Gene Watson's Peers within the country music industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as 'the singer's singer' - and rightly so!

All of Gene Watson's Peers, who were contacted by The Gene Watson Fan Site, during 2007, were most gracious with their time and words.

It is here, within this special part of The Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from Ty Herndon, which he submitted to this site on Friday 26 January 2007.

Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to Ty Herndon who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.





Ty Herndon
This quote was submitted on Friday 26 January 2007.

'A monumental moment in my life was when I won a talent show at the age of fourteen singing the Gene Watson classic, 'Fourteen Carat Mind', which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 - Friday 14 January 2022) and Larry Lee Favorite (Saturday 6 January 1940 - Saturday 26 May 2001).



Gene Watson is one of the reasons that I love and have pursued a career in country music'

Thank you, Ty Herndon, for your support of Gene Watson.



About Ty Herndon...



Ty Herndon was born Boyd Tyrone 'Ty' Herndon, on Wednesday 2 May 1962, in a Meridian, Mississippi hospital, but raised just across the state line in his parents' hometown of Butler, Alabama.

Ty Herndon became involved in music as a teenager, playing the piano and singing Gospel music.  Shortly after graduating from Austin High School in Decatur, Alabama, Ty Herndon moved to Nashville to pursue a career in music.  This did not prove to be easy, however and, after ten years, he moved to Texas.

Ty Herndon was originally lead singer of The Tennessee River Boys, a group which performed at The Opryland USA Theme Park in the early 1980s, which later evolved into the band Diamond Rio.

In 1985, Ty Herndon quit the band in order to compete on Star Search.

In 1993, Ty Herndon won 'Texas Entertainer of The Year'.

It was also in 1993 when Ty Herndon signed a recording contract with Epic Records.

 

On Tuesday 18 April 1995, Ty Herndon saw the release of his debut album, 'What Mattered Most' (Epic Records, 1995), which included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:

'What Mattered Most' (written by Gary Burr and Vince Melamed) (No.1 for one week in May / June 1995) / this track won 'Song of The Year' at the annual 'Music Row' Magazine Awards and Ty Herndon was named 'Best New Artist' at the 1995 Country Radio Music Awards

'I Want My Goodbye Back', which was written by Patricia Karen Bunch (Thursday 22 June 1939 - Monday 30 January 2023), Doug Johnson and Dave Berg (No.7, 1995)

'Heart Half Empty' (written by Gary Burr and Desmond Child) (No.21, 1995) / this track, which was a duet with Stephanie Bentley, was also included on Stephanie Bentley's 'Hopechest' (Epic Records, 1996)

'In Your Face', which was written by Annette Cotter and Kim Chadwick Tribble (passed away on Wednesday 25 August 2021) (No.63, 1996)

Ty Herndon's debut album, 'What Mattered Most' (Epic Records, 1995), also included the following tracks:

'Pretty Good Thing' (written by Walt Aldridge and Brad Crisler)
'Summer Was A Bummer', which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 - Thursday 15 July 2010) and Dean Dillon
'You Don't Mess Around With Jim', which was written by Jim Croce (Sunday 10 January 1943 - Thursday 20 September 1973)
'You Just Get One' (written by Vince Gill and Don Schlitz)
'Love At 90 Miles An Hour' (written by Chris Knight, Sam Tate and Annie Tate)
'Hat Full of Rain' (written by Kim Morrison and Ronnie Godfrey)

Personnel involved in the recording of Ty Herndon's debut album, 'What Mattered Most' (Epic Records, 1995), included the following:

Stephanie Bentley (duet vocals, background vocals)
Gary Burr, Carol Chase, Joe Diffie (Sunday 28 December 1958 - Sunday 29 March 2020), Vince Gill, Mike Jones and Patty Loveless (background vocals)
John Catchings, David Davidson, Connie Ellisor, Jim Grosjean, Connie Heard, Kathryn Plumber, Christian Teal and Kristin Wilkinson (strings)
Joe Chemay (bass guitar)
Dan Dugmore (steel guitar)
Paul Franklin (Dobro, steel guitar)
Rob Hajacos (fiddle)
Dann Huff and Kraig Hutchens (electric guitar)
Paul Leim and Lonnie Wilson (drums)
Terry McMillan (Monday 12 October 1953 - Friday 2 February 2007) (percussion)
Steve Nathan (keyboards)
Biff Watson (acoustic guitar)

Ty Herndon's debut album, 'What Mattered Most' (Epic Records, 1995), reached No.9 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1995; in addition, the album had the highest first-day shipment in the history of Epic Records' Nashville division.



On Tuesday 13 August 1996, Ty Herndon saw the release of 'Living In A Moment' (Epic Records, 1996), which included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:

'Living In A Moment', which was written by Patricia Karen Bunch (Thursday 22 June 1939 - Monday 30 January 2023) and Doug Johnson (No.1 for one week in October 1996)

'She Wants To Be Wanted Again' (written by Steven Dale Jones and Billy Henderson) (No.21, 1997)

'Loved Too Much' (written by Don Schlitz and Billy Livsey) (No.2, June 1997)

'I Have To Surrender', which was written by Patricia Karen Bunch (Thursday 22 June 1939 - Monday 30 January 2023) and Doug Johnson (No.17, 1997)

Ty Herndon's 'Living In A Moment' (Epic Records, 1996) also included the following tracks:

'Returning The Faith' (written by Sam Lorber and Thom Hardwell)
'Before There Was You' (written by Tommy Conners and Terry Brown)
'Don't Tell Mama', which was written by Jerry Laseter, Buddy Brock and Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 - Thursday 11 February 2016)
'Her Heart Is Only Human', which was written by Kent Blazy, Steve Dorff and Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 - Thursday 11 February 2016)
'Love Don't Work That Way' (written by Tony Haselden, Stan Munsey and Shane Sutton)
'I Know How The River Feels' (written by Steven Dale Jones and Amy Powers)

Personnel involved in the recording of Ty Herndon's 'Living In A Moment' (Epic Records, 1996) included the following:

Bruce C. Bouton (pedal steel guitar, lap steel guitar)
Joe Chemay (bass guitar)
Larry Franklin (fiddle)
Dann Huff, Brent Rowan and John Willis (electric guitar)
Paul Leim (drums)
Steve Nathan (keyboards)
Tom Roady (percussion)
Biff Watson (acoustic guitar, mandolin)
Stephanie Bentley, Mike Jones, Liana Manis, Blue Miller, Jonell Mosser, John Wesley Ryles, Doug Virden and Drew Womack (background vocals)

Ty Herndon's 'Living In A Moment' (Epic Records, 1996) reached No.6 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1996.



On Tuesday 26 May 1998, Ty Herndon saw the release of 'Big Hopes' (Epic Records, 1998), which was produced by Byron Gallimore and Doug Johnson, and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:

'A Man Holding On (To A Woman Lettin' Go)', which was written by Bobby Taylor, Eugene David Dobbins (Monday 19 March 1934 - Sunday 23 November 2008) and John Ramey (No.5, July 1998)

'It Must Be Love' (written by Craig Bickhardt and Jack Sundrud) (No.1 for one week in December 1998)

'Hands of A Working Man' (written by D. Vincent Williams and Jim Collins) (No.5, May 1999)

Ty Herndon's 'Big Hopes' (Epic Records, 1998) also included the following tracks:

'Big Hopes' (written by Walt Wilkins)
'Big Time Dreamer' (written by Gary Burr and Victoria Shaw)
'Thinkin' With My Heart Again', which was written by Donny Kees, Sanger D. 'Whitey' Shafer (Wednesday 24 October 1934 - Saturday 12 January 2019) and Dean Dillon
'Somewhere A Lover', which was written by Tim Ryan Rouillier and Alex Harvey (Monday 10 March 1947 - Saturday 4 April 2020)
'How Much Can One Man Love You' (written by Gary Burr and Bob DiPiero)
'The Only Way I Know' (written by Gary Burr and Mike Reid)
'No Brakes', which was written by Patricia Karen Bunch (Thursday 22 June 1939 - Monday 30 January 2023) and Shane Teeters
'Tears In God's Eyes', which was written by Skip Ewing, Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 - Thursday 11 February 2016) and Kent Blazy

Personnel involved in the recording of Ty Herndon's 'Big Hopes' (Epic Records, 1998) included the following:

Larry Byrom, Brent Mason, Steve Gibson, Dann Huff and Brent Rowan (electric guitar)
Steven Conn (accordion)
Dan Dugmore, Sonny Garrish and Paul Franklin (steel guitar)
Aubrey Haynie and Larry Franklin (fiddle)
Jeff King, B. James Lowry and Biff Watson (acoustic guitar)
Terry McMillan (Monday 12 October 1953 - Friday 2 February 2007) and Tom Roady (percussion)
Steve Nathan, John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 - Wednesday 12 June 2019) and Steve Nathan (keyboards)
D. Vincent Williams, Curtis Wright, Curtis Young, Mike Jones, Patty Loveless, Blue Miller, Wendell Mobley, Doug Virden and Drew Womack (background vocals)
Lonnie Wilson and Paul Leim (drums)
Glenn Worf and Joe Chemay (bass guitar)

Ty Herndon's 'Big Hopes' (Epic Records, 1998) reached No.22 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1998.



On Tuesday 2 November 1999, Ty Herndon saw the release of 'Steam' (Epic Records, 1999), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:

'Steam' (written by Lewis Anderson and Bob Regan) (No.18, 1999)

'No Mercy' (written by Todd Cerney, Dennis Morgan and Stephen Allen Davis) (No.26, 2000)

'A Love Like That', which was written by Marc Beeson and Don Pfrimmer (Thursday 9 September 1937 - Monday 7 December 2015) (No.58, 2000)

Ty Herndon's 'Steam' (Epic Records, 1999) also included the following tracks:

'Lookin' For The Good Life' (written by Mac McAnally)
'Putting The Brakes On Time' (written by Jon McElroy and Ned McElroy)
'I Can't Do It All' (written by Chuck Jones and Tom Shapiro)
'In A New York Second' (written by Greg Barnhill and Jim Daddario)
'That's What I Call Love' (written by Steve Dean and Danny Orton)
'Pray For Me' (written by Rob Crosby and Allen Shamblin)
'You Can Leave Your Hat On (By The Fans' Request)' (written by Randy Newman) / this track also entered the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart as a result of unsolicited airplay and reached No.72 in 2000

Personnel involved in the recording of Ty Herndon's 'Steam' (Epic Records, 1999) included the following:

Eric Darken (percussion)
Dan Dugmore (steel guitar, Dobro)
Glen Duncan (fiddle, mandolin)
John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 - Wednesday 12 June 2019) (piano, organ, synthesizer)
Paul Leim (drums, percussion)
Chris Leuzinger and Brent Rowan (electric guitar)
Gary Lunn (bass guitar)
Steve Nathan (synthesizer)
Biff Watson (acoustic guitar)
Robert Bailey, Joe Chemay, Lisa Cochran, Tabitha Fair, Kim Fleming, Vicki Hampton, Anthony Martin, Neil Thrasher and Chris Willis (backing vocals)

Additional musicians on 'You Can Leave Your Hat On' (written by Randy Newman)
Mike Haynes (trumpet)
Jim Horn (saxophone)
Kirk 'Jelly Roll' Johnson (harmonica)
Chris McDonald (trombone)

String section on 'Pray For Me' (written by Rob Crosby and Allen Shamblin)
Carl Gorodetzky, Jim Grosjean, Bob Mason and Pamela Sixfin

Ty Herndon's 'Steam' (Epic Records, 1999) reached No.14 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1999.

Ty Herndon was one of American country music’s most consistent radio favourites of the 1990s, receiving an American Music Award nomination in 1997, along with a Contemporary Achievement honour from the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.

In 2001, Ty Herndon saw the release of 'Heather's Wall', a non-album single, which reached No.37 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart, and was produced by Paul Worley.

Although it was Ty Herndon's highest charting single since 'No Mercy' in 2000, its poor chart performance forced Ty Herndon and his record executives to shelve the newly recorded album for which 'Heather's Wall' would have served as lead single.

 

On Tuesday 26 March 2002, Ty Herndon saw the release of 'This Is Ty Herndon: Greatest Hits' (Epic Records, 2002), which included the following tracks:

'What Mattered Most' (written by Gary Burr and Vince Melamed) (No.1 for one week in May / June 1995)

'Living In A Moment', which was written by Patricia Karen Bunch (Thursday 22 June 1939 - Monday 30 January 2023) and Doug Johnson (No.1 for one week in October 1996)

'Steam' (written by Lewis Anderson and Bob Regan) (No.18, 1999)

'It Must Be Love' (written by Craig Bickhardt and Jack Sundrud) (No.1 for one week in December 1998)

'Hands of A Working Man' (written by D. Vincent Williams and Jim Collins) (No.5, May 1999)

'Loved Too Much' (written by Don Schlitz and Billy Livsey) (No.2, June 1997)

'Heart Half Empty' (written by Gary Burr and Desmond Child) (No.21, 1995) / this track, which was a duet with Stephanie Bentley, was also included on Stephanie Bentley's 'Hopechest' (Epic Records, 1996)

'I Want My Goodbye Back', which was written by Patricia Karen Bunch (Thursday 22 June 1939 - Monday 30 January 2023), Doug Johnson and Dave Berg (No.7, 1995)

'A Man Holding On (To A Woman Lettin' Go)', which was written by Bobby Taylor, Eugene David Dobbins (Monday 19 March 1934 - Sunday 23 November 2008) and John Ramey (No.5, July 1998)

'You Can Leave Your Hat On (By The Fans' Request)' (written by Randy Newman) (No.72, 2000)

'If The Road Runs Out' (written by David Frasier, Tom Wurth and Bill Luther) / this track was previously unreleased

'A Few Short Years' (written by Sonny Tillis and Bobby Tomberlin) / this track was previously unreleased

'I'd Move Heaven & Earth' (written by Craig Bickhardt and Jack Sundrud) / this track was previously unreleased

Ty Herndon's 'This Is Ty Herndon: Greatest Hits' (Epic Records, 2002) reached No.32 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 2002.

Following the release of 'This Is Ty Herndon: Greatest Hits' (Epic Records, 2002), Ty Herndon exited Epic Records.



On Tuesday 23 September 2003, Ty Herndon saw the release of 'A Not So Silent Night' (Riviera Records, 2003), which included the following tracks:

'O Come, All Ye Faithful' (short version)
'Silent Night'
'The Little Drummer Boy'
'Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer'
'O, Holy Night'
'Little Town of Bethlehem'
'A Not So Silent Night'
'O Come, O Come, Emanuel'
'Go Tell It On The Mountain'
'O Come, All Ye Faithful' (long version)
'Holdin' Onto Christmas'



On Tuesday 9 January 2007, Ty Herndon saw the release of 'Right About Now' (Titan Records / Pyramid Records / Quarterback Records / Fontana Records, 2007), which included two tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart:

'Right About Now' (written by Darrell Brown and Michael Peterson) / this track was released as a single in 2007, but it did not chart

'Mighty Mighty Love' (written by Darrell Brown, Tim Nichols and Dennis Matkosky) / this track was released as a single in 2007, but it did not chart

Ty Herndon's 'Right About Now' (Titan Records / Pyramid Records / Quarterback Records / Fontana Records, 2007) also included the following tracks:

'Someday Soon' (written by Darrell Brown, Radney Foster and Keith Urban)
'In The Arms of The One Who Loves Me' (written by Darrell Brown, Jess Cates and Arnie Roman)
'You Still Own Me' (written by Phillip Douglas, Noah Gordon and Johnny Reid)
'Love Revival' (written by Marcus Hummon and John Mallory)
'Hide' (written by Kevin Paige and Jess Cates)
'Mercy Line' (written by Darrell Brown and Greg Barnhill)
'We Are' (written by Jim Rushing and Ryan Rushing)
'If I Could Only Have Her Love Back' (written by Darrell Brown and Dennis Matkosky)
'There Will Be A Better Day' (written by Darrell Brown and Beth Nielsen Chapman)

Ty Herndon's 'Right About Now' (Titan Records / Pyramid Records / Quarterback Records / Fontana Records, 2007) reached No.41 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 2007.

Ty Herndon was the first country music artist signed by Titan Pyramid Records, a roster which boasted acts such as The Band, Eric Carmen, Doobie Bros., Dave Edmunds, Stray Cats, Robert Palmer (Wednesday 19 January 1949 - Tuesday 26 September 2003), Joe Walsh, Nik Kershaw, Stephen Stills, and Earth, Wind & Fire.



On Tuesday 23 October 2007, Ty Herndon saw the release of 'A Ty Herndon Christmas' (Titan Records / Pyramid Records, 2007), which included the following tracks:

'O Come, All Ye Faithful' (acapella)
'O Come, All Ye Faithful'
'Go Tell It On The Mountain'
'O Come, O Come, Emmanuel'
'We Three Kings'
'O Little Town of Bethlehem'
'Little Drummer Boy'
'Silent Night'
'Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer'
'O Holy Night'
'A Not So Silent Night'



On Tuesday 8 June 2010, Ty Herndon saw the release of 'Journey On' (FUNL Records, 2010), an album of self-penned Contemporary Christian songs, which included one track, which was released as a single on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart:

'Journey On' (written by Ty Herndon) / this track was released as a single in 2010, but it did not chart

Ty Herndon's 'Journey On' (FUNL Records, 2010) also included the following tracks:

'The Rest of My Life' (written by Ty Herndon)
'Don't Pass Me By' (written by Ty Herndon)
'Today' (written by Ty Herndon)
'Blur The Lines' (written by Ty Herndon)
'Whatever You Need' (written by Ty Herndon)
'I Cried Out' (written by Ty Herndon)
'It All Comes Back To You' (written by Ty Herndon)
'When We Fly' (written by Ty Herndon)
'The Man I am Today' (written by Ty Herndon)
'Journey On' (written by Ty Herndon) (extended play)

In 2010, Ty Herndon received a Grammy Award nomination in the 'Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album' category for 'Journey On' (FUNL Records, 2010).

It was also in 2010 when Ty Herndon received a Dove Award for 'Best Bluegrass Recorded Song' for 'When We Fly' (written by Ty Herndon).

In 2011, Ty Herndon saw the release of 'Stones', a non-album single.



On Tuesday 22 October 2013, Ty Herndon saw the release of 'Lies I Told Myself' (FUNL Records, 2013), which included one track, which was released as a single on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart:

'Lies I Told Myself' / this track was released as a single in 2013, but it did not chart

Ty Herndon's 'Lies I Told Myself' (FUNL Records, 2013) also included the following tracks:

'Beautiful Love Song'
'Sugar'
'I Can't' / this track featured guest vocals from Jamie O'Neal
'Even When She's Gone'
'Slow Moving Memory'
'I Am The Man'
'Whatever This Day Wants To Give Us'
'I'm In Love With You'
'Love Wins'

• Visit Ty Herndon's official site at tyherndon.com
• Like Ty Herndon on Facebook