• GAYRVA.COM
  • ABOUT
  • Mobile Site

GayRVA

  • News & Views
    • Headlines
    • History
    • Op/Ed
  • Arts & Events
    • Calendar
    • Photos
    • Nightlife
    • Submit an Event
  • Lifestyle
    • Food & Drink
    • Dating & Relationships
    • Health & Fitness
    • Style
  • Guide
    • Attractions
    • Bars & Clubs
    • Faith
    • Health & Beauty
    • Hotels
    • Legal Resources
    • Non-Profit, Volunteer & Activism
    • Real Estate
    • Recreation
    • Restaurants
    • Shopping
    • Support & Social Groups
    • Theaters
    • Travel
  • Calendar
  • Advertise
  • Bars & Clubs
  • Business Directory
  • Dating
  • Nightlife
  • Photos
  • Visit Richmond
  • Home
  • >
  • Steve Grand, Not the First or the Best Gay Country Singer
  • You are not logged in.
  • LOGIN
  • Arts & Events

    Health Brigade Throws Inaugural...

    brigala001
  • News & Views

    Trump To Reverse Obama...

    HHS-4
  • News & Views

    This Man Thinks His...

    itv-this-morning-4_640x345_acf_cropped-1
  • News & Views

    British Man Who Deliberately...

    daryll-rowe-facebook_650x400_61524107676
  • News & Views

    Christian Conservatives Claim Bill...

    oann-4
  • News & Views

    RTD Quietly Apologizes For...

    ggUwXDMz_400x400
  • Arts & Events

    On Their Debut Album,...

    npr-1----farrah-skeiky_wide-05af2f640c5bed5ccb7df1f871116072c1d54b78-s800-c85
  • News & Views

    “Queers Will Burn And...

    michael-hill-4
  • Arts & Events

    “Queer Voices” Brings Needed...

    queervoiceslitcrawl
  • News & Views

    VAVP Brings NERVE: Stories...

    29314750_1888291627850560_5798738618818232320_n

Arts & Events

    • Calendar
    • Photos
    • Nightlife
    • Submit an Event
  • Question

    Tacos vs Pizza: You must choose!

    View Results

    Loading ... Loading ...

Steve Grand, Not the First or the Best Gay Country Singer

Neither a catchy song, or a set of abs is what shot Grand to front page, but rather a misleading title bestowed upon him by shoddy journalism.
Anderson
Anderson
July 11, 2013
    • Tweet

    Read More: Chely Wright, Drake Jensen, K. D. Lang, LGBT Country music, Steve Grand

    Steve-Grand

    An unsigned country artist, Steve Grand, has hit the music scene with a new tune and a stunning set of abdominal muscles. Neither of these two things is what really shot him to front pages (alright, maybe the abs) and even live performances in Chicago’s The Joynt, but rather a misleading title bestowed upon him by shoddy journalism.

     

    Grand has been dubbed by BuzzFeed as the first openly gay male country star. He is praised for having the courage to come out in a genre that is often symbolized by the love of trucks, The United States, and, of course chicks, without much variation. However he isn’t really the first; in any of those regardless.

    Proceeding Grand, a number, be it not many, have come out before him. One of the most famous, and who qualifies as an actual star, is K. D. Lang. She was highly regarded as a pioneer in 1992 when she came out within the pages of The Advocate.

     

    Lang was an influence in the hearts of many gay people with their own life struggles, both her musical style and personal story spoke to LGBT country fans over 20 years before Grand came on the scene. One particularly influenced performer was Chely Wright. Wright, who won the Academy of Country Music title of best new female artist in 1994, came out in 2010 and before long became a known LGBT rights activist. Sadly, she was not surprised when she lost a good deal of fans from her coming out, but this did not stop her though from marrying her now wife Lauren Blitzer in 2011.

     

    Just in case this all seems a little female heavy, we shall include a male country star who has come out as well. Drake Jensen, a Canadian country star who has been out since his career began. His success didn’t pick up steam till 2011 when he recorded in Nashville, TN under the guidance of veteran producer Kim Copeland. As of late, he’s gained recognition after recording a cover of Tammy Wynette’s hit song “Stand By Your Man” with Ru Paul’s Drag Race star Willam Belli.

     

    Beside Jensen, gay country singers have succeed off the mic. Shane McAnally, a Nashville based songwriter, has helped penn 7 no. 1 singles for artists like Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum and Reba McEntire. And while spot-light fame and glory might not have been his goal, he’s found great success in his behind the scenes role. McAnally has gone as far as to say he’s gained more recognition since he came out in 2007. “My career really took off when I came out,” he told the New York Times in a March 2013 profile. “When I stopped hiding who I am, I started writing hits.”

    It’s always nice to hear about a successful LGBT artist, especially in the country music scene. But to say that he is the first to do it is a little far-fetched. We all need to be happy when each and every one of us find out who we are and what it is we truly desire in our lives, but to ignore our past is dishonorable and Grand’s lack of correction on his matter is something to be less enthusiastic about. We are all a part of a spectacular community and that deserves praise.

      • Tweet
      photo by Jason Quigley www.photojq.com

      Related Stories

      Case/Lang/Veirs puts female folk performers front and center at Lincoln Theatre 7/28 (Ticket Giveaway)

      The recently released record by k.d. lang, Neko Case, and Laura Veirs is a rare treat for fans of the three artists as the combo offers some of the best each artist has to offer. Hailed as “an exquisite tribute to connection and reflection on the things that bind us” by Pitchfork, Case/Lang/Veirs is the debut release from the three [...]

      July 20, 2016
      • Steve Grand At Nu: Whiskey, Red Bull, and Covers Please an Adoring Crowd, September 20, 2013
      • Gay Country Star Steve Grand Comes to Nu Nightclub Tonight!, September 19, 2013
      • Prev Movie Reviews: Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain & Despicable Me 2
      • Next VA CPAs Explain the Complex Post-DOMA Tax Code
      • Topics
      • Back to top
      ACLU Babe's of Carytown Bob Marshall Carytown Discrimination Diversity Richmond DOMA Equality Virginia Fan Free Clinic Featured Fourth Friday GA 2016 gallery Gay Community Center of Richmond GCCR Godfrey's History HRC Human Rights Campaign Lesbian LGBT LGBTQ LGBT Rights Mark Herring Marriage Equality movie reviews Movies music Nations North Carolina Photos Richmond Richmond Triangle Players ROSMY rva theater RVA theatre Same-Sex Marriage Transgender transgender bathroom use Trump tv jerry University of Richmond VA Pride VCU video

      More News

      • HHS-4 Trump To Reverse Obama Rule Banning Health Care Discrimination Against Transgender People
      • itv-this-morning-4_640x345_acf_cropped-1 This Man Thinks His Medication Made Him Gay — Watch A Doctor Explain the Truth to Him On Live TV
      • daryll-rowe-facebook_650x400_61524107676 British Man Who Deliberately Infected Partners With HIV Gets Life In Prison
      • Recent Posts

        • Health Brigade Throws Inaugural Brigala at LaDiff Saturday
        • Trump To Reverse Obama Rule Banning Health Care Discrimination Against Transgender People
        • This Man Thinks His Medication Made Him Gay — Watch A Doctor Explain the Truth to Him On Live TV
        • British Man Who Deliberately Infected Partners With HIV Gets Life In Prison
        • Christian Conservatives Claim Bill Banning Conversion Therapy Would Also Ban The Bible
      • Friend Activity

      our partners

      Gungho Guide

      QUICK LINKS

      About

      • About GayRVA
      • Advertise
      • Contact Us
      • Privacy Policy

      Arts & Events

      • Photos
      • Nightlife
      • Calendar
      • Archive

      Connect

      • YouTube
      • Twitter
      • Facebook
      • E-Newsletter

      Guides

      • Travel
      • Resources
      • Real Estate
      • Business Directory

      Lifestyle

      • Style
      • Health & Fitness
      • Food & Drink
      • Dating & Relationships

      Partner Links

      • RMCVB
      • Gungho Guides
      • GCCR

      Copyright (c) 2018 GayRVA.com | Website Developed By CO+LAB

      GayRVAout. spoken.

      Continue to GayRVA (X)