Tenpenny tells all

This is the Heavy

Mitchell Tenpenny calls his album "This is The Heavy" because "it's big. It's loud. It's in your face and drum heavy," he said. In contrast that is not at all how one would describe most country music. Thus, Tenpenny's lengthy album (a whole 20 tracks!) is country-associated, at best. The song titles, at least, read like country songs, including "More Than Whiskey Does," "Good And Gone" and "Good Place." The latter finds ...

Naughty House

One big clue that Mitchell Tenpenny's "Naughty List" holiday collection is a winner, is how spontaneous and rocking is his version of "Jingle Bell Rock." He doesn't just repeat the Bobby Helms original, but instead makes it all his own. Then again, with a distinctive voice like his, he puts his personal stamp on everything. He rocks out even more during "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town," even though that one also includes upfront banjo picking. ...

Neon Christmas EP

If all you know about Mitchell Tenpenny is "Alcohol You Later," you may be unprepared for a few of the Christmas present surprises on his "Neon Christmas" EP. Granted, "Snow Angels" is a little too pop for its own good. However, the acoustic guitar-picked subtlety of "O Holy Night" is truly sweet, while the steel guitar-soaked "Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!" is the exact right winter setting for Tenpenny's vocal vibrato. ...