Sunny Sweeney
- Singer–songwriter
2005–present
2 marriages, including
-
Jeff Helmer(m. 2011; div. 2018)
- Vocals
- guitar
Born and raised in Texas, Sweeney was exposed to music from an early age but did not pursue it professionally. Instead, she attempted an acting and comedy career. She then attended and graduated from Texas State University in 2001. It was after several jobs that Sweeney chose to pursue music professionally. After forming a band and gathering a regional following, her music was heard by Big Machine Records. The label would release her debut studio album titled Heartbreaker's Hall of Fame (2007). While its three singles failed to become success, it drew attention to Sweeney's career. She was then moved to Republic Nashville, which released her second studio album Concrete. Its lead single, "From a Table Away" reached the top ten of the American country songs chart in 2011.
Sweeney's career shifted towards the Americana genre with her next several releases. In addition, her recordings were issued on the independent Thirty Tigers and Aunt Daddy labels. Her 2014 album Provoked reached the top 20 of the American country albums chart and received critical acclaim. It was followed by 2017's Trophy, which made both the American folk and independent albums charts. In 2023, her fifth studio album Married Alone was released.
Early life[edit]
Sweeney was born in Longview, Texas.[1] She was the only child born to parents Patrick and Sheila Sweeney.[2] Her biological parents later divorced and remarried new spouses. Sweeney would become close with both her new stepmother and stepfather.[3] Her grandfather, Art Sweeney, was a local musician who played clubs and events near her hometown. He was among her early exposures to music.[2] While surrounded by music, Sunny herself did not perform publicly until singing Dolly Parton's "9 to 5" in her high school talent show. Upon graduating, Sweeney attempted other careers first instead of music.[4]
Sweeney took several junior college courses before moving to New York City to attempt an acting career. After finding little success, she then moved to Austin, Texas, where she joined an improvisational comedy. While she enjoyed being onstage she did not want to pursue comedy full time.[5][4][6] Instead, she attended Texas State University.[7] Commuting five days a week, Sweeney graduated in 2001 with a degree in Public Relations. She then married and worked various jobs. This included a brief stint at a newspaper and a child support agency. While interning for the Propaganda Media music company, Sweeney got opportunities to watch artists perform onstage. After seeing several artists perform onstage, Sweeney realized she could do the same thing. "This guy’s getting paid to do this? I could get paid to do that," she recalled to Lone Star magazine.[5]
Personal life[edit]
Sweeney has married and divorced twice. According to Sweeney, her first marriage was "really quick" and when she was "really young". The pair later divorced, but her first spouse's name has not been reported.[20] She married her second husband Jeff Helmer on November 11, 2011. The pair wed in an intimate ceremony in Las Vegas, Nevada, with only a few friends and family invited. At the time, Helmer was a Sergeant with Austin, Texas, police department. He was previously a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force.[21] "He is so supportive and just wants me to be happy and succeed," Sweeney said of the marriage in 2011.[22] The couple repeatedly attempted to have a child together, resulting in one miscarriage. Sweeney spoke of the miscarriage in 2017, "It makes you feel broken. It seems like no one talks about it, unless they know the person they’re talking to has also been through it."[23] Helmer and Sweeney divorced in 2018, citing her touring schedule for the marriage's demise. The pair still remain friends.[20]