The Osborne brothers bring an inclusive message to the CMA stage
Nashville, Tennessee (Associated Press)-When the Osborne Brothers took the stage at the CMA Awards on Wednesday, the award-winning duo will convey a powerful message for fans who sometimes feel that they are outsiders. Information-they know this experience very well.
The brothers from Deere, Maryland, have made their private lives and personal struggles public in recent months, and lead singer TJ talked publicly about his anxiety as gay and guitarist John.
The song “Young Me” they will play is a sharp reminder that it has indeed become better. They are proof.
“In fact, we can play such a meaningful song at the country music awards ceremony, especially for myself. This is one of the things that transcends the award itself, money itself, and fame,” TJ Osborne said.
The duo, which has won CMA awards four times, will receive three awards, including the “Skull” album of the year. This is the first time they have been nominated in this category.
Even recording their album felt like a series of obstacles to overcome. They initially had to postpone the recording, and John Osborne took a vacation to receive treatment to deal with severe depression and anxiety, so much so that he was seriously rethinking his music career.
“I had to leave. I had to turn off the phone. I had to stay away from my family,” John Osborne said. “I have to start over.”
One thing he learned is that if he presses the pause button, the world will not end.
When they resumed recording, TJ was plagued by salmonella poisoning, and then a tornado struck Nashville in March 2020, causing power outages in the East Nashville community where they were recording.
When they went back to finish the album, the coronavirus pandemic and shutdown had already begun.
“So, there is an element in recording’Skeletons’ that feels like the end of an era, you know,” John Osborne said. “I thought at the time that this might actually be the last record we made in our lives, let us record it. It still feels like this to me. We threw all the chips on the table.”
The story goes on
Although TJ Osborne disclosed his sexuality to his close friends and family, his doubts prevented him from deciding when to announce it publicly. Other country artists waited for years to come out publicly, such as Chely Wright and later Ty Herndon, on the grounds that this might have an impact on their careers.
Although there are currently many other openly gay artists and songwriters working in the field of country music, including Brandi Carlisle, Brandi Clark, Brook Eden, Shane McNally, and Lily Rose, Osborne Is one of the most famous artists.
“Country music is a wonderful genre,” said John Osborne. “But there has always been this kind of undercurrent… There is a vault and only certain people are allowed to enter. But when you go to the show, you will see people from all walks of life enjoying it.”
TJ Osborne’s decision to come out publicly also prompted them to resolve the divisive political dialogue about LGBTQ issues, especially in Tennessee. Tennessee has taken the lead in enacting new laws for transgender people, including prohibiting transgender athletes from participating in sports in women’s public schools.
Earlier this year, when a state legislator vetoed a proposed state resolution in tribute to TJ Osborne, they met with Republican state Rep. Jeremy Faison at lunch to talk.
TJ Osborne said: “This conveys to a certain extent the message that homosexual or LGBTQ people may be true, and true is still not accepted in this state.” “Although this may be true in some areas of our state. Yes, but I don’t think Nashville is like it. I think it’s a very acceptable city.”
After the resolution was blocked, the Osborne brothers released their “Young Me” music video with the steps of the State Capitol as the background.
This black and white video, nominated for the CMA Music Video of the Year, features lyrics by the band and several young people.
The Osborne brothers hope that others will see different messages from the Capitol—inclusiveness and acceptance.
TJ Osborne said: “There is another big sport here… They are accepting and will speak out, and will support you with open arms.” “And you are not alone.”
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online:
https://www.brothersosborne.com/
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Follow Kristin M. Hall on https://twitter.com/kmhall
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This story has been updated to correct the spelling of TJ Osborne’s name without a period.
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