Country Star Ty Herndon on Addiction, a Suicide Attempt and How Coming Out Saved His Life

When I sit down with Herndon in his Nashville apartment last month, he’s humming and singing hymns. (By the age of 10, he was preaching in church in Alabama.) These are days of joy, and that’s a remarkable turn for the 60-year-old, who’s had a series of high-highs and low-lows since breaking through on country radio. With his debut albumWhat Mattered Mostin 1995, Herndon arrived in the wake ofGarth Brooks,LeAnn RimesandShania Twain, mega artists who were making country music a bigger, and more country-pop, tent.

Country Trio McBride & the Ride on Recording Again for the First Time in 20 Years: 'We All Have the Passion'

It was 2002 when ’90s supergroup McBride & The Ride last recorded an album together. At the time, there was no streaming, no social media and virtually no chance to score a country hit without radio support. “We released our version of The Who song ‘Squeeze Box,’ and they just didn’t think that was the right message to put on the radio at the time,” recalls McBride & The Ride’s Ray Herndon, 62, to PEOPLE.

Country Trio Midland Opens Up About Their Brand of Sexy, Throwback 'Bad Boyness'

Midlandis paving a path all their own. In a newPOLLSTARinterview published on Monday, the country trio — comprised of lead vocalist Mark Wystrach, guitarist Jess Carson and bass guitarist Cameron Duddy — opened up about building a career on the road (despite earning two Grammy nominations for their debut single “Drinkin' Problem”) and separating themselves from the pack. “We wanted to create a business out of touring,” Duddy said. “We like to play for people, and we felt we have more than No.

Country Trio Midland Says Dennis Quaid Wanted to Do All His Own Stunts in 'Mr. Lonely' Video

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Country Trio Midland Says New Album 'The Last Resort: Greetings From' 'Feels Like an Evolution of Sorts'

Midland.Photo: Harper Smith Coming off a week that included an emotionally electrifying performance at the Stagecoach Festival, the country music trioMidlandhave much in front of them, including the kickoff for their European tour and the release of their third full-length studio albumThe Last Resort: Greetings From. So, it’s no surprise they aren’t really in the mood to look back. “Yeah, COVID did a number on me… but I’m back better than ever,” Midland guitarist/vocalist Jess Carson, 42, says with a shrug during a recent interview with PEOPLE from a rooftop bar overlooking the Hollywood Hills.