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15 Country Albums for the Queer Woman’s Music Collection

It’s often accepted as a universal truth that country music, as a genre, isn’t so kind to queer folk. But when Chely Wright came out and was hailed as the “first openly gay country singer,” it wasn’t completely true. Queer women have been singing country songs just as long as the rest America, even if they don’t always identify with the good ole American girls and boys each tune tends to be about.

In case you are into some twang, here are 15 albums we reckon you’d like to take a listen to, all from LGBT women, from 1989 up through 2014. Karen Pittelman leads the quartet in slow songs about heartbreak while Elana Redfield plays the pedal steel guitar to perfection. There’s even a song called “Tender Buttons” we’re going to assume is named after the Gertrude Stein book. Julia Steele Allen is joined by co-conspirator Owen Taylor with beautiful boy/girl duets and dueling uke, banjo, guitar, piano and bass. “Don’t you want me, to want you back?” they sing on “Like Magic,” a romantic ballad about running out of time. A talented songwriter who has written hits for Jennifer Nettles, Kacey Musgraves and Miranda Lambert, Brandy released her own album with the unforgettable single “Stripes.” If you like modern country music, it’s inevitable you’ve heard (and loved) Brandy’s work. Songs like “Caroline” make Brandi’s third album one of her most country, as she tends to be more Americana and folk-pop. Although lesbian fans might like to see the song as an ode to a woman Brandi left behind at home while on the road, it’s actually about her toddler niece. k.d. is the most successful out country vocalist, which people forget as she’s taken a more classical pop turn in more recent years. Absolute Torch and Twang is country through and through, with tracks about troubles and worries and the song “Big Boned Gal.” While The Indigo Girls skew more folk than country, Amy’s latest solo effort ventured into darker territory with the sadder, less esoteric “More Pills” (“If I had more pills, I’d take ’em. If I had more songs to sing. More days for day-breaking. My heart is aching for you.”) Speaking of dark, Chely’s return to country music as an out lesbian includes a song called “Notes to the Coroner.” Although “Single White Female” was a little more lighter fare, Chely shows off her real feelings, thoughts and ideas on Lifted. Original member Kristen Hall was an out lesbian who left after the album came out, but her songwriting influence is apparent on the catchy title track and other songs about living without worrying about what other people think and the times they try to knock you down. (“I may stumble, yeah I might fall. Only human aren’t we all? I might lose my way, but hear me when I say, I will stand back up.”) After American Idol, Crystal came out as bisexual, which made her queer fans very happy. All That for This shows a softer side of the often Janis Joplin-esque blues and soul singer. She melds several genres together in songs like “Til The Whiskey’s Gone.” A prolific singer/songwriter, Mary has been recording music since 1990 and Dixie Kitchen is just one of her great albums. “Ever Easy” is a great story about loving and losing, and trying to get past the hurt. “Mama Louisiana” is a soulful dedication to her home state. Heather McEntire fronts the trio whose debut LP is focused largely on songs about spirituality and sexuality. There’s a strong rock ‘n roll element, but Heather’s Southern Baptist influence are definitely apparent on songs like “Bright Light.” An accomplished drummer, Sera is also an incredible songwriter with lines like, “Forget you in the summer, by fall I always want you back.” She’s got romance in even the saddest of songs, and her voice is sexy as all get out. While we’re talking sexy voices, Lindsay Fuller’s deep alto vibrato is a must for any fan of Johnny Cash. The antithesis of pop country, Lindsay’s songs aren’t formulaic and expected. Instead, they are challenging, full and fun. You can often see her playing shows with Amy Ray. The Erase Errata frontwoman has been known for post-punk and feminist indie rock but her collaboration with midwest country man William Elliott Whitmore produced one fine collection of delightful banjo-tinged songs. “Marrow” is an upbeat ditty about commitment and promises of Jenny’s daddy “being a real good shot.” Old school country all the way. This 1989 offering was a little bit of a departure for the out lesbian folkster, but with producer Teresa Trull, Cris proved she had the chops to sing stories of a different kind. “Calamity Jane,” for instance, is a real delight: “Calamity Jane, queen of the plane, an Angel of Mercy around the range.”

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