It’s pretty clear that nobody in Music City wants to take a stand in support of gay country performers. It was obvious when CMT could only find FOUR stars on social media supporting TY HERNDONand BILLY GILMAN for coming out.
Well, there’s a video featuring several performers being asked if Nashville is ready for an openly gay superstar. The interviews took place BEFORE Ty and Billy came out, and some of them look like they’d rather have a tooth pulled than answer the question.
Here are some of the responses:
KIP MOORE totally tried to sidestep it, quote, “That’s not for me to even talk about.”
BIG KENNY ALPHIN was over-the-top: Quote, “Oh hell, I’m gay. I’m so happy, and happy and gay! My answer to that is who gives a flop. Whatever people want to do if they’re out there making music it’s all right by me.”
LEE BRICE thinks it’s just around the corner: Quote, “It’s going to be tough, but I think anything could happen. This world’s changing. I think it’s getting close to time.”
COLE SWINDELL danced around the question, quote, “I don’t know, you know? I would think that country music can handle anything. I’m here to do my music and promote music in my genre. Whatever does that, I’m not one to judge anyone.”
CHARLES KELLEY is all-in: Quote, “I certainly would accept it. It doesn’t bother me one bit. At the end of the day it’s about great songs.”
TRISHA YEARWOOD said what everyone secretly knows: Quote, “It would be naive to say we’ve never had a closeted gay country artist. But I think that day is coming.”
KELLIE PICKLER kind of nailed it. She said, quote, “A great song is a great song. A great artist is a great artist. I don’t think it matters what they prefer in the bedroom.”
(Listen to the audio here. Scroll about half way and click on “Is country music homophobic?”)
Meanwhile . . . TMZ asked RICKY SKAGGS for his take on Ty and Billy. He said, quote, “It’s not my message. It’s not what my heart is about. So, I love everybody.”
He was also asked if he thinks the country community will accept them. His answer to that was, well, weird, quote, “I hope so. We’re all sinners.” (Here’s the link.)
KENNY CHESNEY will be given the Groundbreaker Award at next month’s “American Country Countdown Awards”. He’ll be honored for his “creative innovation, musical accomplishments and role in expanding the genre.” (People)
JAKE OWEN debuted the video for his song “What We Ain’t Got” on ET.com.
KELLY CLARKSON performed the LITTLE BIG TOWN song “Girl Crush” at a free concert on Saturday in Cerritos, California.
MIRANDA LAMBERT opened her Redemption Ranch no-kill animal shelter over the weekend. It’s in her hometown of Tishomingo, Oklahoma and it’s not too shabby. There’s an intensive care unit, large kennels, new fencing, an Airstream office, and a capacity for 50 dogs. (Full Story)