Country singer Ty Herndon, who has come out as being gay, recently re-released his 1994 hit single "What Matters Most" with male pronouns (or as he says in the opening of the video, "the way I wish I could have sang it for you then.") It's amazing with all the love songs around where the context is obviously that of a heterosexual couple, to hear a song that expclicitly celebrates gay love. So far, he seems to have had a positive reception, at least juding by the comment section on that video.
I've long been a country music fan, however this makes me an even bigger fan. Coutnry music is viewed by some as hillbillly redneck music that all they do is talk about how they love their small towns, drinking, and cheating. There has always been more to it than that. It gives voice to a wide range of issues and perspectives. Some of them I could list include economic stagnation of the poor and middle class, domestic violence, child abuse, children with special needs, being against war, rape culture, challenging sexism within its own genre, suburban sprawl at the expense of farms and the natural world. and environmental destruction. There are probably many more issues and songs about them Above all, country music encourages you to stay true to yourself, because it really takes many different kinds to make the world go round.
Country music has long been opening and accepting of many people, including the LGBQT population. This is really great news. Congratulations Mr. Herndon, hope to hear you on the radio again.
