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12 Gay Country Singers: You Should Be Listening To

12 Gay Country Singers: Even though the country music industry is still actively pursuing equality and inclusivity, the rise of social media and the popularity of streaming music have made it easier for LGBTQ musicians to connect with fans and grow their fan bases. Notwithstanding the traditional and conservative values of the genre, a new wave of motivated LGBTQ+ country musicians is breaking down barriers in the industry and dispelling stereotypes.

12 Gay Country Singers You Should Be Listening To

The singers on this list are trailblazers who continue to shatter stereotypes and open doors for up-and-coming LGBTQ+ artists in the country music industry. These are the top 30 LGBTQ+ country music artists that you ought to be familiar with.

1. Brandi Carlile

Bandi Carlile is one of the greatest Americana and country musicians ever. The lesbian singer has released seven studio albums and been nominated for eighteen Grammy Awards during her career. Along with performing solo, she has written and produced songs for country music legend Tanya Tucker and collaborated with Natalie Hemby, Amanda Shires, and Maren Morris in the supergroup The Highwomen.

2. T.J Osborne

In 2021, T.J., who is half of the country duet The Brothers Osborne, came out as gay. He keeps recording music with his group. The group won its first Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance since T.J. was released in addition to an Academy of Country Music Award for Vocal Duo of the Year.

3. Lil Nas X

The number one country crossover hit “Old Town Road” served as Lil Nas X’s breakthrough single, despite the fact that he primarily writes pop and hip-hop music. This country rap song peaked at number 19 on the Billboard Hot Country chart before being taken off the list.

4. Brandy Clark

Lesbian singer-composer Brandy Clark was nominated for a Grammy in 2015 for Best New Performer. Her credits as a songwriter include songs for Miranda Lambert, the Band Perry, Reba McEntire, LeAnn Rimes, Darius Rucker, and Kacey Musgraves, in addition to her own successful country releases.

5. Shane McAnally

This gay producer and composer is among the best in the country music scene. Along with producing albums like Kacey Musgraves’ Same Trailer Different Park and Pageant Material, he has written songs for singers such as Kelly Clarkson, Kelsea Ballerini, Sam Hunt, Walker Hayes, Old Dominion, and Midland.

6. Lily Rose

Lily Rose became the first-ever country music artist to win the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Music Artist in 2024. She also belongs to the 2024 class of CMT’s Next Women of Country.

7. Orville Peck

Orville Peck’s rich voice and fringed mask allow him to sing slow-burning country ballads that will make any cowboy cry. He has released the albums Pony and Bronco.

8. Paisley Fields

Paisley Fields had been performing under that name long before he made it official. “I believe that in the ten years that I have been performing as Paisley Fields, I have grown a lot as a person. I think of myself as more non-binary, so maybe Paisley would be a better name for me.

9. Chely Wright

Wright began her career in country music in secret, but as her notoriety grew, she decided to come out of hiding. Her autobiography and CD Lifted Off the Ground were released in 2010. The album explores her coming-out experience in great detail and is among the best country albums of the 2010s.

10. Waylon Payne

Payne is the son of musician Jody Payne and country music vocalist Sammi Smith. After coming out as gay and admitting that an uncle had sexually assaulted him, he was rejected by his family. In 2004, he put out the album The Drifter. He has recorded songs with a number of musicians, such as Lee Ann Womack and Miranda Lambert.

11. Brooke Eden

After her American Idol audition, Brooke Eden began a career in country music. She revealed her sexual orientation and engagement to Hilary Hoover in 2021. Brooke Eden and Welcome to the Weekend, her two EPs, were also released in that year.

12. Allison Russell

Canadian musician Russell played in the bands Po’ Girl, Birds of Chicago, and Our Native Daughters before releasing her debut solo album Outside Child in 2021. Two more Grammy nominations were given to the single “Nightflyer,” and the album was nominated for one Grammy for Best Americana Album.

Conclusion

An LGBT country music artist would have been unimaginable. It would not have been well received by society back then because many people were not as accepting as they are now. These days, society has advanced and changed, becoming more tolerant of other people’s choices. It has become more comfortable for artists of all stripes to be authentic. Actually, the crop of singers in the country genre is becoming more representative and diverse.