About Tena Rae Helm
Vocalist, song writer, recording artist, philanthropist.
Both on stage and on her albums, Tena Rae’s vocal magic is matched by her enchanting energy and passion. She has released two country albums and developed a large fan base.
From her first album titled Tena Rae the single, Every Time, was widely aired on national radio. It rocked the music charts and received rave reviews from audiences and music professionals.
Tena Rae’s latest album, Embracing Every Moment and its single release Nobody’s Watching, climbed the Texas music charts to top 100. The album received an outstanding review by Texas Country Reporter and various radio station directors.
Another single (and video) from the album, Katy K, is an inspirational tribute to her healing horse. Their story was featured on the cover of Texas Animal Imprints and many social media platforms.
Tena Rae’s musical journey started when she was a small child. Her talented family had roots in gospel, pop, country and opera.
“My father played guitar. He wrote and sang funny songs. My grandpa was a fiddle player. My great grandma wrote music and played several instruments. She required each of her nine children to learn at least one musical instrument.”
By age four, Tena Rae was singing solos in church services, and spent years in musical theater. She played a leading role in a long-running production of Annie, and then became Little Mary Sunshine — both at Houston’s Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS).
Tena Rae’s busy teen years were spent on stages, riding horses and modeling. For ten years as a young adult, she was lead vocalist for the Eclipse Orchestra, often performing across the U.S. During those years, she was also a lead vocalist at Houston’s Swiss Chalet. She sang at The Great Caruso with Howard Hartman.
Tena Rae often sang at the Astrodome for the Astros and Houston Rockets games. She especially enjoyed performing at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
As her musical talents grew, so did Tena Rae’s interest in country music. She has greatly influenced by Dolly Parton. She began writing songs and performing in country venues, which led her to Nashville. She was one of the lead actresses in a music video with Vince Gill, and she performed at a Trisha Yearwood concert.
Her first CD in 2004, titled Tena Rae, received rave reviews and launched a multitude of concerts and public appearances around the country.
Tena Rae’s exciting career was abruptly interrupted by Lyme disease. While being treated, she returned to her family and Texas. Over the next few years, her faith and her bond with a horse healed her broken spirit and helped her recover.
She met and married a Brenham man, and they settled in the area with her healing horse, Katy K. Newly in love with a man and a horse, Tena Rae was inspired to write and record an album of heartfelt songs.
Her second CD, Embracing Every Moment, was released in 2010. Its upbeat single, Nobody’s Watching, climbed the charts to the top 100, as part of a Texas music radio tour.
When Tena Rae performs, she especially enjoys supporting fundraisers to fight diseases. She and her horse Katy K have helped several patients in their battles against Lyme disease.
She continues to write and record original music, and is now working to release her third album. Sounds of An American Life—LIVE will include a video of the live concert.