Latasha Everson/The Tifton Gazette
CNHI
TIFTON —
A well-known musical artist, singer/entertainer to the Tifton community has recently released a song that has climbed its way to the very top of the Indie World Country Chart.
Todd Allen Herendeen’s first radio release, “My Name is America,” has become one of the most popular songs, making it the No. 1 independent country song in America on the Straight Arrow label.
Herendeen said this news for him and his Follow that Dream Band was very exciting.
“The first chart of the year, we started out the New Year’s with a No. 1 song,” Herendeen stated. “I never dreamed of having a song being No. 1.”
Herendeen advised Tuesday on the phone that since releasing “My Name is America” last fall, they have been busy traveling on the road. He stated that they are currently south of Orlando, Fla.
He said, “We’re doing a lot of traveling by request to sing the song, and we’re also out promoting the song.”
He noted that they have been busy nonstop since October, stating with a chuckle, “Those are good complaints.”
According to an emailed press release, “My Name is America” was written by Kurt Orning. It further states, “The song is a powerful patriotic anthem that speaks to the heart of America. Though certainly a proud American song, other countries have seen tremendous response to it also. As well as the Indie World Chart, ‘My Name is America’ has broken into some other charts as well, including the majors.”
As of Jan. 6, “My Name is America” sits at No. 31 on the New Music Weekly chart, No. 21 on the New Music Weekly Indie Chart and No. 179 on the Music Row Chart, according to the press release. It is also being added to the playlists of Top 40-charting stations.
Herendeen said the message behind the song is: “If the Statute of Liberty could speak, what would she say? It’s kind of like putting the words in her mouth; it’s about America.”
Herendeen also shows his patriotism by wearing red, white and blue clothing. He stated, “I like to show my patriotism to the country. Not everyone agrees with what goes on in this country, but they have to agree that it’s still the greatest country in the world to live in.”
Herendeen said he has performed in Tifton approximately seven to 10 times and he plans on returning in November around Veterans Day to perform “My Name is America.” He advised that the song is also for the troops as a way to thank them. He noted that he’s working on a way to sing to the troops to say “thank you for signing up and defending us.”
Herendeen advised to his Tifton fans, “Thank you to Tifton and surrounding counties for following us and cheering us on.”
Herendeen described his and FTB style of music as “a country tribute to legends.”
To download “My Name is America” and for additional information, visit www.mynameisamerica.us or www.toddallenherendeen.com.
To contact reporter Latasha Everson, call 382-4321.
