Nashville-native Mitchell Tenpenny has made his mark as a platinum-selling recording artist, multi-talented entertainer and acclaimed songwriter. But at the heart of his success is a deep appreciation for his roots and the people who shaped him into the artist and man he is today.
No stranger to the country music scene, he grew up surrounded by the industry with deep roots in music that stretch back to his childhood. Tenpenny’s grandmother, Donna Hilley, notably served as the CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing until her retirement in 2005. “I got to see, in my opinion, the best songwriters in the world — and everyone from Brooks and Dunn to Taylor Swift at the time,” Tenpenny recalls. But more than anything, it was his parent’s unwavering support that gave him the confidence to fully pursue his dreams.
“My dad would take me to shows back in the day. They never turned me away from [the opportunity to chase the dream of being a musician]. I just wanted to say thanks to dad… thanks for trusting me with this name and giving me the opportunity to do what I love to do,” he says. “I just want to say thank you for believing in your son.”
After signing a publishing deal with Sony/ATV in 2014 and releasing his debut album Black Crow the following year, Tenpenny’s career rapidly gained momentum. By 2016, his songwriting breakthrough came with his credits on Granger Smith’s hit, “If the Boot Fits.” From there, he continued to build a name for himself as a singer, eventually earning recognition for hits like “Drunk Me” and “Truth About You.” With over 2.3 billion global streams and a growing fanbase, Tenpenny’s story is one of continuous growth – both personal and professional. With his third album, appropriately titled The 3rd, Tenpenny delivers his most personal work yet through a heartfelt tribute to his late father.
Released last September, The 3rd not only refers to his own name — James Mitchell Tenpenny III — but also honors both his father and grandfather. “As it is my third record… and as you do this longer and longer, you just realize how grateful you are for how you were raised,” Tenpenny says. The singer’s goal with the LP was to bring an authentic feel that placed the listener in the room with him. “I want people to believe what they’re hearing and put themselves in that scenario and feel like they’re not alone,” he says.
Beyond the deep ties to his family’s legacy apparent throughout his music, his commitment to honoring them extends beyond sound waves. After losing his father, James Mitchell Tenpenny Jr., to a rare form of cancer in 2014 and witnessing both his mother and aunt’s battles with cancer, he felt compelled to try and make a difference.
Founded in 2018, The 10Penny Fund aims to offer support to cancer patients and their families. “It started [with] losing my dad to cancer and my aunt going through it,” Tenpenny explains. “My mom is in remission right now, thank the Lord.” Often overlooked in cancer treatment is the effects it has on one’s mental health, which became a key focus of the fund. “I wanted to do something that I saw wasn’t being focused on a lot when it comes to cancer treatments, and that’s the mental health side of it,” he explains. “When your stress levels are low, when you prepare yourself for battle, when you have someone to talk to, you feel like you’re not alone… it tremendously increases your chance of success.”
To see the complete article, read the full issue online or purchase a print copy while supplies last.
Keep up with Mitchell Tenpenny: Instagram // TikTok // Facebook // X // Spotify // YouTube
