Country Mic Gets a Gay-Themed Show Wh Apple Mic's 'Proud Rad' - Variety

Contents:

• LIL NAS X MAK HISTORY AS FIRST OPENLY GAY BLACK ARTIST TO W AT CMA AWARDS
• 10 COUNTRY SONGS TO CELEBRATE PRI MONTHCMT HIGHLIGHTS SONGS OM KACEY MGRAV, BROTHERS OSBORNE, LILY ROSE AND MOREBY JSI NICHOLSONJUNE 15, 2021/5:02 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:1012PX;WIDTH:1800PX;}BY JSI NICHOLSONJUNE 15, 2021 / 5:02 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"10 COUNTRY SONGS TO CELEBRATE PRI MONTH","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2021-06-15T21:02:05.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2021-06-15T21:02:05.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"CMT"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"CMT","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080}},"CREATOR":"JSI NICHOLSON"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}EACH JUNE THE LGBTQ+ MUNY CELEBRAT PRI MONTH, MEMORATG NOT ONLY THE 1969 EVENTS AT STONEWALL, BUT ALSO THE PROMOTN OF EQUALY AND VISIBILY OF THE QUEER MUNY. THIS YEAR, AS COVID-19 RTRICTNS ON GATHERGS SLOWLY EASE, AND PRI EVENTS BEG TO BE HELD PERSON, THERE'S EVEN MORE REASON FOR CELEBRATN. FOR COUNTRY MIC'S LGBTQ+ ARTISTS, AND THEIR ALLI, THERE ARE MANY SONGS THAT HIGHLIGHT THE CELEBRATORY NATURE OF THE MONTH, AND HERE ARE 10 TO GET YOUR PLAYLIST {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}KACEY MGRAV, "FOLLOW YOUR ARROW"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS 2013 RELEASE, WHICH MGRAV PENNED WH OPENLY GAY SONGWRERS BRANDY CLARK AND SHANE MCANALLY, EARNED PRAISE FOR S LYRICS CELEBRATG THE "DO WHAT FEELS RIGHT" MENTALY, WHETHER THAT'S LIGHTG UP A JOT, OR, AS THE SONG GO, "KISS LOTS OF BOYS – OR LOTS OF GIRLS, IF THAT'S SOMETHG YOU'RE TO." "FOLLOW YOUR ARROW" MA HISTORY WHEN THIS CLIVE TRACK WAS NAMED SONG OF THE YEAR AT THE COUNTRY MIC ASSOCIATN AWARDS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BROTHERS OSBORNE, "YOUNGER ME"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SIBLG DUO BROTHERS OSBORNE RELEASED THIS TRANSPARENT TRACK SHORTLY AFTER T.J. OSBORNE ME OUT AS GAY EARLIER THIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YOUTH A'T WASTED ON THE YOUNG/THE TRIPS AROUND THE SUN/I NEED EVERY ONE/TO GET WHERE I'M STANDG NOW/IT'S AN UPHILL ROAD TO N, THEY SG, A NOD TO HOW THE HARD TIM HAVE HELPED THEM BEE WHO THEY ARE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“I’VE ALWAYS WISHED I ULD SPEAK TO MY YOUNGER SELF, GIVE HIM A HUG AND SHOW HIM WHO HE’D BEE AND WHAT HE’D ACHIEVE," T.J. SAID VIA TWTER OF THE SONG'S RELEASE. "ONCE I ME OUT, THAT FEELG WAS OVERWHELMGLY STRONG THAT THIS SONG WAS BORN.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BROOKE EN, "GOT NO CHOICE"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OVER THE PAST YEAR, EN HAS SHARED HER LOVE STORY WH MIC DTRY EXEC HILARY HOOVER THROUGH A TR OF SUN-DRENCHED VIOS, CLUDG THE BREEZY "SUNROOF," "NO SHA," AND "GOT NO CHOICE," ALL OF WHICH FEATURE HER RELATNSHIP WH HOOVER. THE UPLE ALSO RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THEIR ENGAGEMENT. EN'S VIO FOR "SUNROOF" ALSO EARNED A NOMATN FOR "BT FAY FEATURE" AT THE 2021 CMT MIC {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}GARTH BROOKS, "WE SHALL BE FREE"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN WE’RE EE TO LOVE ANYONE WE CHOOSE/WHEN THIS WORLD’S BIG ENOUGH FOR ALL DIFFERENT VIEWS, WHEN WE ALL N WORSHIP OM OUR OWN KD OF PEW/THEN WE SHALL BE EE, BROOKS SGS THIS 1992 RELEASE. DUE TO SOME UNTRY STATNS BANNG THE SONG OM RAD AIRPLAY, THE TRACK BEME BROOKS' FIRST TO NOT REACH THE TOP 10 ON THE UNTRY CHARTS. HOWEVER, DID EARN BROOKS A GLAAD MEDIA AWARD {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MICKEY GUYTON, "WHAT ARE YOU GONNA TELL HER?"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DO YOU LET HER THK THE CK’S NOT STACKED/AND GAY OR STRAIGHT OR WHE OR BLACK/YOU JT DREAM AND ANYTHG N HAPPEN?, GUYTON SGS THIS STHG DICTMENT ON A SOCIETY THAT BUILDS UP YOUNG GIRLS, ONLY TO PUT UP VAR GENR AND RACIAL ROADBLOCKS TO THEIR SUCCS AS THEY GROW {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"AS KIDS, WE’RE TOLD THAT WE N BE WHATEVER WE WANT TO BE WHEN WE GROW UP. AND AS WOMEN, WHEN WE GROW UP, WE REALIZE WE N’T BE EVERYTHG THAT WE WANT TO BE WHEN WE GROW UP. AND NEEDS TO CHANGE," GUYTON TOLD CMT OF THE SONG BACK {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LILY ROSE, "REMD ME OF YOU"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NEWER LILY ROSE, WHOSE TRACK "VILLA" BEME A VIRAL H, DIDN'T WRE THIS NEW TRACK, "REMD ME OF YOU." THE SONG WAS PENNED BY SAM HUNT, ERNT K. SMH, RYAN VOJTAK AND COREY CROWR. HOWEVER, ROSE PUT AN LIBLE STAMP ON THE SONG. INSTEAD OF SWAPPG THE SONG'S PRONOUNS TO REFLECT A HETEROSEXUAL RELATNSHIP, ROSE CHOSE TO LEAVE THEM AS THEY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"GIRL YOU WERE ALL THAT I WANTED AND THAT’S WHY FALLG LOVE WH HER IS SO HARD TO DO, SHE DON’T REMD ME OF YOU," ROSE SGS ON THE HNTG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TY HERNDON, "WHAT MATTERED MOST (ALTERNATIVE VERSN)"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HERNDON EARNED HIS FIRST NO. 1 H WH "WHAT MATTERED MOST" 1995, LONG BEFORE HE ME OUT AS GAY 2014. IN 2019, HE CHANGED THE PRONOUNS ED ONE OF HIS BIGGT HS TO REFLECT A STORY OF EXPRSG REGRET OVER THE ENDG OF A FORMER ROMANTIC RELATNSHIP WH ANOTHER MAN. ONE LISTEN TO THE UPDATED VERSN OF THE SONG SHOWS HERNDON'S VOICE SOUNDG MORE POWERFUL, EXPRSIVE AND THENTIC THAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE HIGHWOMEN, "IF SHE EVER LEAV ME"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS SUPERSTAR GROUP--WHICH CLUS BRANDI CARLILE, MAREN MORRIS, AMANDA SHIR AND NATALIE HEMBY--CLUD THIS SONG ON THEIR 2019 SELF-TLED ALBUM. THE SONG OFFERS SLY HUMOR OM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A WOMAN TELLG A MAN THAT IF HER FEMALE LOVER EVER LEAV HER, WON'T BE FOR HIM. THE GROUP BUTED THE SONG AT THE NEWPORT FOLK FTIVAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"IF SHE EVER LEAV, ’S GONNA BE FOR A WOMAN WH MORE TIME/WHO’S NOT AAID TO LET HER DREAMS E TE/IF SHE EVER GIV HER REFUL HEART TO SOMEBODY NEW/WELL, WON’T BE FOR A WBOY LIKE YOU," THEY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LE BRYAN, "MOST PEOPLE ARE GOOD"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BRYAN, WHO OVER THE PAST HAS BEE OF THE BIGGT STARS THE UNTRY GENRE, CLUD THIS LE HIS PLATUM-SELLG, CHART-TOPPG H OM 2018: "I BELIEVE YOU LOVE WHO YOU LOVE. A’T NOTHG YOU SHOULD EVER BE ASHAMED OF."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THE FIRST TIME I HEARD THE SONG I WAS JT SO ENAMORED WH THE WHOLE BODY OF THE WORK OF THE SONG, AND EVERYTHG WAS SAYG AND DOG," BRYAN TOLD 2018. "THAT LE KDA BYPASSED ME AS SOMEBODY THE LGBT MUNY LATCHG ONTO . I MEAN I JT HEARD AS JT LOVE; I KD OF HEARD AS JT A LOVE LE. I DIDN'T REALLY PICK APART THAT WAY. AND I WILL BE TTHFUL," HE NTUED, "I THOUGHT ABOUT AS EVEN AN NER-RACIALLY CHARGED LE ORIGALLY. BUT THAT'S ONLY EVEN AFTER I HAD MULTIPLE LISTENS OF THE SONG. AND THEN AS PEOPLE STARTED ASKG ME ABOUT , AND GOG TO EVEN RERDG , SOMEBODY BROUGHT UP, 'WOULD YOU EVER HAVE CHANGED THAT LE?' AND I WOULD'VE BEEN LIKE, 'ARE YOU CRAZY? NOT A LN YEARS.'"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WILLIE NELSON, "COWBOYS ARE FREQUENTLY, SECRETLY FOND OF EACH OTHER"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS SONG WAS ORIGALLY RERD BY NED SUBLETTE, THOUGH WAS NELSON'S VERSN THAT MOST PEOPLE KNOW BT, THANKS TO NELSON'S VERSN BEG RELEASED RIGHT AROUND THE TIME OF THE 2005 MOVIE BROKEBACK {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND THERE'S MANY A WBOY WHO DON'T UNRSTAND THE WAY THAT HE FEELS FOR HIS BROTHER/AND SI EVERY WBOY, THERE'S A LADY THAT'D LOVE TO SLIP OUT, NELSON SGS THE TRACK. MORE RECENTLY, NEWER ORVILLE PECK ALSO RELEASED A VER OF THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:75%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
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LIL NAS X MAK HISTORY AS FIRST OPENLY GAY BLACK ARTIST TO W AT CMA AWARDS

(Matt Wkelmeyer / Getty Imag) Lil Nas X ma history Wednday night at the 53rd CMA Awards when he beme the first openly gay black mician to take home a w om the Country Mic h “Old Town Road, ” a llaboratn wh veteran untry sger Billy Ray Cys, was named the mil event of the year. 14, 2019An earlier versn of this article rrectly stated that Lil Nas X was the first openly gay artist to w a CMA Award. He is the first openly gay black artist to do so.

Country sgers Shane McAnally and Brandy Clark, both of whom are whe and openly gay, shared the 2014 song of the year CMA Award wh Kacey Mgrav for “Follow Your Arrow. Ty Herndon me out as gay 2014, havg prevly earned a handful of No. ” That same year, Billy Gilman (who found succs untry mic as a child wh songs cludg “One Voice”) also me out publicly as gay.

Sce then, the untry mic dtry has slowly seen more openly gay artists and songwrers fd succs. In the 2000s and 2010s, songwrers Shane McAnally and Brandy Clark, who are both openly gay, began havg succs as wrers.

10 COUNTRY SONGS TO CELEBRATE PRI MONTHCMT HIGHLIGHTS SONGS OM KACEY MGRAV, BROTHERS OSBORNE, LILY ROSE AND MOREBY JSI NICHOLSONJUNE 15, 2021/5:02 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:1012PX;WIDTH:1800PX;}BY JSI NICHOLSONJUNE 15, 2021 / 5:02 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"10 COUNTRY SONGS TO CELEBRATE PRI MONTH","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2021-06-15T21:02:05.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2021-06-15T21:02:05.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"CMT"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"CMT","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080}},"CREATOR":"JSI NICHOLSON"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}EACH JUNE THE LGBTQ+ MUNY CELEBRAT PRI MONTH, MEMORATG NOT ONLY THE 1969 EVENTS AT STONEWALL, BUT ALSO THE PROMOTN OF EQUALY AND VISIBILY OF THE QUEER MUNY. THIS YEAR, AS COVID-19 RTRICTNS ON GATHERGS SLOWLY EASE, AND PRI EVENTS BEG TO BE HELD PERSON, THERE'S EVEN MORE REASON FOR CELEBRATN. FOR COUNTRY MIC'S LGBTQ+ ARTISTS, AND THEIR ALLI, THERE ARE MANY SONGS THAT HIGHLIGHT THE CELEBRATORY NATURE OF THE MONTH, AND HERE ARE 10 TO GET YOUR PLAYLIST {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}KACEY MGRAV, "FOLLOW YOUR ARROW"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS 2013 RELEASE, WHICH MGRAV PENNED WH OPENLY GAY SONGWRERS BRANDY CLARK AND SHANE MCANALLY, EARNED PRAISE FOR S LYRICS CELEBRATG THE "DO WHAT FEELS RIGHT" MENTALY, WHETHER THAT'S LIGHTG UP A JOT, OR, AS THE SONG GO, "KISS LOTS OF BOYS – OR LOTS OF GIRLS, IF THAT'S SOMETHG YOU'RE TO." "FOLLOW YOUR ARROW" MA HISTORY WHEN THIS CLIVE TRACK WAS NAMED SONG OF THE YEAR AT THE COUNTRY MIC ASSOCIATN AWARDS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BROTHERS OSBORNE, "YOUNGER ME"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SIBLG DUO BROTHERS OSBORNE RELEASED THIS TRANSPARENT TRACK SHORTLY AFTER T.J. OSBORNE ME OUT AS GAY EARLIER THIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YOUTH A'T WASTED ON THE YOUNG/THE TRIPS AROUND THE SUN/I NEED EVERY ONE/TO GET WHERE I'M STANDG NOW/IT'S AN UPHILL ROAD TO N, THEY SG, A NOD TO HOW THE HARD TIM HAVE HELPED THEM BEE WHO THEY ARE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“I’VE ALWAYS WISHED I ULD SPEAK TO MY YOUNGER SELF, GIVE HIM A HUG AND SHOW HIM WHO HE’D BEE AND WHAT HE’D ACHIEVE," T.J. SAID VIA TWTER OF THE SONG'S RELEASE. "ONCE I ME OUT, THAT FEELG WAS OVERWHELMGLY STRONG THAT THIS SONG WAS BORN.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BROOKE EN, "GOT NO CHOICE"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OVER THE PAST YEAR, EN HAS SHARED HER LOVE STORY WH MIC DTRY EXEC HILARY HOOVER THROUGH A TR OF SUN-DRENCHED VIOS, CLUDG THE BREEZY "SUNROOF," "NO SHA," AND "GOT NO CHOICE," ALL OF WHICH FEATURE HER RELATNSHIP WH HOOVER. THE UPLE ALSO RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THEIR ENGAGEMENT. EN'S VIO FOR "SUNROOF" ALSO EARNED A NOMATN FOR "BT FAY FEATURE" AT THE 2021 CMT MIC {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}GARTH BROOKS, "WE SHALL BE FREE"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN WE’RE EE TO LOVE ANYONE WE CHOOSE/WHEN THIS WORLD’S BIG ENOUGH FOR ALL DIFFERENT VIEWS, WHEN WE ALL N WORSHIP OM OUR OWN KD OF PEW/THEN WE SHALL BE EE, BROOKS SGS THIS 1992 RELEASE. DUE TO SOME UNTRY STATNS BANNG THE SONG OM RAD AIRPLAY, THE TRACK BEME BROOKS' FIRST TO NOT REACH THE TOP 10 ON THE UNTRY CHARTS. HOWEVER, DID EARN BROOKS A GLAAD MEDIA AWARD {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MICKEY GUYTON, "WHAT ARE YOU GONNA TELL HER?"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DO YOU LET HER THK THE CK’S NOT STACKED/AND GAY OR STRAIGHT OR WHE OR BLACK/YOU JT DREAM AND ANYTHG N HAPPEN?, GUYTON SGS THIS STHG DICTMENT ON A SOCIETY THAT BUILDS UP YOUNG GIRLS, ONLY TO PUT UP VAR GENR AND RACIAL ROADBLOCKS TO THEIR SUCCS AS THEY GROW {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"AS KIDS, WE’RE TOLD THAT WE N BE WHATEVER WE WANT TO BE WHEN WE GROW UP. AND AS WOMEN, WHEN WE GROW UP, WE REALIZE WE N’T BE EVERYTHG THAT WE WANT TO BE WHEN WE GROW UP. AND NEEDS TO CHANGE," GUYTON TOLD CMT OF THE SONG BACK {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LILY ROSE, "REMD ME OF YOU"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NEWER LILY ROSE, WHOSE TRACK "VILLA" BEME A VIRAL H, DIDN'T WRE THIS NEW TRACK, "REMD ME OF YOU." THE SONG WAS PENNED BY SAM HUNT, ERNT K. SMH, RYAN VOJTAK AND COREY CROWR. HOWEVER, ROSE PUT AN LIBLE STAMP ON THE SONG. INSTEAD OF SWAPPG THE SONG'S PRONOUNS TO REFLECT A HETEROSEXUAL RELATNSHIP, ROSE CHOSE TO LEAVE THEM AS THEY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"GIRL YOU WERE ALL THAT I WANTED AND THAT’S WHY FALLG LOVE WH HER IS SO HARD TO DO, SHE DON’T REMD ME OF YOU," ROSE SGS ON THE HNTG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TY HERNDON, "WHAT MATTERED MOST (ALTERNATIVE VERSN)"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HERNDON EARNED HIS FIRST NO. 1 H WH "WHAT MATTERED MOST" 1995, LONG BEFORE HE ME OUT AS GAY 2014. IN 2019, HE CHANGED THE PRONOUNS ED ONE OF HIS BIGGT HS TO REFLECT A STORY OF EXPRSG REGRET OVER THE ENDG OF A FORMER ROMANTIC RELATNSHIP WH ANOTHER MAN. ONE LISTEN TO THE UPDATED VERSN OF THE SONG SHOWS HERNDON'S VOICE SOUNDG MORE POWERFUL, EXPRSIVE AND THENTIC THAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE HIGHWOMEN, "IF SHE EVER LEAV ME"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS SUPERSTAR GROUP--WHICH CLUS BRANDI CARLILE, MAREN MORRIS, AMANDA SHIR AND NATALIE HEMBY--CLUD THIS SONG ON THEIR 2019 SELF-TLED ALBUM. THE SONG OFFERS SLY HUMOR OM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A WOMAN TELLG A MAN THAT IF HER FEMALE LOVER EVER LEAV HER, WON'T BE FOR HIM. THE GROUP BUTED THE SONG AT THE NEWPORT FOLK FTIVAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"IF SHE EVER LEAV, ’S GONNA BE FOR A WOMAN WH MORE TIME/WHO’S NOT AAID TO LET HER DREAMS E TE/IF SHE EVER GIV HER REFUL HEART TO SOMEBODY NEW/WELL, WON’T BE FOR A WBOY LIKE YOU," THEY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LE BRYAN, "MOST PEOPLE ARE GOOD"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BRYAN, WHO OVER THE PAST HAS BEE OF THE BIGGT STARS THE UNTRY GENRE, CLUD THIS LE HIS PLATUM-SELLG, CHART-TOPPG H OM 2018: "I BELIEVE YOU LOVE WHO YOU LOVE. A’T NOTHG YOU SHOULD EVER BE ASHAMED OF."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THE FIRST TIME I HEARD THE SONG I WAS JT SO ENAMORED WH THE WHOLE BODY OF THE WORK OF THE SONG, AND EVERYTHG WAS SAYG AND DOG," BRYAN TOLD 2018. "THAT LE KDA BYPASSED ME AS SOMEBODY THE LGBT MUNY LATCHG ONTO . I MEAN I JT HEARD AS JT LOVE; I KD OF HEARD AS JT A LOVE LE. I DIDN'T REALLY PICK APART THAT WAY. AND I WILL BE TTHFUL," HE NTUED, "I THOUGHT ABOUT AS EVEN AN NER-RACIALLY CHARGED LE ORIGALLY. BUT THAT'S ONLY EVEN AFTER I HAD MULTIPLE LISTENS OF THE SONG. AND THEN AS PEOPLE STARTED ASKG ME ABOUT , AND GOG TO EVEN RERDG , SOMEBODY BROUGHT UP, 'WOULD YOU EVER HAVE CHANGED THAT LE?' AND I WOULD'VE BEEN LIKE, 'ARE YOU CRAZY? NOT A LN YEARS.'"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WILLIE NELSON, "COWBOYS ARE FREQUENTLY, SECRETLY FOND OF EACH OTHER"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS SONG WAS ORIGALLY RERD BY NED SUBLETTE, THOUGH WAS NELSON'S VERSN THAT MOST PEOPLE KNOW BT, THANKS TO NELSON'S VERSN BEG RELEASED RIGHT AROUND THE TIME OF THE 2005 MOVIE BROKEBACK {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND THERE'S MANY A WBOY WHO DON'T UNRSTAND THE WAY THAT HE FEELS FOR HIS BROTHER/AND SI EVERY WBOY, THERE'S A LADY THAT'D LOVE TO SLIP OUT, NELSON SGS THE TRACK. MORE RECENTLY, NEWER ORVILLE PECK ALSO RELEASED A VER OF THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:75%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

“We Shall Be Free” — and s celebry-filled mic vio — took aim at a number of social issu, cludg homophobia, eedom of relign, world hunger and racism. Includ on the group Lavenr Country’s groundbreakg, gay-themed, eponymo 1973 album, this song is a mil ray of sunshe, as the sger basks the happs of a new relatnship. Brothers Osborne’s TJ Osborne me out as gay an terview wh TIME 2021, and soon, the siblg duo released this song, crafted as a song to TJ’s younger self, filled wh enuragement and wisdom.

The very first gay untry song is thought to be I Love My F by The Sweet Vlet Boys.

HERE ARE GAY COUNTRY SGERS WHO STOOD OUT LOUD AND PROUD

At the band’s helm was (and still is) sger, songwrer, and guarist Patrick Haggerty, a lifelong gay-rights and anti-racism activist and sometime polician. In 1970, jt one year after the Stonewall rts, Haggerty moved to Seattle, Washgton, where he beme volved wh the Gay Communy Social Servic of Seattle, one of Ameri's first such anisatns for the queer muny. Haggerty formed Lavenr Country 1972, and the band played regularly at gay pri events up and down the Wt Coast.

The album featur songs about jtice all aspects of society but most notably the gay muny.

The stereotype of the flannel shirt-sportg, beard, long hair topped wh a tcker p, untry-mic lovg ‘hick’ has now bee emblematic of backward, and homophobic, thkg – as seen for example, Taylor Swift’s You Need to Calm Down mic vio which whe workg-class people are shown prottg agast gay rights.

‘I’M HERE, I’M QUEER AND I’M COUNTRY’: THE TOP 5 GAY COUNTRY SONGS

“Then the ‘70s when social polics took such a big turn wh the women’s rights movement, the gay rights movement, the civil rights movement,  wasn’t ol for middle-class people to be tolerant.

“When I was le dancg I uld jt dance around and be a ltle gay boy and no one would judge me for , ” he rells. “And I unrstand why people are choosg the more morate paths orr to get to gay stardom but [ my mic] ’s the raw real polic that people are attracted to.

LIL NAS X MAK GRAMMY HISTORY AS THE FIRST OPENLY GAY RAPPER NOMATED TOP TEGORI

For Country Mic's LGBTQ+ artists, and their alli, there are many songs that highlight the celebratory nature of the month, and here are 10 to get your playlist Mgrav, "Follow Your Arrow"This 2013 release, which Mgrav penned wh openly gay songwrers Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, earned praise for s lyrics celebratg the "do what feels right" mentaly, whether that's lightg up a jot, or, as the song go, "kiss lots of boys – or lots of girls, if that's somethg you're to. Osborne me out as gay earlier this a't wasted on the young/The trips around the sun/I need every one/To get where I'm standg now/It's an uphill road to n, they sg, a nod to how the hard tim have helped them bee who they are today. "Do you let her thk the ck’s not stacked/And gay or straight or whe or black/You jt dream and anythg n happen?, Guyton sgs this sthg dictment on a society that builds up young girls, only to put up var genr and racial roadblocks to their succs as they grow olr.

1 h wh "What Mattered Most" 1995, long before he me out as gay 2014. Country artist Brian Falduto, bt known as the sassy scene-stealg gay kid om School of Rock, jt released the first sgle om his upg Gay Country EP.

“Same Old Country Love Song” is a te untry love song for gay guys, wh plenty of hot guys tight blue jeans. Don’t get me wrong – I am lovg all the new and excg sounds that are out there the days, particularly much of what’s g om emergg queer artists who are phg the envelope, ” Falduto said of his work on the upg Gay Country EP. ”You n now stream or download “Same Old Country Love Song” by Brian Falduto off of his upg EP, Gay Country.

COUNTRY MIC’S LGBTQ ARROW LANDS AT APPLE MIC, AS THE GENRE GETS ITS FIRST GAY-THEMED SHOW WH ‘PROUD RAD’

Country mic has a lengthy and not-so-proud reputatn for beg tensely homophobic.

Gay untry sgers were, sadly, not warmly weled.

For stance, Patrick Haggerty, whose band lled Lavenr Country, released what is wily believed to be the first explicly gay rerd 1973, ultimately leadg the band to fa to obscury.

From gay untry stars sgg os about lovg who you want to untry artists enuragg listeners not to be aaid to embrace their genr inty, the genre – both s artists and s fans – has fally reached a place where acceptance is the new standard. So, today, let’s take a look at some of the most celebrated gay untry sgers – om Grammy Award-wng stars Brandi Carlile and Lil Nas X to T.