Maren Morris, Brothers Osborne, Sheryl Crow & More To Join ‘Love Rising’ LGBTQ+ Benefit Concert
The show is being labeled as “A celebration of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
Maren Morris; Photo by Andy Barron
On March 20, Live Nation will present Love Rising, a star-studded benefit concert for a variety of LGBTQ+ organizations including the Tennessee Equality Project, inclusion tennessee, OUTMemphis and The Tennessee Pride Chamber.
The event will be held at Nashville’s Bridgestone arena and feature performances by Sheryl Crow, Maren Morris, Jason Isbell, Hayley Williams, Hozier, Brittany Howard, Brothers Osborne, Amanda Shires, Julien Baker, Joy Oladokun, Yola, Jake Wesley Rogers, Mya Byrne and Allison Russell and the Rainbow Coalition Band, and more.
“As a queer, intersectional artist and mother, raising my child in Nashville, it’s important to me to support these wonderful Tennessee LGBTQIA+ advocacy organizations, working so hard to build bridges, reduce harm and promote equality for all Tennesseans,” says Russell. “LGBTQIA+ contributions and creativity are foundational to every genre of modern song and arts performance. I think it speaks volumes that so many in our community are feeling the same call to support, celebrate and uplift!”
These artists who continue to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community will come together in light of the newly added anti-LGBTQIA+ laws in the state of Tennessee.
Most recently, Tennessee became the first state ever to criminalize drag performances with the passing of new legislation signed into law by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. As of April 1, all performances deemed male or female impersonation otherwise known as “drag” will be banned from taking place on any public property in the state as well as in any location where people under 18 could be present.
The second new law will ban gender-affirming health care for the state’s minors who are transgender or nonbinary. Senate Bill 0001, which takes effect on July 1, 2023, “prohibits health care providers from performing on a minor or administering to a minor a medical procedure if the performance or administration of the procedure is for the purpose of enabling a minor to identify with, or live as, a purported identity inconsistent with the minor’s sex.”
According to a press release by the Human Rights Campaign, “these two bills bring the total to 14, including two bathroom bans, three laws preventing transgender students from playing sports consistent with their gender identity, a law allowing discrimination by state contractors providing child welfare services paid for with taxpayer funds, curriculum censorship bills, and more.”
“SB3/HB9 and SB1/HB1 are clearly targeted attacks on Tennesseans who haven’t done anything wrong,” Jason Isbell added. “These bills add up to an attempt to eradicate a valuable part of our community and force good people to live in fear. We can’t in good conscience just stand by and let that happen.”
Several of these critically acclaimed singer/songwriters took to social media to share the news of this upcoming concert, including Brothers Osborne who dubbed this event, “an important one.”
“Art & community are, and have always been, oppression’s medicine. 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈” Morris wrote on Instagram. “Let’s show these politicians that they do not speak for all of Tennessee. Love will prevail. All ages are welcome.”
“Love is always more powerful than hate and fear💗” Crow said in her announcement.
The Looking Out Foundation will support the event by accepting donations and doubling contributions received, up to a maximum of $100,000. This organization was founded in 2008 by multiple Grammy winning artists Brandi Carlile, Tim and Phil Hanseroth as a way to use the power of music to help those without a voice by funding causes and organizations that often go unnoticed.
Tickets go on sale beginning Wednesday, March 8 at 10AM local time with net proceeds benefiting these LGBTQ+ organizations. Those hoping to attend can purchase their tickets HERE.
Madeleine O’Connell graduated from North Central College with a bachelors degree in Journalism and Broadcast Communications before deciding to pursue her studies further at DePaul University. There, she earned her masters degree in Digital Communication & Media Arts. O’Connell served as a freelance writer for over two years while also interning with the Academy of Country Music, SiriusXM and Circle Media and assisting with Amazon Music’s Country Heat Weekly podcast. In addition to Country Now, she has been published in American Songwriter, Music Mayhem, and Holler.Country. Madeleine O’Connell is a member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.
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