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The 2021 Concert for Love and Acceptance will take place on Wednesday, June 30, 2021.
The event returns with a star-studded lineup, co-hosted by country music artist and philanthropist Ty Herndon along with CMT’s Cody Alan. The two have hosted the event together since 2017. GLAAD, MusicCares, and Nashville’s Oasis Center will share in the proceeds from the event. The show will take place at 8:00 p.m. ET and will be live-streamed exclusively on CMT’s Facebook and YouTube channels, and at F4LA.org/concert.
Performers previously announced include Brothers Osborne, Kristin Chenoweth, Terri Clark, Brooke Eden, Harper Grae, Chris Housman, Kathy Mattea, Rissi Palmer, Gretchen Peters, Tenille Townes, Walker County, and Chase Wright. The performers recently added to the lineup include Michael Ray, Lily Rose, Jake Hoot, Jamie Floyd, Paul Cardall, and Cody Belew, as well as comedian Dana Goldberg. Former NFL quarterback Steve Young and his wife Barbara Graham Young, both advocates for LGBTQ equality and acceptance, will make a special appearance together in support of LGBTQ youth.
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In addition, at the concert event Kathy Mattea will receive the second annual Foundation for Love & Acceptance R.A.L.Y. (Rescue A Life, Y’all) Award. The award will be presented to Mattea by Herndon. The award is in recognition of her early advocacy for the LGBTQ community and HIV/AIDS awareness. “It’s an honor to give her the long-overdue recognition she deserves for being a pioneering ally and friend,” said Herndon
The Red-Carpet Countdown, an online event now in its second year that will feature additional appearances and performances in the two hours preceding the Concert for Love & Acceptance. It will stream online exclusively on Ty Herndon’s Facebook channel. Performances include ARLO, Jada Cato, Exit 216, Justin Fabus, The Kentucky Gentlemen, Brandon Stansell, and Jaime Wyatt. Additional Red Carpet Countdown performances and appearances will be announced in the upcoming weeks.
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GLAAD and Herndon created the first Concert for Love and Acceptance in 2015 shortly after Herndon became the first male country artist to come out as gay. Past event appearances and performances have included Vince Gill, Tanya Tucker, Reba McEntire, Brett Young, Jake Owen, Lee Brice, Tyler Rich, Michael Ray, Rita Wilson, Chris Daughtry, Terri Clark, Chris Carmack, Gavin DeGraw, Crystal Gayle, Billy Gilman, Cassadee Pope, Calum Scott, Mickey Guyton, Levi Hummon, Cam, Cale Dodds, Runaway June, Chely Wright, Billy Dean, Hunter Hayes, Brandon Stansell, Meghan Lindsey, Thompson Square, WWE Superstars, Meghan McCain, and more.
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Since the inception of the Concert for Love and Acceptance in 2015, Ty Herndon has served as executive producer along with Zeke Stokes. Stokes is the President of ZS STRATEGIES and a former Vice President of GLAAD. “We’re pleased to welcome Music City PrEP as a first-time partner on this event and looking forward to shining a light on the critical work they do to keep the LGBTQ community healthy and supported in Nashville and beyond,” stated Stokes. Music City PrEP Clinic is the exclusive Presenting Partner of the 2021 Concert for Love and Acceptance. The organization serves to help Middle Tennesseans live an HIV-free life through PrEP medication, education, anti-stigma campaigns, and support.
Co-host, Cody Alan is a well-known and respected veteran personality, producer, and programmer in the broadcast industry, Alan is a past recipient of the ACM National On-Air Personality of the Year award, and host of CMT Hot 20 Countdown, CMT’s flagship music TV show, delivered to over 90 million homes weekly, as well as host and executive producer of CMT After MidNite and CMT Radio Live. “It’s a privilege to return as co-host of the annual Concert For Love & Acceptance, whose mission is as important today as when it launched six years ago. With dangerous and discriminatory legislation pending in our home state of Tennessee, the vocal support of the country music community is immeasurable in changing hearts and minds. I’m eager to again partner with Ty Herndon, CMT, GLAAD, and our new beneficiaries at MusiCares and Nashville’s Oasis Center to highlight the critical work to move LGBTQ+ rights forward.” stated Alan.
About CMT: CMT is the leading authority on country music and lifestyle, offering a mix of original series, music events, and specials. CMT is everywhere its fans are including two cable channels (CMT and the 24-hour music channel, CMT Music), radio (CMT Radio), digital (CMT.com), and social (CMT on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube). CMT is a unit of ViacomCBS Inc. For more information, please visit cmtpress.com.
About The Foundation for Love & Acceptance: Founded by Grammy nominated and Dove Award winning country music artist and philanthropist Ty Herndon, the Foundation for Love & Acceptance uses the power of music and media to support the country music community and raise vital funds to support LGBTQ youth and families. For more information, visit www.F4LA.org.
About GLAAD: GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where everyone can live the life they love. For more information, please visit www.glaad.org or connect with GLAAD on Facebook and Twitter.
About MusiCares: MusiCares helps the humans behind music because music gives so much to the world. Offering preventive, emergency, and recovery programs, MusiCares is a safety net supporting the health and welfare of the music community. Founded by the Recording Academy in 1989 as a U.S. based, independent charity, MusiCares safeguards the well-being of all music people through direct financial grant programs, networks of support resources, and tailored crisis relief efforts. For more information please visit: www.musicares.org
About Oasis Center: Oasis Center is a nonprofit celebrating over 50 years of serving youth in Middle Tennessee with the mission of building relationships that advance youth well-being, amplify youth voice, and inspire action toward a just community. Based in Nashville, Oasis Center provides over 20 unique programs and services – from crisis intervention and youth leadership to community engagement and college and career access dedicated to improving the lives of marginalized youth in Tennessee. For more information about Oasis Center, please visit www.oasiscenter.org.
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