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NASHVILLE — Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Allison Russell was returning to Nashville from a long tour earlier this month when she saw the news: Gov. Bill Lee (R) signed several laws that would make Tennessee the first state to allow drag shows criminalize, restrict performances in public places with the possible punishment of imprisonment – as well as follow other states in banning gender-affirming health care and medical treatment for transgender youth.
Russell is one of many musicians in the city who were appalled by these new laws (which came into force on March 1st).
“I am a queer black mother living in Nashville and I am a survivor of much childhood abuse. … When I hear our elected officials make horrific, defamatory, inflammatory statements that equate transgender people or people who practice drag with some form of child abuse or child nurturing, I take it very, very personally,” Russell said. She has a 9-year-old daughter who learned about the Holocaust, and it’s all intertwined for Russell.
“So often when we talk about past atrocities, we like to say, ‘How did this happen?’ It hit me so hard: that’s exactly how it happened — it happened little by little,” she said. “If we don’t start making a concerted effort to build coalitions that care about equality, that fight bigotry, and that really make noise, we’re going to be part of ‘How did that happen?’ while some amazing people stood by and said nothing.”
This led to Russell taking the lead in creating Love Rising, a nearly four-hour benefit concert at the Bridgestone Arena on Monday night featuring performances by about 20 singer-songwriters and performances by nearly as many drag queens, with proceeds going to LGBTQ organizations went to Tennessee.
“I love this crazy state. I love it. I love it hard but I’m mad about it. I don’t know if it will change. But what if? What if?” said Ruby Amanfu, who joined Russell and transgender soul artist Shea Diamond to sing “A Beautiful Noise,” a ballad she co-wrote for Alicia Keys and Brandi Carlile. “Sometimes your voice is yours Voice.”
The line-up was primarily a mix of country, Americana, folk, and rock singers. The majority of the mainstream country music community, often driven by the fear of offending conservative fans, hasn’t even touched the subject. But country star Maren Morris turned up for a solo performance as the closing act, introduced by Asia O’Hara, the evening’s host and former RuPaul’s Drag Race competitor.
O’Hara, without naming names, brought up the incident last fall in which country star Jason Aldean’s wife, influencer Brittany Aldean, posted an Instagram caption that was widely criticized as transphobic. After Morris fired back at Aldean and called her “riot Barbie,” Aldean went to Fox News with Tucker Carlson, who called Morris a “maniac.” Morris has launched a line of “Lunatic Country Music Person” t-shirts, sales of which go to organizations that support transgender people.
Some of these shirts were spotted in the crowd as Morris took the stage, where she noted that she had taken her young son to the sound check earlier and he “freaked out” with excitement as she took him to the dressing room where the drag queens were finished .
“It’s just magical what drag queens do… the smell of hairspray and wig glue, there’s glitter, everyone’s in a good mood, they’re so excited to be here tonight for this show, it’s just a space of love,” said Morris. She decided to perform her Grammy-nominated song “Better Than We Found It,” in which she wrote about hoping to leave the world “a little bit better than we’re in right now” for future generations.
“Yes, I introduced my son to some drag queens today,” Morris added. “So Tennessee: Damn, arrest me.”
Since making the switch about a decade ago, singer-songwriter Mya Byrne has worked hard to showcase her music and help other artists in her community build careers. “So many trans people just feel like there’s no place for them in country and Americana,” she said in an interview.
Byrne was thrilled when she received a text message from Russell asking if she could attend the concert. One of the things she wanted to convey during her time on stage was that “it’s easy to love trans people”.
“It doesn’t take a lot of energy to do that—it just takes love,” Byrne said. “In the face of all this madness, we can come together as human beings and celebrate not despite our differences, but for our differences.”
On Monday night, Byrne sang alongside partner Swan Real, also a transgender woman, on the biggest stage she’s ever performed on. They sang “It Don’t Fade” about how even in dark times there is still sunshine. They ended up holding each other and kissing while the audience applauded wildly. “Protect trans love, everyone!” Real shouted.
Byrne was introduced by musician Cidny Bullens, who told the crowd that he recorded with Rod Stewart, performed with Bob Dylan and released his own albums – all while he was “Cindy Bullens, my former self”.
“My friends and colleagues here in Nashville have supported me throughout my transition and want me to continue to thrive now. But the state of Tennessee does not support me, other transgender people, nonbinary people, or anyone in our broader LGBTQIA+ community,” Bullens said to loud boos from the audience. He brought up a recent law passed in the Tennessee House of Representatives that would give county officials the power to refuse marriages in which they personally do not believe. “They targeted humanity. They aimed at love. It can’t be because we won’t let it happen.”
Other artists shared their personal backstories, including Izzy Heltai, a folk singer who came out as trans as a teenager and lived in Massachusetts before moving to Nashville. “There are laws denying health care to trans youth that are being passed. That means some kids don’t get what they need to be comfortable, and I was one of those kids,” he said before playing “All of This Beauty” on guitar. “And I know if I was living in a condition like this and being denied what I needed to be here, I definitely wouldn’t be here.”
Adeem the Artist, who identifies as pansexual and non-binary, captured the mixed feelings expressed by several singers, calling the night “an odd juxtaposition of jubilation and fear.”
“Fear for my child, fear for my career, for my livelihood, for my safety,” Adeem continued. “I live in East Tennessee in a state that wants to criminalize my own identity. So I’m going to sing an unrequited love song, and tonight I’m going to sing it to the mountains of this beautiful state and all the ways it wants to harm me.”
The fans came to the concert with rainbow flags and t-shirts that read “Love is Love” and “Don’t Mess With Trans Kids” and in the case of a couple of friends, “Our Governor Is a Drag”.
Others agreed that they wanted to support the cause, stressing that the new laws do not reflect the views of the state as a whole.
“We’re here to celebrate diversity and the fact that despite the passage of the law, Nashville is a welcoming city and you all mean it,” said Beth Joslin Roth, who attended the show with her daughter Avery; They both wore sparkling rainbow tiaras. “It’s scary for the young trans people that the legislation will affect, and it’s really just detrimental to the LGBTQ community as a whole.”
“I haven’t been in Nashville long, but with all the laws, I find it really disheartening to see her in my new home,” said Gabby Raymond. “But it’s very encouraging to see everyone raging a bit, all together, in unison and in harmony.”
Attendees raved about the cast, particularly the presence of rock legend Sheryl Crow, who performed “Every Day is Winding Road” and “Hard to Make a Stand,” as well as Americana stars Jason Isbell, Yola and Brittany Howard. Isbell helped with the event, adding it was “embarrassing” to see the new laws, which are “a concerted effort to marginalize anyone who is different”.
In an interview, Isbell — known for speaking openly about political and social issues — didn’t seem shocked that more country stars didn’t join the show.
“If your only concern is to make money and sell as many records as possible, you won’t comment on things like that,” he said. “For me, and I think a lot of like-minded artists on this bill, there are more important things than money and record sales and streaming sales. … In order for us to be happy and fulfilled in our work, we need to use art for something bigger.”
Isbell performed his song “Cover Me Up” accompanied by his wife, musician Amanda Shires. “It’s a love song. Everyone deserves that love,” he said. Shires also sang “Crowded Table” with Morris, their supergroup member Highwomen, as well as with Russell and Joy Oladokun. Paramore’s Hayley Williams sang a cover of Deana Carter’s “Did I Shave My Legs for This?” alongside a drag queen. The concert ended with joint singalongs of “I’m Every Woman” and “We Are Family” led by Yola and Howard.
One goal of the event was to remind lawmakers how many millions of dollars of LGBTQ entrepreneurs are pouring into the state and how that could impact the economy if they are ousted. “It’s living example after living example of local artists contributing to the creativity and, quite frankly, the income of this Tennessee community,” said Hunter Kelly, host of Apple Music’s Proud Radio, one of the organizers of the event , which is hosting a follow-up event at the local town winery on Tuesday night. Russell also hoped the show could dispel misinformation about drag and the transgender community. And she hoped people would take comfort in banding together — especially since an event like this, featuring drag queens and kids, will be technically against the law in just over a week.
“Music is transformative. Concerts are transformative,” she said. “We did this against the clock because we need to do the show before it becomes illegal — so people understand why it’s wrong for it to become illegal.”