SOUNDBOARD, Hosted by Ty Herndon, Features Conversations with High Profile Artists
and Influencers As They Discuss Struggles and Wins in Mental Fitness Journeys
(Nashville, TN – November 17, 2022) Former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry is speaking out about substance abuse, which took the life of her son, Max, in an exclusive interview with Ty Herndon on SOUNDBOARD, a Pivotal Moments production. In the intimate conversation, Barry and Herndon discuss confronting shame, battling crisis, and finding joy through heartbreak. The episode is now available to watch and stream here.
Barry opens the conversation by stating, “You can make some serious mistakes in your life, and still come through with joy and light.” The two connect on a personal level discussing the mistakes they, or those close to them have made, surrounding substance abuse in order to educate, “other parents and other family members to understand that there is stuff that you can do [when it comes to the battle of addiction],” Barry states. Barry addresses the tragedy that took her son and her career, but through the chaos how she was able to push forward and salvage her marriage. Now she wants to leverage her experience to help others rebuild their lives and save others.
With the future in mind with her husband, Barry updates listeners about her forthcoming memoir titled What You Do Next, set for publication in 2024. Both Herndon and Barry agree that mistakes do not define a person. “You get to own everything you did. It’s not about giving you a free pass. It’s about acknowledging what you did, owning it, and realizing what defines you is what you do next,” says Barry.
Listeners may find previous episodes of SOUNDBOARD with guests like CMT’s Cody Alan, Grammy-award winning country artist LeAnn Rimes, Grammy-nominated, Dove Award-Winning singer-songwriter Crystal Lewis, Hitmaker singer/songwriter, Michael Ray, rising viral pop sensation, Auti, and more here.
About Ty Herndon: Herndon burst onto the scene and made his chart debut in 1995 with “What Mattered Most,” which became his first No. 1 song and garnered a Song of the Year award (Music Row Magazine). It was also the title track to his first album, which debuted on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart and had the biggest first-week shipment in the history of Epic Records Nashville.
Between 1995 and 2002, Herndon charted 17 singles, including his three No.1s and numerous top 10 hits, such as “I Want My Goodbye Back,” “Loved Too Much,” “A Man Holding On,” and “Hands of a Working Man.” He topped the charts in 1996 with the single “Living in a Moment” and again in 1998 with “It Must Be Love.”
In 2014, Herndon became the first major male country artist to publicly come out as gay in an exclusive with People magazine. He received an outpouring of support that only strengthened his relationship with fans and the country music community, expanding his reach to new and diverse audiences. Shortly after, he made history when he hosted a first-of-its-kind country music event, The Concert for Love and Acceptance, now an annual event that provides a stage for LGBTQ and allied artists. In 2020, he created the Foundation For Love & Acceptance to further his work on behalf of LGBTQ youth.
Herndon found himself back at No. 1 in 2020 — this time on iTunes with his remake of “Orphans of God,” a collaboration with Kristin Chenoweth and Paul Cardall featured on his holiday release, Regifted. Over the last year, he has been working on the new album, JACOB, his first of all-new music since 2016’s House On Fire.
Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning, Herndon’s voice is stronger than ever, and he’s using it to make a difference. In addition to his own foundation, Herndon lends his time and talent to MusiCares, which has supported Herndon through his struggles and supports those in the music industry with a safety net of services. In 2022, he joined Pivotal Moments Media as a Brand Ambassador and as the first artist signed to the organization’s new record label, Pivotal Records. For more information on Ty Herndon, please visit TyHerndon.com, and follow him on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
About Megan Barry: Megan Barry is the former mayor of Nashville, TN, the first woman to be elected to the office. While she was in office, she lost her only son, Max, to a drug overdose. Since leaving her position, Barry is working to combat the shame and guilt that comes from this soul-sucking disease and to help those who struggle with substance use disorder and their loved ones by speaking up and speaking out.
She has shared her story in numerous podcasts and publications including Elle magazine, TOKENS Podcast, Nashville Edit, and arcHive Nashville. Her professional experience includes working as a corporate executive, as an independent consultant focusing on business ethics and corporate responsibility, and as an adjunct professor.
She has an MBA from Vanderbilt University and currently serves on the board of H.A.R.T and the Women’s Fund for the Community Foundation. She has served on several boards including the YWCA of Middle TN and the Center for Nonprofit Management. She has been an invited speaker for numerous organizations and events including TedX Nashville, the International Women’s Forum, Georgia Pacific, National Overdose Awareness Days, and many others.
About Pivotal Moments Media:
Pivotal Moments Media recognizes that many people do not get the information and education to identify and cope with mental health issues early enough. Recent health reports indicate that we live in an unprecedented mental health crisis, and our youth are especially affected (HHS). The PMM platform will curate and produce education and entertainment through its website, film, music, and other avenues with resources to encourage mental fitness. Instagram / Twitter / LinkedIn / Website.
