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NASHVILLE, TN (August 11, 2026) -- Boot scootin' is coming back to country music with the fall release of new original music from Kenyon Lockry. The country traditionalist, first introduced to fans by the legendary Hall of Fame star Mel Tillis, has embraced the fiddle and steel guitar on a fresh take on the 90s country vibe for a dozen self-penned songs. "Further Than California" is set for release this October. The title track will be the first single to radio this fall.
Kenyon shares, “Making Further Than California was a real bucket-list thing for me. I always dreamed that when I could afford it, I’d bring my whole family to Nashville, put them up in a nice hotel, and go record an album. It was a blast — I even recorded at County Q, the same studio where I cut my first demo that got Mel’s attention. On 16th Avenue. It felt like Eddie Arnold or Jim Reeves — surreal. "
That treasured family experience is what this project is all about. The storytelling and music flow effortlessly on songs dedicated to his wife Jenni and their family. One thing is for sure, this collection is definitely not a "one sound" monotonous collection of music. Lockry includes a few surprises with a Rhumba-flavored song, a fired-up electric guitar track, a classic waltz, a fiddle-tinged heartbreak song and a party dance number. Kenyon Lockry's genius of creating memorable hook lines will have fans singing these songs over and over.
As for that southern drawl, the fourth generation Floridian assures fans it comes naturally, as Florida is a hot bed for traditional country music. That's where his grandfather introduced him to the raw sounds of Hank Williams, one of his favorites.
That passion paired with the approval and support of the legendary Mel Tillis has proven invaluable. “Mel taught me everything I know. He was like a grandfather to me. He was the funniest person I ever knew — everything he did was funny, even when he wasn’t trying, with that stutter. Everyone in Nashville has a Mel Tillis story, and I was blessed to be front-row center as his protégé," states Kenyon.
For previews of the upcoming album, Kenyon Lockry "Further Than California," follow Kenyon by clicking HERE.
To request interviews, CD copies or mp3s, please contact: jenniherron@hotmail.com.
About Kenyon Lockry:
“Country To The Bone” is an undeniable spirit that showman Kenyon Lockry radiates. There aren’t many artists who can say a Country Music Hall of Fame star took them under their wing. But Kenyon’s uniquely fresh, original sound built on the foundation of classic country music didn’t escape the keen ear of Mel Tillis. Under Tillis’s management, Lockry recorded three albums and toured nationally to Branson, the CMA Music Festival, and multiple appearances at the Ryman Auditorium and the Grand Ole Opry.
“He taught me everything I know. He was like a grandfather to me. He was the funniest person I ever knew — everything he did was funny, even when he wasn’t trying, with that stutter. Everyone in Nashville has a Mel Tillis story, and I was blessed to be front-row center as his protégé,” shares Lockry.
But, surprisingly, the fourth-generation native Floridian, with a Southern drawl, was originally drawn to rock music, even forming a rock band in middle school. “Nirvana’s "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was the song that changed everything for me, along with Stone Temple Pilots and Pearl Jam,” states Kenyon Lockry, continuing, “When I was 18, my grandfather sat me down and said, ‘Son, it’s about time you learned where you came from.’ He played George Jones and Hank Williams Sr., and it was all brand new to my ears. Hank Sr. grabbed me by the shirt collar and I still believe he’s the greatest that ever lived. Then I fell hard for Johnny Cash and the Sun Records sound, along with Elvis. My favorite contemporary country record is George Strait’s Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind.”
With the groundwork laid out along with strong support from family and a country legend, Kenyon Lockry stepped out with his own music making five more independent records featuring his original songwriting and performing live to crowds of dancing fans with his band The Osceola Boys weekly in his home state of Florida.
His connection to Music City endures though. Kenyon Lockry’s upcoming album titled, Further Than California, was recently recorded in Nashville. Lockry solely wrote all of the tracks in this collection. It is scheduled for release in the fall of 2026.
“Making Further Than California was a real bucket-list thing for me. I always dreamed that when I could afford it, I’d bring my whole family to Nashville, put them up in a nice hotel, and go record an album. It was a blast — I even recorded at County Q, the same studio where I cut my first demo that got Mel’s attention. There on 16th Avenue, it felt like Eddie Arnold or Jim Reeves — surreal,” shares Kenyon.
Kenyon Lockry currently lives in Florida, married to his wife Jenni since 2010. Together, they are raising two children surrounded by family roots and their traditional values, while Kenyon also runs his own financial advising firm Kenyon Capital Group, LLC.
Artists Kenyon Lockry Has Performed With:
Dolly Parton, Randy Travis, Toby Keith, Duane Eddy, Marty Stuart, Connie Smith, Charlie Daniels, Clint Black, Radney Foster, Ira Dean, Heidi Newfield, Pam Tillis, Vince Gill, Rodney Atkins, Crystal Gayle, Tanya Tucker, Jake Owen, Chris Cagle, The Oak Ridge Boys, Tracy Lawrence, Neal McCoy, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Roy Clark, The Kentucky Headhunters, Craig Morgan, Jamey Johnson, The Band Perry, Bobby Bare, Little Jimmy Dickens, Ricky Skaggs, The Quebe Sisters, Doug Kershaw, B.J. Thomas, Dan Tyminski, Billy Joe Royal, Moe Bandy, Boots Randolph, T.G. Sheppard, Mark McGrath, Ed Kowalczyk (formerly of Live), Steve Augeri (formerly of Journey), and many others.
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Links:
Facebook: Facebook.com/Kenyon.Lockry
Instagram: Instagram.com/KenyonLockry
YouTube: YouTube.com/@kenyonlockry3792
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