Music & Concerts
New Ty Herndon album is mixed bag
Out country star covers himself and others on uneven new project
It’s been 24 years since the twangy country hit “What Mattered Most” stormed the country charts with its iconic chorus about a blue-eyed Louisiana girl. Like the best ‘90s country music artists, Ty Herndon had a number of songs about broken-hearted men thinking about lost loves.
But nearly two decades after the release of his debut album, Herndon became one of the first openly gay country music stars, coming out in a 2014 interview with People Magazine. And his new album, the rightfully named “Got It Covered,” features re-releases of his biggest country hits from the ‘90s, as well as covers of the likes of Bonnie Raitt and Carrie Underwood. In many ways, the album allows for a reappraisal of his earlier hits, particularly “What Matters Most,” which has been refitted with new pronouns.
After a consistent series of hits in the mid-to-late ‘90s, Herndon became largely absent from the country music spotlight after his 1999 record “Steam,” not unlike many others artists who had a harder time connecting with audiences after the turn of the millennium.
“Got It Covered” is largely an effort to return to those roots, and perhaps, to transplant them to more contemporary soil. But there is a something more than slightly disturbing about trying to relive one’s musical past in this way. We generally expect covers to add something new to an old song, but for Herndon, the new versions of his older songs have lost part of their soul in the process.
The most touching new version is his updated “What Mattered Most.” The chorus of the alternate version on the new album has changed the Louisiana girl into a boy: “His eyes are blue, his hair is long/In ’64 he was born in Baton Rouge.” It’s incredible to think about the journey that such a song has been on, as indicated by the difference between the 1995 version on his “What Mattered Most” album and new recording. But at the same time, the softer, more nasal vocals and classic sounding ‘90s instrumentation have disappeared, covered up by heavier sound, dominated by electric guitar.
Take “I Need to Be Loved Too Much” from his 1997 album “Living in a Moment.” The new version reproduces the same song structure without the classic instrumentation — Herndon sent the fiddles packing for his new recordings. And gone is the nasal vocal quality that Herndon and male country singers of the ‘90s shared to a lesser degree with John Anderson, whose classic 1991 “Straight Tequila Night” serves as a prime example.
The problem is not the quality of Herndon’s catalogue, but rather the raison d’être of an album that re-records his greatest hits with no real change other than updated instrumentation, with the exception of the lyrics of “What Mattered Most.” If anything, the new album makes ‘90s originals stand taller, as good representatives of a particular moment in country music.
Among the covers of songs by other artists, Herndon has a version of Bonnie Raitt’s 1991 classic “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” It’s impossible not to enjoy the song, but it’s unclear what Herndon adds with his recording. George Michael offers a version that differs from Raitt’s on his 1998 “Ladies and Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael.” It’s smoother and sexier. Nor is this simply question of genre. Justin Vernon, of the folk pop group Bon Iver, recorded a cover of the song with over 40 million views on YouTube, sung in his signature falsetto, that breathed new life into the classic.
The best cover is of “So Small,” recorded by Carrie Underwood on her 2007 album “Carnival Ride.” Although it’s impossible to top Underwood vocally, Herndon’s version in his (not so twangy anymore) baritone works surprisingly well.
Gay country music fans are lucky to have someone like Herndon on a scene and he has solid lineup of classics under his belt. But perhaps it’s better for someone of his stature to forge ahead, rather than revisit the past.
Aussie pop icon Kylie Minogue brings her acclaimed “Tension” world tour to D.C. next Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Capital One Arena. Tickets are still available at Ticketmaster.
The show features songs spanning her long career, from 1987 debut single, “The Loco-Motion,” to “Padam, Padam” from her album, “Tension.”
Music & Concerts
Busy season for live music in D.C.
Erivo, Kylie, Sivan, and more headed our way this spring
One sure sign of spring’s arrival is the fresh wave of live music coming to Washington. With more than 10 venues and a diverse lineup of artists, the city offers no shortage of live performances for the new season.
In addition to this impressive list, don’t forget the many artists coming to town for WorldPride, May 17-June 8. In addition to headliner Cynthia Erivo performing on Saturday, June 7 at the two-day street festival and concert, many other performers will be in town. Jennifer Lopez, Troye Sivan, and RuPaul are among the featured performers at the WorldPride Music Festival at the RFK Festival Grounds, June 6-7. Visit WorldPrideDC.org for a list of other performers.
MARCH
Grammy and Emmy Award-winning Mary J. Blige will take the stage at Capital One Arena on March 26 for her For My Fans tour. Two days later, on March 28, J Balvin will also perform at Capital One Arena for his Back to the Rayo tour.
The Lincoln Theatre will host the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington for three performances—one on March 15 and two on March 16.
If dance parties are more your vibe, you’re in luck. DC9 is hosting a series of themed dance parties this month, starting with Poker Face: 2000s + Dance Party on March 14, the ever-popular Peach Pit ’90s dance party on March 15, H.O.T.S.: A Sapphic Dance Party on March 22, and RageRiot!—a burlesque and drag revue featuring a lineup of local drag kings, queens, and everything in between on March 29.
APRIL
Australian queen of pop Kylie Minogue will bring her Tension tour to Capital One Arena on April 8, with British dance artist Romy as her special guest.
Indie singer-songwriter mxmtoon will stop in D.C. for their Liminal Space tour on April 4 at the 9:30 club, followed by indie rock band Gossip on April 5. The 9:30 club will also host two dance parties in April: Gimme Gimme Disco – a dance party inspired by ABBA on April 11 and Broadway Rave on April 18.
The Atlantis will feature Brooklyn-based indie rock band Pom Pom Squad on April 2.
Comedy duo Two Dykes and a Mic will bring their Going Hog Wild tour to the Howard Theatre on April 19.
DC9 has two dance parties lined up this month: Bimbo Night on April 4, hosted by Baltimore’s “premier red-tattooed Filipina diva” Beth Amphetamine, and Aqua Girls: A QTBIPOC Dance Party on April 5, celebrating “queer transcendence through music, movement, and community.”
The Anthem will welcome a lineup of big names in April, starting with Alessia Cara on April 8. Lucy Dacus will take the stage on April 18 and 19 for her Forever Is a Feeling tour, while funky pop artist Remi Wolf will headline on April 27, joined by special guests Dana and Alden.
MAY
Indie-pop artist Miya Folick will bring her Erotica Veronica tour to The Atlantis on May 1, followed by multi-genre musician SASAMI on May 2. Pop artist Snow Wife will close out the month at The Atlantis on May 31 as part of an official WorldPride 2025 event.
Queer rock band Lambrini Girls will perform at the Howard Theatre on May 4, while rock trio L.A. Witch will take the stage at DC9 on May 12.
Union Stage will feature Rachel Platten on May 3 for her Set Me Free tour, followed by Femme Fatale: A Queer Dance Party later that night.
The popular DJ festival Project Glow will return to RFK Stadium grounds on May 31 and June 1.
JUNE
Pride month kicks off with “RuPaul’s Drag Race” star Trixie Mattel, who will perform at Echostage on June 3 as part of a series of official WorldPride 2025 events.
Queer icons Grace Jones & Janelle Monáe will take over The Anthem on June 5 for a WorldPride 2025 event performance.
Perfume Genius will bring his signature sound to the 9:30 club on June 7 as part of WorldPride 2025 festivities. Later in the month, Blondshell will hit the 9:30 club for her If You Asked for a Tour on June 24.
Music & Concerts
Pride concert to take place at Strathmore after Kennedy Center rescinds invitation
International Pride Orchestra ‘heartbroken’ event ‘would no longer be welcome’ at DC venue
The International Pride Orchestra has announced its Pride concert will take place at the Strathmore Music Center on June 5 after the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts disinvited the group.
Since President Donald Trump took over the Kennedy Center during his first month in office, LGBTQ events and performances have been banned with community allies withdrawing in solidarity.
The Kennedy Center has cancelled “A Peacock Among Pigeons: Celebrating 50 Years of Pride,” a May 21 concert that was to feature the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C. The International Pride Orchestra on Monday said its concert will now take place at the Strathmore.
“We were heartbroken when we learned that our concert would no longer be welcome at the Kennedy Center,” said International Pride Orchestra Founding Artistic Director Michael Roest in a statement released by the orchestra’s media page. “The Kennedy Center has long been a symbol of artistic excellence, inclusivity, and freedom of expression. However, we are profoundly grateful to the Strathmore Music Center for opening their doors to us. Their willingness to host our Pride Celebration Concert ensures that our message of love, pride, and resilience will be heard on the doorstep of the nation’s capital.”
The Pride concert is among the events that have faced uncertainty since the Trump-Vance administration took office on Jan. 20. Many, however, are fighting back and looking for ways to push back against the bans and cancellations.
“We aim to create a powerful and positive representation of the queer community through music,” said Roest. “We want to show the world who we are, celebrate our queer identities, and amplify the work of organizations that support the LGBTQ+ community.”
WorldPride is scheduled to take place in D.C. from May 17-June 8.
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