Ty Herndon’s “What Mattered Most” Turns 30: A Look Back and What’s Next
Country star teams up with LeAnn Rimes for a powerful new version of his signature hit.
Written by Amanda Tempel
1995 was a wildcard year for country music. The surge of the “Hot New Country” era brought a flood of fresh talent, and with so many new acts vying for attention, standing out required more than just a good look or a lucky break, you needed a song strong enough to make a real impact on radio. Every now and then, a track comes along with enough staying power and stands the test of time.
Ty Herndon, a then 32-year-old, signed with Epic Records, released his first single “What Mattered Most” on January 30, 1995. The song debuted at number 62 on the charts, becoming the week’s second-highest premiering single, right behind “Refried Dreams” from Tim McGraw.
A music video for the song would be added to CMT and TNN in early February. Award-winning director Steven Goldmann directed the video, while Ivy Dane Gabbay directed the photography in Galveston, Texas.
“What Mattered Most” made a steady climb up the Billboard Country Airplay chart, breaking into the top twenty within just eight weeks. When Ty Herndon’s debut album of the same name was released on April 18, 1995, it entered the charts at number fifteen. The opening sales figures made it the best-selling debut album by a male country artist since Billy Ray Cyrus’ Some Gave All took the genre by storm in 1992.
The album climbed to the number one spot on the Billboard Heatseekers chart, marking a major milestone for a breakout artist. Ty Herndon’s rapid rise was soon spotlighted on the cover of the industry’s leading publication, Billboard. In a front-page story dated May 20, 1995, industry insiders broke down the momentum behind his early success.
“Rarely will you find such a confident album from a debut artist,” a radio programmer in Houston stated. Another radio executive in Indianapolis shared, “We had him in concert in a club that normally brings 200, and 1,000 people showed up. This is the most we’ve ever had for a newcomer who has one record on the charts.” The buzz around Ty Herndon was undeniable, with both industry insiders and fans responding to his breakout moment.
Fan Fair 1995 takes place and Ty is one of the acts that fans flock to see. He was a part of a lineup that included his fellow labelmates Stacy Dean Campbell, Joe Diffie, Wade Hayes, James House, Patty Loveless, Ken Mellons, Collin Raye, Larry Stewart, Doug Stone, and Rick Trevino.
“What Mattered Most” reached the number one position on the Billboard Country Airplay chart on on May 27, 1995. Here’s a look back at the top ten from that week:
Ty Herndon - “What Mattered Most”
John Berry - “Standing on the Edge of Goodbye”
Clint Black - “Summer’s Comin’”
George Strait - “Adalida”
Toby Keith - “You Ain’t Much Fun”
Mark Chesnutt - “Gonna Get a Life”
Sawyer Brown - “I Don’t Believe In Goodbye”
Hal Ketchum - “Stay Forever”
Alison Krauss & Union Station - “When You Say Nothing At All”
John Michael Montgomery – “I Can Love You Like That”
While Ty’s career was taking off, country radio was in limbo. Radio stations were hit with more music than ever – from heritage acts, superstars, and emerging artists. Labels slowly began to rethink their marketing strategies. That meant less acts were being signed to record deals, budgets were cut for music videos, and songs no longer climbed the charts as quickly. Breaking a new artist meant that acts needed to establish an identity with country fans.
But Ty Herndon wasn’t just your typical new recording artist. He had spent years performing and he knew the importance of a song.
In 1995, Ty told Billboard magazine, “A goal of mine, any time I record a song, is that the song has to be something I lived or can really relate to. If it wasn’t, how in the world would people believe what I’m singing about?”
By the end of 1995, Ty Herndon ranked as the third top new artist in country music, trailing only David Lee Murphy and the year’s top act, Wade Hayes. Rounding out the top ten were Bryan White, Kenny Chesney, Perfect Stranger, Rhett Akins, Jeff Carson, Terri Clark, and Ty England, in that order.
“What Mattered Most, ” written by Gary Burr and Vince Melamed, would become the eighteenth most-played country single of 1995.
Ty Herndon and LeAnn Rimes Team Up for Re-Imagined Version
To commemorate the 30th anniversary of “What Mattered Most,” Ty Herndon recorded a new version of the song with his longtime friend, LeAnn Rimes.
“Recording this song with LeAnn was nothing short of magical,” said Herndon. “She and I go back three decades - we were touring together in the '90s when her career exploded and she used to come out on stage and sing this song with me. So all these years later, re-recording it as a duet, was a full-circle moment I’ll never forget. Her voice brings depth and beauty to the song, which is breathtaking. We’ve both lived a lot of life since then, and I think you can hear that in every note.”
Plans are in place for even more new music! Ty Herndon’s upcoming album, Thirty, will showcase reimagined versions of his biggest hits, featuring fresh interpretations and collaborations with an all-star lineup of special guests. The album will be released through Club44 Records, a Nashville-based label known for its commitment to vocal excellence and genre-crossing artistry. The country star has inked a 3-album deal with the label - expect the track listing and collaborators to be announced this summer.
For Ty Herndon’s latest tour dates, visit his website. Listen to “What Mattered Most” featuring LeAnn Rimes on your favorite streaming platform.
Sources: Billboard Magazine - May 20, 1995, December 31, 1995
Across The Country With Amanda
Listen to Across The Country With Amanda, a weekly syndicated radio program featuring the legends you love, and the best in today’s country! Hear exclusive interviews and get the latest country music news. Find a station near you here.
Country Music News
Listen to the Podcast
Jon Pardi’s stop at the Ford Center on July 27 delivered two hours of career-spanning hits.