Country Star Ty Herndon Talks Coming Out (and His New Album)

In November of 2014, Ty Herndon became the first major male country artist to publicly come out as gay. Since coming out, Recently the Grammy-nominated and Dove-award winning performer released "House on Fire," his most ambitious album to date in which he wrote seven of the 12 songs.

With the album, Herndon has made some of the most engaging, meaningful and fulfilling music of his career. Featuring Herndon's powerful trademark vocals, the new album is already receiving critical accolades from the Nashville music community and showcases a deeper, greater strength from a man who has been there and back and has lived to tell about it.

EDGE spoke to Herndon about the album, his career and being an out country star.

In a rare position

EDGE: Is it possible to be a successful gay country singer?

Ty Herndon: I am in a very rare position in my career right now and one that I am grateful for. 'House On Fire' is my first major release since coming out. So far, the CD is doing great. I am still navigating the waters, but I believe that I and any other country singer who comes out can be successful.

EDGE: Since coming out almost two years ago, how has your life changed?

Ty Herndon: Personally, it has been great. Making the announcement was like getting a Santa Claus bag of bricks off my back. I am the most authentic person that I have ever been in my entire life. After I came out, I didn't think that I would have a career anymore. I was doing a show and I remember walking out on stage not knowing how the audience was going to react and to my surprise, I was met with applause and a standing ovation.

A new sound?

EDGE: Why do you think it is still a big deal when a celebrity comes out?

Ty Herndon: In certain parts of the world, it definitely still a big deal. I think a lot of what makes it a big deal is that there are so many different generations out there. For the older generations, they are holding on to the past. We need to continue to change the hearts and minds of others. We are not broken; we all are creations of God.

EDGE: How has your music and your sound changed since coming out?

Ty Herndon: It really hasn't changed much. What has changed is time. The longer you are in the industry, you have to continue to look for new ways to keep relevant to your fans. With 'House On Fire,' I am using new a sound and new technology.

EDGE: How excited are you about having your new album 'House on Fire' released?

Ty Herndon: I am super excited! It is a very personal album for me and I can't wait for everyone to hear it. It has been a long time coming. It has also allowed me to gain more fans in the LGBT community, which is amazing.

Finding hope

EDGE: What's the story behind the song 'House on Fire?'

Ty Herndon: I grew up in a very religious and Southern family. I started singing in tent revivals when I was a little boy. I remember being 10 years old and at a revival and the preacher was preaching against homosexuality. He said they would burn in hell and were broken and needed to be fixed. Knowing that I was gay, I lost sight of my dreams and became broken. The song 'House on Fire,' is about that experience.

EDGE: What is your favorite song on the album?

Ty Herndon: [He laughs] That is like asking to choose a favorite kid. Don't tell the others, but if you are making me choose it would be 'Fighter,' because out of all the songs, it represents me the most. I had to fight for my place in this world and for my place in country music.

EDGE: What message do you want listeners to take away from 'House on Fire?'

Ty Herndon: Be the best you can be. All the songs are gender neutral, so it gives the listener the ability to put their life and story into each song. I also hope that my fans will find a lot of hope, truth, and love in the songs.

For more information about Ty Herndon and to order his new CD "House On Fire," visit his website.