Zach Caldwell Posted November 21, 2014 Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 Today, two well known country music stars have come out. Billy GIlman and Ty Herndon. http://www.queerty.com/country-star-billy-gilman-comes-out-says-ty-herndon-inspired-him-20141120 ken barber 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken barber Posted November 21, 2014 Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 Billy Gilman good for him. He is from my home town and went to elementary school with my little brother. I had met the kid when he was very young and glad to see he has this weight off his shoulders. I wish him all the best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zach Caldwell Posted November 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 I have to say, these two men surprised me. I am usually pretty good at spotting those who are on my team. Billy and Ty did not register on my radar. Regardless, I wish them all the best in life and love. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken barber Posted November 21, 2014 Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 Well actually everyone around here are all saying "well duh" if you knew him as a kid....not a surprise but I of course wish him the best and hope this doesn't get used against him in his career Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zach Caldwell Posted November 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 Here is Billy in his own words. Thank you Billy, for being true to yourself. You have my support, always have and always will. D'Artagnon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zach Caldwell Posted November 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 Well actually everyone around here are all saying "well duh" if you knew him as a kid....not a surprise but I of course wish him the best and hope this doesn't get used against him in his career Unless I misunderstood, in his personal video, it seemed he was saying that the mere rumors of his being gay was enough to affect his career in Nashville. I hope a label picks him up or he is able to start his own label. He has talent and a good voice. I would very much love to hear that voice in music again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken barber Posted November 21, 2014 Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 The Rumors have made his career difficult. He still comes back every year and does a show at the Washington County Fair (The Local Fall Festival he was talking about), Everyone here knew he was gay and no one cares, but of course this is Rhode Island its a pretty you do your thing and I will do my thing kind of state. I am hoping by coming out he can get ahead of this and be successful. D'Artagnon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zach Caldwell Posted November 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 Yes, I want him to be very successful. He has talent and I fell in love with his albums and enjoyed watching him grow up and mature. I very much hope he is able to get things on track and make the music industry like like dicks for their ignorance. I very much hope that I get the pleasure of attending a future concert. I get the feeling he is determined and will achieve whatever goals he has for himself. ken barber 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D'Artagnon Posted November 21, 2014 Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 Country music is a very niche oriented industry. Like with most popular music, the sex appeal of the artists sells as much as the actual music. In the modern rock scene, for example, a gifted musician such as Tom Petty would never have made it, compared to the pretty but empty performances of "made for TV and to make girl's thighs wet" boy bands. I'm not familiar with Billy Gilman, but I hope that his coming out doesn't affect his career any. Saying that, I live in the south, and the folk here abouts tend to shy away from anyone who's even suspected of being gay. The appearance of a thing doesn't equal a thing, we all know that. But in a culture of fear and image, appearing to be "other" can be a detriment in the eyes of some. Sadly, that "some" is in the majority. Good Luck guys! I'm not a fan, but I am a man, and we all have it tough enough without being stigmatized and penalized for being outside the "expectations." Stay true to yourselves, stay true to your music and be ever proud of who you are. ken barber 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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