Queer Country on Back to the Country 4/9/25

Howdy Friends, Just a heads up that I will once again be hosting Back to the Country on WORT FM tomorrow morning from 9am-noon (CST) and that the theme this week will be "Queer Country." In response to the daily onslaught of nonsensical and punitive legislation targeting gay and trans communities all over this country, I think it's (long past) time to shine to a light on some of the amazing LGBTQ+ artists in the country music field.

Sure, there'll be some of the expected jams by Lavender Country, Wilma Burgess, k.d. lang, Chely Wright, and Orville Peck, but there are also hundreds of other amazing and queer country artists to promote. It's an exciting time for country music. The show will feature several hilarious and touching coming-out stories as well as an extended interview with my critically-acclaimed songwriter friend Abigail Austin (formerly Austin Lucas), as well as a tribute to my very recently departed friend Cary Canary (formerly Davy Jay Sparrow--R.I.P., my friend!). Prepare to laugh, cry, get angry, and dance your socks off!

9am-noon (cst) on 4/9. You can tune in via 89.9fm in Southern WI, streaming on wortfm.org or via the WORT app.

Nate Gibson & Patrick Haggerty of Lavender Country, Bloomington, IN circa 2011

Cary Canary [formerly, Davy Jay Sparrow] & Nate Gibson, Bloomington, IN 2011

Wisconsin Country Music Showcase this Sunday at Main Street Music in Brooklyn!

Howdy Friends. Back in February I shared the exciting news that the Nate Gibson and the Stardazers show, "Y'all Come: Starday Records in Story in Song," was nominated for a Midwest Country Music Organization award. We were one of of about a dozen Wisconsin acts nominated for this year's Midwest CMO show.

If you'd like to see 11 of the WI nominees from all across the state, we'll all be doing a show together this Sunday, April 6, at Main Street Event Venue in Brooklyn, WI. The show goes from 1-5:00pm and I'll do some kind of 20-minute solo something or other around 1:30. New songs? Maybe. Acoustic songs? Likely. Jaminator songs? Only time will tell!

Other performers on the bill include Lola Blu, Dogtown Hollow, Samantha Grimes, Eric Hagen, Frank Martin Busch, Dan Lepien, McKenna Faith Winters, Dylan Martinson, Mason Meyer, and Bree Morgan. It will most certainly be a great day!

Very much looking forward to hearing everyone on the bill and hope to see some friends out on the town!