Rita Wilson, Daughtry, Gavin DeGraw, Hunter Hayes & More Show Support For The LGBTQ Community at GLAAD + Ty Herndon 'Concert For Love & Acceptance' In Nashville During Pride Month

GLAAD, LGBTQ media advocacy organization, hosted its 5th Annual GLAAD + Ty Herndon Concert for Love and Acceptance, presented by CMT, Ketel One Family-Made Vodka, and Southwest. Herndon and CMT’s Cody Alan co-hosted the concert, which took place at the iconic Wildhorse Saloon during CMA Fest in Nashville last evening. 

Daughtry performed a special acoustic set at the event, which featured a coalition of artists and celebrities appearing and performing to accelerate acceptance for LGBTQ people. Singer, songwriter actress and producer Rita Wilson performed several hits from her album, Halfway to Home. Surprise guests included Gavin DeGraw and Hunter Hayes, who took the stage to perform.

“This has become the world’s largest LGBTQ country music event, and this year’s incredible lineup sent a powerful message of allyship to kick off LGBTQ Pride month,” said Zeke Stokes, Chief Programs Office at GLAAD and Executive Producer of the 2019 Concert for Love & Acceptance. “Each year, the Concert for Love & Acceptance gets bigger and better, and some of the biggest names in country music as well as up and coming artists are making it a priority stop on their CMA Fest schedule.” 

Pictured above L to R: Tayla Lynn, Brody Ray, Mickey Guyton, Ty Herndon, Rita Wilson, Harper Grae, Brandon Stansell at the 2019 Concert for Love & Acceptance Concert.

Co-host and performer Ty Herdon closed the show with his recently re-recorded 1995 hit “What Mattered Most.” Herndon came out in 2014 and chose to update the lyrics of the song with male pronouns to reflect his true identity and to make a powerful statement within country music in honor of Pride Month. The video for the new version of “What Mattered Most” was released this past week. The 2019 Concert for Love & Acceptance also included appearances and performances by Herndon, Chely Wright, Harper Grae, Tayla Lynn, Billy Gilman, Brody Ray, Brandon Stansell, Antigone Rising, Lee Brice, Tyler Rich, Mickey Guyton, and WWE Superstars Sonya Deville, Paige, and Mandy Rose.

During last year’s Concert for Love & Acceptance, GLAAD also announced the Ty Herndon Rising Stars Grant, bestowed upon young people for their commitment to enhancing LGBTQ inclusion and representation in music. The grant is eligible to LGBTQ young people who are working to accelerate acceptance in the music industry. Applications for the grant are now available at glaad.org/risingstars.