Maren Morris has clearly stated her inclusive worldview in songs like “Dear Hate” with Vince Gill, “Better Than We Found It,” and “Better Man” with Joy Oladakun. In late August, Maren (along with Cassadee Pope and Lindsay Ell) spoke out when Jason Aldean's wife Brittany Aldean made transphobic remarks in a makeup tutorial and then doubled down by selling transphobic sweatshirts. (Still waiting on that cease and desist from Mattel, BTW.)
Despite calls from Tucker Carlson on Fox News's Tucker Carlson Tonight for Maren to leave country music, Maren hasn’t backed down from this conversation. She’s raised more than $150,000 for LGBTQ+ causes in the last month, and SHE sought out joining me on Proud Radio to talk about it all. I’m so grateful for her voice and her real-world allyship. In this clip from this Sunday’s show, Maren shines a light on the LGBTQ+ kids who listen to country music and are put at further risk of being bullied, ostracized and driven to attempt suicide by bigoted comments from Brittany and her pals Candace and Matt Walsh here in Nashville at Daily Wire.
Maren and Jake Blount join me on Proud Radio this Sunday at 5pm ET on Apple Music Country. I’m also playing a TON of new music from LGBTQ+ artists like trans icon Mya Byrne, Adeem the Artist, Brady Riley, Brent Snyder, Man of the Minch, Janelle Monáe, Melissa Carper, Heartthrob Andereson, Brandi Carlile, SAM SMITH, Kim Petras, & Spencer Jordan Music. Plus the new track from Joy Oladokun and Chris Stapleton!
Proud Radio is on demand for Apple Music subscribers. Apple.co/proud
The great Brittney Spencer singing in between performances from Kenny Chesney and George Strait at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum induction of Dean Dillon !! 🔥🙏😭💅
Willie Nelson on Leading a Crowd
Willie Nelson’s sharing stories about his life and music with me at 92nd Street Y Online on 6/29! Ticket includes a copy of Willie's new book, "Letters to America." Purshcase: https://www.92y.org/event/hunter-kelly-and-willie-nelson
In his new book, “Letters to America,” Willie writes about going to see his friend Leon Russell perform and forge a deep connection with his audience through music. Leon told the audience they’d believe anything he said at that moment because of that connection and warned them to be careful who they let take them to that vulnerable place. I asked Willie about artists bearing that responsibility to their audience and how you know when to and when to not trust a leader speaking to a big crowd.
D'orjay The Singing Shaman on PROUD Radio!
