Gay Country Music Fans Will Love These Artists
Contents
We’ve rounded up a list of country music artists that are sure to please any gay country music fan. From newcomers like Tyler Rich to veteran performers like Dolly Parton, these artists are creating some of the best country music around.
Introduction
In recent years, the country music industry has become more inclusive of LGBTQ artists and fans. This list includes some of the best gay country music artists who are making great music and promoting LGBTQ visibility. While not all of these artists are openly gay, they are all beloved by queer country fans.
So if you’re looking for some great new country music to add to your playlist, here are 10 LGBTQ artists you should check out. You’re sure to find a new favorite among them.
The History of Gay Country Music
The history of gay country music is often overlooked, but there have been many artists throughout the years who have been openly gay and have produced great country music. These artists have been brave and have helped to break down barriers for other gay artists in the industry.
The Early Years
The history of gay country music is often overshadowed by the more visible and mainstream genre of country music. However, there have been a number of gay country artists who have made a significant impact on the genre, both in terms of their musical talent and their willingness to be open about their sexuality.
One of the earliest openly gay country artists was Jimmie Rodgers, who was also one of the genre’s earliest superstars. Rodgers was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961, but it wasn’t until 2006 that he was outed as gay by his biographer.
In the 1970s, a number of country artists began to come out, including Billie Jo Spears, who had a hit with “Blanket on the Ground,” and Cris Williamson, who released The Changer and the Changed, which is considered one of the first openly lesbian albums ever released.
The 1980s saw a decline in openly gay country artists, but that began to change in the 1990s with the emergence of k.d. lang. lang had already established herself as a successful country artist before she came out publicly as a lesbian in 1992, but she continued to find success with her subsequent albums Ingenue and All You Can Eat.
Other successful gay country artists who emerged in the 1990s include Chely Wright, whose album Single White Female became one of the best-selling albums by a lesbian artist ever released, and Steve Grand, whose song “All-American Boy” went viral on YouTube and helped him become the first openly gay male country artist to be signed to a major label.
Gay country music has continued to grow in popularity in recent years, thanks in part to artists like Gavin DeGraw, Tyler Glenn of Neon Trees, Brandy Clark, Tydifeaturing Emii’s “Two Hearts I Call My Own,”and Billy Gilman, who made history as one ofthe first two openly gay men to compete on The Voice.
The Outlaw Movement
In the 1970s, a group of country music artists began to rebel against the polished, string-laden Nashville Sound that had come to dominate the genre. This “outlaw” movement was led by singers like Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings, who returned country music to its roots with a rawer, more personal sound.
The outlaw movement was also notable for being one of the first places where gay and lesbian country music fans felt welcome. Artists like Nelson and Jennings defied genre conventions by refusing to conform to traditional gender roles, and their openness about their own drug use and personal problems made many gay and lesbian fans feel like they could relate.
The popularity of the outlaw movement would wane in the 1980s, but its impact on country music (and on gay and lesbian country fans) would be lasting. In the years since, more and more openly gay and lesbian artists have found success in country music, including Brandi Carlile, Chely Wright, Steve Grand,Tyler Glenn,and Orville Peck.
The Mainstreaming of Gay Country Music
The mainstreaming of gay country music has been a long time coming. For years, the genre has been synonymous with heterosexuality, and while there have been a few closeted gay artists who have found success in country music, they have largely stayed in the background.
That all began to change in recent years, as more and more openly gay country artists have begun to find success in the genre. These artists are not only changing the face of country music, but they are also helping to break down barriers and stereotypes surrounding the LGBT community.
Some of the most popular gay country artists include Chely Wright, Ty Herndon, Steve Grand, and Billy Gilman. These artists have all found success with their music, and they are helping to create a more inclusive genre that is welcoming to all.
As more and more gay country artists find success in the mainstream, it is clear that the genre is evolving and growing. This is a positive trend that is sure to continue, and it is one that will only benefit the country music community as a whole.
The Top Gay Country Music Artists of Today
It’s no secret that country music has a bit of a problem when it comes to LGBTQ+ representation. However, there are still a few queer country artists making music today. Here are some of the best.
Steve Grand
Steve Grand is an up-and-coming country music artist who is quickly gaining popularity within the gay community. His 2013 song “All-American Boy” went viral on YouTube, and he has since been embraced by many as a gay role model within the country music genre. He is currently working on his debut album, which is set to be released later this year.
Ty Herndon
Herndon came out in 2014 during an interview with Entertainment Tonight, declaring, “I’m an out, proud and happy man.” He continued, “I have an amazing career, an amazing following. I’m happy where I am.”
The country music industry is notoriously conservative, so Herndon’s decision to come out was a brave one. His openness has inspired other artists to follow suit and be honest about their sexual orientation.
Herndon has been making music since 1995 and has released six studio albums. He is best known for his hits “What Mattered Most,” “Living in a Moment,” and “Steam.”
Billy Gilman
Billy Gilman burst onto the country music scene as a 12-year-old prodigy with his single “One Voice.” He had a string of hits in the early 2000s, but his career took a detour when he came out as gay in 2014. He released a new album in 2016 and has been praised for his courage and openness by both the country music community and the LGBT community.
Conclusion
We hope you’ve enjoyed our list of gay country music artists. While country music has historically been a genre that has not been very welcoming to the LGBTQ community, things are changing. These artists are helping to break down barriers and create a more inclusive genre that everyone can enjoy.
