Ty Herndon Bares His Soul In Upcoming New Memoir, ‘What Mattered Most’

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Ty Herndon. Photo: Jeremy Ryan

Ty Herndon is opening his heart and pulling back the curtains on his life and career in his candid brand new memoir, What Mattered Most, set for release March 31 on Dey Street Books.

With unflinching honesty, Herndon shares his addiction and mental health struggles, the groundbreaking decision to become the first openly gay male country star, and the resilience it took to endure more than three decades in the music industry in the new book. Woven throughout his story are moments of his trademark humor, warmth and hard-earned wisdom, offering readers a tale not just of survival, but about choosing hope, authenticity and love against all odds.

“This book is my heart on the page,” explains Herndon. “This book is about the boy I was, the man I became, and the grace that carried me through it all. I hope my story reminds someone out there that they’re never alone, and that there’s always a way forward. Life has a way of knocking you down, but it also gives you a million reasons to get back up. What Mattered Most is my story of falling, rising, and finding purpose in the journey. If this book inspires even one person to keep going, then I’ve done my job.”

Herndon launched his career at the Opryland theme park as a member of The Tennessee River Boys, the group that would later evolve into hitmakers Diamond Rio. After signing with Epic Records, Herndon skyrocketed to solo fame in 1995 with the chart-topping single “What Mattered Most,” the first of his 17 Billboard charting hits. Yet behind the scenes, he was confronting addiction, mental health struggles, and the weight of hiding his true self in a traditionally conservative industry, His path wound through an arrest, marriages, lawsuits, secret relationships and a devastating relapse in 2020.

The breaking point came on New Year’s Day 2021, when Herndon nearly ended his life—a moment that led to intensive rehab and the chance to confront and release the traumas that had haunted him for decades. Out of those darkest hours emerged a renewed sense of purpose, first expressed in his most personal song, “God or the Gun,” and now revealed with uncompromising honesty and depth in his memoir. In the book, Herndon offers not only a window into his private battles, but also a story of resilience, redemption, and the hard-won healing that comes from choosing to live—and to live authentically.

“For thirty years, I’ve told pieces of my story through my music and my words — but this book has given me the chance to tell the whole truth,” adds Herndon. “This book isn’t just about the music; it’s about the journey, the struggles, the faith, and the people who shaped my life. I hope readers walk away knowing that no matter where you’ve been, you can still write a new chapter — and that’s what matters most.”

Lorie Hollabaugh
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