January 13, 2023

The Rainbow Rodeo Reader's Choice Awards!

Howdy, cowpokes!

I hope 2023 has been a smooth ride so far. Thank you to everyone who voted in our reader's survey! Without much further ado, let's get into it!

Favorite Albums

The following albums got multiple votes

• Adeem the Artist -- White Trash Revelry

• Lavender Country -- Blackberry Rose and Other Songs and Sorrows

• Sarah Shook and the Disarmers -- Nightroamer

• Paisley Fields -- Limp Wrist

Honorable mentions:

• Jake Blount -- The New Faith

• Big Thief -- Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You

• Orville Peck -- Bronco

What was the best queer country even in 2023?

• The Kentucky Gentlemen at the Black Opry Showcase at the CMA Fest -- Sean

• Queerfest in Nashville looked super cool -- Brittany Ann Tranbaugh

• I finally got to see Sarah Shook & the Disarmers live -- Liz Gartley

• I absolutely loved seeing all the buzz around Adeem the Artist. A beautiful collection of moments. Apart from a superb album, their story is one that needs to continue to be shared. My wish is that it allows for others to follow in their bootsteps. -- Soda Cantor

What was the worst queer country event in 2023?

• The passing of Patrick Haggerty, who created Lavender Country. (Multiple responses)

• That transphobic instagram thing with the straight pop country star I forget her name lol -- Brittany Ann Tranbaugh

• In the midst of so many horrific events that the queer community faced, I was absolutely disgusted by the entire Brittany Aldean controversy and especially the spotlight given to such an unremarkable "celebrity." From her ignorant and graceless statements to the media response---I still have not found the words to describe how this hurt my heart for all the children across this country and world that could be impacted by her views. -- Soda Cantor

What queer country things do you hope to see in 2023?

• More tours and more artists in major festivals -- multiple responses

• A breakthrough hit, one that is undeniably queer, but it makes no difference...it's just a good song and album that blows everyone away. -- Elliot Novak

• Paisley Fields dominating the world. Each tour list continues to grow and I can't wait to see more from them in 2023. -- Soda Cantor

What do you want to see from Rainbow Rodeo in 2023?

• More album reviews

• IRL meetups

As a matter of fact, I've got something in the works that will enable both of those things to happen, ETA March 2023! But if you'd like to see more articles, interviews, and reviews, I gotta pay writers! Subscribe on Patreon!

Album Releases

Here are all of the queer country album releases this month! Let me know if I should add something to the list!

• 1/6 — Joel Brogon, Where Do We Go From Here

• 1/6 — Amy Martin, Travelin’ On

Rainbow Roundup

• You can get almost 50% off the book Queer Country using this code: F21UIP

• This thread gives advice on self-managed transition in Alabama and other states that restrict our bodily autonomy

Podcast Spotlight

Libsyn Directory

Hey, there, cowpokes. It's episode 8 of Rainbow Rodeo and I'm speaking with Adeem the Artist.   We spoke two days after the release of their breakout album White Trash Revelry. This episode is a little odd because we were both in kind of weird headspaces and spent a looong time talking about the music industry and how Adeem feels about hitting their stride. Adeem really lays out, step-by-step, how they got to where they are now. I left most of that in the cut for the -- which you can listen to for a mere $4 a year!   To learn more about Adeem's story, you can find .   As a reminder, you can keep up with your favorite queer country artists by subscribing to the weekly !   SONG LIST   "For Judas" -- Adeem the Artist (1:38) "Books and Records" -- Adeem the Artist (21:25) "Heritage of Arrogance" -- Adeem the Artist (43:07) "Take Me to the Water Prayer" -- Jake Blount (49:49) "Going to Hell" -- Adeem the Artist (53:25)  

Subscribe to the Rainbow Rodeo podcast! Tune in to my interview with Adeem the Artist about their sudden notoriety. The next episode will be an interview with Canadicana artist Mariel Buckley!

Join Our Discord!

Chat with fans and artists on our Discord server! So far we've shared press contacts, geeked out about our favorite albums, and discussed our favorite manga and sci-fi. Reply to this e-mail to get the address. :)

Events

• 1/21 - 1/22 — Country Soul Songbook is throwing its third annual Summit — now in-person in Durham, NC or online! This is a really fantastic weekend of panels and performances by, for, and about LGBTQ+ and BIPOC country and Americana artists

• 4/15 & 16 — The High Water Festival in Savannah, GA will feature a number of queer artists like Rainbow Kitten Surprise, SG Goodman, Orville Peck, Ezra Furman, and the Black Opry. Who’s buying a ticket for me?

Rainbow Rodeo Playlist

Updated every two weeks!

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7HYDPcZuT9eG70LID0EoJe?si=60268d01c3d24e3e

Thanks to Catie Pearl-Hartling for making a parallel list on Apple Music!

Thanks to Heike Hausmann for making a parallel list on Tidal!

Artist Resources

• Submit your music and events to The Q LGBTQ Creative Network

• This Twitter thread has a whole list of places to find jobs in the music industry

• And here’s a list of resources for “women” entering the music industry — presumably they also encourage nonbinary participants

• Submit your profile to the Country Everywhere which seeks to unite BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disabled artists and professionals

• Sign up to the Black Opry Revue’s interest form!

• Check out the weekly Queerfolk Fest show in Nashville