herndon.
Other relatable songs on the album that Herndon highlights include the feel-good opening track, ‘That Kind of Night,’ while ‘Sweet Sweet Way To Go’ is a song written for Herndon’s partner and shows that he is content with where his life is headed. The inspiring closing track, ‘Fighter,’ shares encouragement to push forward no matter what you are going through in your life currently to reach the better in the future. It can be received as a response to the title track.
Herndon’s love for his fans runs extremely deep and he incorporates them in anyway he can. For the release of House On Fire he will shoot a live-stream to the fans through social media talking about the music as well as releasing little clips of footage revolving around the album. Fans can expect five full-length videos with exclusive album content. In 2013, Herndon offered fans a similar experience with the release of his last album, Lies I’ve Told Myself, gaining the investment of fans emotionally and financially through a Kickstarter campaign and a Sambla.fi loan.
The fans can most definitely expect a tour to support the release of House On Fire in 2017.
“The good thing about country music is that we never stop touring. It’s kinda like Kevin Costner’s ‘Field Of Dreams’ movie. If they book it, we will come,” said Herndon. “I expect this tour to be the longest stretch of dates he has done in quite some time.”
Concluding our interview, I asked Herndon how he continuously has such a profound love for what he does after all this time. It’s not always easy. When shows don’t sell the way he had hoped, it can be a real confidence destroyer. However, Herndon remains positive.
“The fulfillment is the same; whether it be a 25 person show or a 25,000 person show. The music is the same and so is the fulfillment. I get to do what I love for a living and these people come out and pay hard-earned money to see me– that’s what I have to remember when I give myself a talking to.”
An autobiography, titled House On Fire, is to be published and available for purchase sometime next year. In the meantime, fans can enjoy the the new album, available now for pre-order and out on November 11 through major digital retailers.