Mitchell Tenpenny Explores Legacy and the Future With Eclectic Third Album, The 3rd

James Mitchell Tenpenny III is an artist better known as Platinum-selling country sensation and New Artist of the Year nominee Mitchell Tenpenny, and his newly released album, The 3rd, is aptly titled for more reasons than one.

Mitchell has one of our favorite voices in the country business, and his third studio album gets its name from the father and grandfather who shared a name before also bestowing it upon him. It's a sprawling and eclectic project consisting of 20 tracks and featuring some unexpected collaborations, feeling like a perfect encapsulation of Mitchell's talents and influences up to this point in time.

It's also an exciting time for Mitchell overall. He was recently nominated for New Artist of the Year for the 58th annual CMA Awards in November, and
he's currently headlining the Woke Up in a Dream Tour, which kicked off last week in Las Vegas, supported by The Castellows and Dylan Schneider, with shows into November. Mitchell was gracious enough to take the time out of his busy schedule to answer our most burning questions about the album in the interview below.

Sweety High: What does the album title The 3rd mean to you? Why did that title opening track feel like the perfect summation of this group of songs?

Mitchell Tenpenny: I am James Mitchell Tenpenny the 3rd. It's a little weird singing my name in a song, but I think about how I got my name a lot, since both my grandfather and father have passed on. If I do have a son, will he be the 4th? I'm not sure, but now that I am married it's definitely something that's right in front of me. This song definitely stood out as the title track an everything fell into place after that.

 

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SH: What do you feel are the overarching themes of the album? How is your identity tied up in the concept for the album, and what kind of feel do you hope fans take away from it?

MT: I think this album perfectly reflects all the sides of me and all my influences. I want everyone to find something for themselves in these songs and themes as I feel it just encapsulates everything I've done and all the genres I've loved.

(The 3rd via Riser House)

 

SH: How would you describe the album's sound? Production-wise, how did you go about bringing these tracks to life?

MT: I wanted this album to be all over the place because my taste in music is all over the place. I was able to pull from all kinds of music that has influenced me over the years. I have always been the biggest fan of Underoath and I asked to write with them and it turned into one of the best tracks on the record. And now I can call them friends. I have long been a fan of Colbie Caillat, and she accepted the invitation to sing on "Guess We'll Never Know," and she made time in her schedule to shoot a video for it as well. I am often uncomfortable approaching other artists to do stuff because I know how busy everyone's lives are, so when they reciprocate with a yes, it so amazing.

 

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How do you feel that these songs represent where you are in life right now?

MT: I think I've been at this long enough to have a real comfort level in knowing who I am and what I want my music to represent. I love that I grow with each record. I have even found a way to take hurts in my past and turn them into songs that other people can find themselves in.

(Photo credit: Zach Pigg)

 

SH: What is your favorite song on the album? Why?

MT: "Started Stoppin." "During the writing session someone said the phrase "started stoppin" and it became our hook. It almost wrote itself. I think Chase [McGill] came up with the best line in the song, "You quit loving me seven months ago. Last night I slept all night, that's one night in a row." That line describes that feeling that you're finally getting over them. I did it. I passed that mark and got over the hump. And then something happens that reminds you of them. I love how the song grooves with the bass and drums. It all came together lyrically and sonically. It's one of my favorite songs I've ever done.

 

SH: How do you think you've evolved as an artist since This Is the Heavy?

MT: I think I've evolved with every album. You have more experience, more live shows, more songwriting sessions. You hone your craft every day so the goal would be to grow and keep growing.

(Photo credit: Zach Pigg)

 

For more interviews with great artists on their newest music, click HERE to hear from DJ and producer Hayden James on his latest album, We Could Be Love.